Nanjing Travel Guide

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Nanjing Overview

Nanjing, the current capital of Jiangsu Province, is an ancient metropolis with over 2500 years of history. In fact, it is famous for being one of the four most ancient cities of China, and has existed throughout six different dynasties. Called Ning for short and Jinling in ancient times, Nanjing lies in the southwest part of Jiangsu Province, south of the Yangtze River. Archaeological records prove the existence of nomadic peoples in the area over 300,000 years ago, while primitive villages appeared approximately 6000 years ago. Through continuous development from generation to generation, Nanjing has become one of the most prosperous cities in China today.

Presently, the city covers an area exceeding 6,500 square kilometers, including urban and suburban locales, and boasts a population of approximately 5.5 million. The downtown area itself covers an area of 860 square kilometers. It is made up of 8 districts, 5 suburban areas, and 2 counties.

Besides its splendid history, Nanjing is famous for its beautiful year-round scenic spots. The cultural historic sites are spread out amongst the entire city. Here you can visit the Zhong Mountain Mausoleum, the famous Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao), the mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the imperial tomb of the first Ming emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, the temple of antiquity, Gong Yuan (palaces for people to take part in the imperial examinations), numerous Ming walls, the Zhonghua Gate, and Zhanyuan Garden. All of these sites are a must for any tourist, and have a way of rekindling the rich, historic past of Nanjing. The city’s unique past-meets-present allure is sure to please history buffs and neo-architectural enthusiasts alike.