Nanjing Introduction

City Introduction

(Image source: www.nju.gov.cn)

In Jiangnan, there is a place looks so fascinating. Its temperament has impressed lots of emperors and officials since ancient times. Its charm has enchanted many scholars at home and abroad. The place is Nanjing, China.

Nanjing appears beautiful and elegant. The beautiful mountains, clear water, quiet forests, and special towns enhance each other's beauty. Different parts have different beautiful scenes. Visitors can enjoy different views in different seasons. There are always some ideal places to visit, no matter when you come to Nanjing. Its unique beauty is so enchanting.

If you want to learn more about Nanjing, you can follow different themed traveling routes to explore it. You can watch the treasure of the ancient capital of the Middle Ages by a tour of Ming culture. You will marvel at the splendid folk culture of Jinling if you go for a trip of folk custom. You can lose yourself while trying out Huaiyang delicacies and Qinhuai snacks. For relaxation, you can choose hot spring and golf... Every route is meaningful and every kind of culture is worthy of exploration.

Nanjing, a city of philanthropy, is ancient and also fashionable. It is a green old city, quiet and also dynamic. No matter where you are from, no matter if you are our old or new friends, you are Nanjing’s distinguished guests. The people of Nanjing invite you to come to Nanjing to enjoy yourselves. The door of the ancient capital will always be open for you.

Details

Nanjing is a city full of vigor and opportunities. It is a window for you to get a glimpse of the “real China”. Whether touring, Studying or living here, you may find it changing and growing every day, you may find it a city with Chinese tradition as the background and full of many modern qualities, and you may feel the hospitality of the people here.

Nanjing is situated in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, at 32°03’N and 118°47’E. It borders the Yangtze River Delta to the east and the hilly areas of South Anhui to the west, adjacent to the water network of Taihu Lake in the south and the Jianghuai Plain in the north. With the "Golden Waterway" Yangtze River flowing through the city, it is 380km from the Yangtze River’s estuary to the sea, and about 300km from Shanghai, the largest city of China.

Nanjing is in the monsoon climate area of north subtropical zone, with clearly-divided four seasons. Its annual average temperature is 16℃ and the annual average precipitation is 1034 mm.

Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu Province with the total area of 6598 square kilometers, including 4728 square kilometers of urban area, and its total population is 10.127 million(2011).

Nanjing, an ancient capital of China, enjoys a worldwide reputation for its history and culture. Archaeological findings show that human ancestors lived in Nanjing area around 300,000 years ago, and primitive villages took shape 6000 years ago. These inhabitants were the original local people. From then on, people lived and multiplied in this area generation after generation.

Nanjing, called Ning for short, is located on the Yangtze River Delta. With history of over 6,000 years, Nanjing has become a famous historical and cultural city since it was established 2,500 years ago. Since the 3rd Century AD, 10 dynasties and regimes made Nanjing the capital and established the country: Wu, Eastern Jin, Southern Dynasties (Sung, Qi, Liang, Chen), Southern Tang, Ming, Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Republic of China, hence the titles “Ancient Capital for Six Dynasties” and “Capital City for Ten Dynasties”. The history has left abundant Chinese historical and cultural relics in Nanjing. Nanjing was made as a capital for ten dynasties in history, known as one of the four major ancient capitals in China together with Beijing, Xi’an and Luoyang. In addition to historical sights, memorials, museums and cultural sights also attract thousands of visitors. The famous Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) is not only a memorial place for the Great Sage but has a surrounding area bustling with shops, restaurants and a snack street housed in traditional architectural buildings. In the city center, Nanjing Museum is a must for visitors with a collection of more than 420 thousand pieces, including about 2,000 that are rare and valued. The Zijinshan Observatory (Purple Mountain Observatory) to the east of the city center was the first modern observatory built in China.

Qinhuai River, in the southwest of the city, extends for one hundred kilometers. The river used to be the most flourishing part of the city in the old days. In many Chinese novels, it is renowned as a place which nurtured beauties and romance. Today, it is a place for people to recall the old splendor of this historical city. Like all sights here, it tells the story of past, present and future of the city.

Nanjing is a city where you can live conveniently and happily. Supermarkets, including Wal-Mart, Carrefour and local Suguo, which are spread all around the city, can provide you with all the necessities of your life. Emporiums, located in the downtown area, will make you close to the world-famous brands, including Chanel, Gucci and Dupont, just as you are in any modern city of the world. Various restaurants, some of which serve traditional Chinese food of all flavors, some serve foreign food, including western food, Indian food and Thai food, may cater for you from different countries and regions. If you’d like to spend your evening in pubs, you may find themnear large hotels. Adjacent to the Presidential Palace, there is a pub zone called 912 with traditional Chinese buildings, where you can enjoy yourself to your heart’s content.

Life in Nanjing is much slower and more relaxed than in Beijing or Shanghai. It is common to see senior citizens playing chess in the sun or enjoying a radio show next to a busy thoroughfare.

Parks are found all around the city. Most are free and well-maintained. Locals love strolling and picnicking in the green at leisure.

Nanjingers are chatty and friendly. Pedestrians are willing and helpful in giving directions, though most don’t speak English. English is better understood in high-end hotels and restaurants or international hostels.

Nanjing is a city so rich in culture and nature that one will find themselves alternating between ancient and modern with every step with a canopy of cooling foliage overhead. Lush greenery cascades over sweeping hills and mountains. Waterways serpentine through the city of steel and glass.Nanjing, a city of dreams and imperial artistry, blossoms like a lotus flower floating along a river oblivious to the outside world.

Holidays

The same as the statutory holidays in China

New Year's Day: January 1st - January 3rd

Spring Festival: February 7th - February 13th

Tomb-sweeping Day: April 2nd - April 4th

Labor Day: April 30th - May 2nd

Dragon Boat Festival: June 9th - June 11th

Mid-Autumn Festival: September 15th - September 17th

National Day: October 1st - October 7th