Nanjing 外文名称: 

Nanjing, which is called Ning for short, is the capital of Jiangsu Province. Located in the vast plain on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing covers a total area of 6,516 sq km including the 186.73-sq-km downtown. The urban area covers 976.76 sq km. It has a population of 5.22 million, 2.59 million of whom are non-agricultural residents. It features hills, waters, towns and trees.

Nanjing has sub-tropical moist climate with distinct four seasons. It has an average annual temperature of 15.6 c , an annual rainfall of 1,106 millimeters and a frost-free period of 237 days.

Nanjing abounds in natural resources. It has discovered 54 types of minerals, 34 of which have verified reserves topping two billion tons.  

In ancient times, Nanjing served as the capital of the Wu, Eastern Jin, Song, Qi, Liang, Chen, Southern Tang and Ming dynasties, and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. It was also the site of the provisional government set up after the Revolution of 1911. On April 23, 1949, Nanjing was liberated, and became a special city directly under the administration of the Central  Government. On January 1, 1953, it was merged into Sunan and Subei administrative zones to become Jiangsu Province, and Nanjing became the capital of the province.It began to administer counties in 1983. Now it has five districts and five counties. In March 1995, the State Council approved "Nanjing City's Overall Program (up to 2010)", and defined the nature of Nanjing city as a "well-known ancient capital, the capital of Jiangsu Province and a major central city on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River."

Nanjing is a key industrial base in China. In December of 1992, it was chosen by nine departments as the fifth city in the country with overall economic strength, and one of China's  cities with better investment conditions. The city has 36 industries and over 2,000 products.

Nanjing is focusing on the development of five pillar industries such as computer, telecommunication equipment, household electric appliance, motor vehicles and motorcycles, petrochemicals and refined chemicals, and construction and building materials. It is second international commercial port after Shanghai in the Yangtze River Delta. It has 520 markets of various kinds, 390 comprehensive markets forming a market network ranging from production means, banking, technology, personnel, labor force, information, real estate to property transactions.

The city has nine development zones above the provincial level. It is one of China's important transport hubs, and one of the six telecommunications centers in the country. It stands by the Yangtze River and is near the sea, and has formed a dimensional transportation network composed of railways, highways, waterways, air routes and pipes.

Nanjing's science and education develop rapidly, and it is one of China's four research and education central cities. In 1995, it was chosen as one of the nation's outstanding cities in vitalizing the city through science and education.

Rich in natural scenery and civilization, Nanjing has 281  historic and cultural relic units under protection at and above the city level. Included are nine key national units. The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Confucius Temple and scenes along the river Qinhuai have been listed among the top 40 tourist attractions in China.

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Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum

Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum is situated on the southern slope of the Zijinshan Mountain (Purple Gold Mountain) in the eastern suburb of of Nanjing. The remains of Dr. Sun, who was a pioneer of Chinese democratic revolution was buried here on June 1, 1929. The mausoleum, shaped like an alarm bell, is built at the foot of the mountain. A feeling of respect may be aroused when climbing by the steps. 

The Sacrificial Hall is the major part of the mausoleum, integrating the Chinese and western architectural styles. It is 29 meters high, 30 meters long and 25 meters wide. On the door of the hall inscribed the six characters of Nation, Civilian Rights and People’s Life. There is a horizontal board inscribed with the words of “Healthy Trends Under Heaven” written by Dr. Sun Yat-sen on top of the middle door. A statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, designed by a French artist, was instituted at the center of the hall. Six relief sculptures were carved at the base of the statue, on which the revolutionary activities of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen were recorded.

Besides, the resorts in the Mausoleum scenic area also include the Concert Platform, Liuhui Waterside Pavilion, Classics Tower and Guanghua Pavilion.

Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty

Xiaoling Tomb, or the Tomb of Filial Piety, built 600 years ago, is the mausoleum of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Lying at the southern foot of the Purple Mountain, the tomb complex is one of the largest ancient mausoleums of the emperors of in China. The mausoleum consists of two major sections. The first section is from the Gateway of dismounting Horse to the Lingxing Gate at the end of Sacred Way (tomb avenue), of which the approach is 1800 meters long. Historical records indicate that the mausoleum had a grand red wall, 22.5 kilometers long, enclosing the whole tomb area. Unfortunately, this large group of buildings was ruined by wars in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties and the war in which Taiping Peasant Army was suppressed by the Qing Dynasty. All the wooden structures were destroyed. However, we can still see the exquisite stone carvings from the stone bases and imagine how magnificent it looked like 600 years ago.

Northwards from the Great Golden Gate, a huge roofless stone Golden Gate, a huge roofless stone tablet pavilion can be see, it is the Square Castle, as local people call it. Its top is gone but the surrounding walls and four archways still remain. In the middle of the building, there stands an 8.78 meters stele.

Behind the tablet pavilion (the Square Castle) is the sacred way, which is lined on both sides with 12 pairs of giant stone animals in 6 kinds. For each kind of the animals, there are one pair standing and the other kneeling. The standing pair is working and the kneeling resting and they are on duty alternately. The real purpose of building these animals is to demonstrate the royal magnificence and the emperor’s dignity, to drive away evil spirits and guard the tomb. The first 2 pairs of animals are lions, king of the beasts symbolizing power. The second 2 pairs of animals are called Bi Xie, a unicorn-shaped mythical animal, said to be clever and capable of distinguishing between good and evil. The following pairs of animals include camels, elephants, kylins or Chinese unicorns and horses.

On the south of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is the Meihua (Plum Flower) Mountain, which was formerly the tomb of Sun Quan, emperor of Dongwu. The mountain is covered with more than 10,000 plum flowers and it is always one of most attractive resorts for Nanjing visitors who appreciate the flowers in spring. Its scenic spots include the Plum Appreciation Pavilion and Bo’ai (Extensive Love) Pavilion.

The Confucius Temple

Nanjing Confucius Temple, located on the north bank of the Qinhuai river, is the holy shrine of Confucius, the outstanding ancient Chinese philosopher and thinker. The temple was first built in the Song dynasty. The Confucius Temple-centric area is a famous river scenery resort in Nanjing. Over the past 1800 years, it has remained one of most prosperous places of Najing, and rated as one of the top 40 tourist attractions in 1990.

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