Nanjing, China(471 views)

Release date:2011-05-13 01:34:00

Nanjing or ‘Ning’ in short is the capital of Jiangsu Province, China. Nanjing, which means ‘Southern Capital’, is also known as Nanking in English. It is situated in the lower Yangtze River drainage basin and Yangtze River Delta economic zone. Nanjing, one of the most important cities in China that played a prominent role in the country’s history and culture has a history of more than 2,500 years. It became China’ capital for six dynasties and is listed as one among the four great ancient capitals in China.

Being a center of education, research, transportation and tourism, Nanjing is the second largest commercial center in East China region. The basic industries in the city are the “Five Pillar Industries” - electronics, cars, petrochemical, iron and steel. Nanjing facilitates easy and convenient transportation services throughout and public transportation is the most important means of travel among the locals. Nanjing boasts of a three-dimensional transport system that includes the land, water and air. Railways and roadways connect different parts of the city with dozens of efficient networks, making Nanjing a main transportation hub in Eastern China. With almost 85 routes to national and international destinations, Nanjing’s airport is ranked 14th among the 126 civil airports in China.

Nanjing is commonly viewed as a ‘city of culture’. With a long lineage of cultural tradition, the city attracts intellectuals and tourists alike. Nanjing is a beautiful city with lush green parks, natural scenic lakes, small mountains, historical buildings and monuments, relics and much more. The government promotes tourism by facilitating excellent transportation networks and providing affordable travel options for tourists. Building and monuments from the ancient period reflects Nanjing’s great tradition while the lush green parks and attractive mountains reveal the well-preserved beauty of the city. Thousands of tourists from around the world flock to the city to get a glimpse of the natural scenic beauty, and the cultural sights and relics of the city.

Some of the age old sites that are most visited by travellers are the Purple Gold Mountain Scenic area, Qin Huai River, Confucius Temple, Nanjing Museum, Sun Yat Sen Museum and the City Wall of Nanjing.

The Qin Huai River was a center piece of beauty and romance in olden days. The river flows through the southwest of Nanjing and extends a hundred kilometers. Today people experience again the olden glory of Nanjing at the banks of this lovely river. A popular attraction Purple Gold Mountain also known as Bell Mountain, located on the eastern side of Nanjing, accommodates more than 200 scenic tourist sites in and around the mountain. The mountain top is often seen encircled in mysterious purple and golden clouds, hence the name Purple Gold Mountain. Purple Mountain Observatory, the first observatory built in China, is also a popular tourist destination.

Confucius Temple is a temple built in the memory of Confucius and the sages of Confucianism. The temple was built in 1034 during the Song Dynasty, as a place to worship the great philosopher Confucius. The temple compound is surrounded by a series of shops, restaurants, tea cafes and a snack street where tourists can indulge in the local flavors of Nanjing. Another popular destination is the Nanjing museum, situated in the city center. The museum has a collection of more than 420 thousand pieces of relics, including around 2,000 that are rare and valuable. It is situated inside the Zhongshan Gate in an area of 12.9 hectares. This site is a must-see for all those people who are fascinated by the Chinese history and culture. Sun Yat Sen Museum and its surrounding area is another popular tourist destination in Nanjing. The Museum of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the father of the Republic of China, is considered as the Holy land of the people of China. Located in the Zhong Mountain Scenic Area in the east suburb of Nanjing, the site is on the agenda of most visitors for its historical significance, brilliant architecture and rare scenic beauty. The 600 year old City Wall of Nanjing is another major attraction. With its historical background and fame it certainly tops the list of attractions in Nanjing. It was listed as an important cultural relic under state protection in 1988.

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