Qin Huai River
Qin Huai River, a branch of the great Yangtze River, is 110 kilometers (about 68 miles) in length and covers a drainage area of 2,631 square kilometers (about 1,016 square miles). The river was originally called Huai River, and it is said that the river was channeled to the city of Nanjing during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, so it was named Qin Huai River from then on.
Qin Huai River is the largest river in the Nanjing City area and is the 'life blood' of the city. Qin Huai River is so fascinating that it captures the imaginations of people both at home and abroad.There are many famous sites of interest along the banks of the Qin Huai River , including Confucius Temple, Zhanyuan Garden, Zhonghua Gate, and the sights along the Taoye Ferry ride to Zhenhuai Bridge.
Taking the painted boats to cruise on the Qinhuai River, visitors can not only admire the sights along the river but can also experience the traditional culture of Nanjing. Visitors can take boats at different wharfs to admire the scenery along the river.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum
Covering an area of 80,000 square meters (about 20 acres), Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum is located in the Zhong Mountain Scenic Area in the east suburb of Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. As the mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the father of the Republic of China, it is considered the Holy land of Chinese people both home and abroad. With deep historical significance, magnificent architecture and beautiful scenery, it is a must see when traveling in Nanjing.
The majestic mausoleum's construction was started in 1926 and completed in 1929. The whole Mausoleum Scenic Area represents an alarm bell as seen from the air, symbolizing the noble spirit and heroic efforts of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's devotion to the Chinese people, fight of oppression and wining the independence of China. Facing south, the structures, along with the mountain ascends gradually along with the central axis line running from south to the north and is regarded as the most outstanding mausoleum in Chinese modern architectural history.
Around the Mausoleum there are many memorial buildings such as the Zhengqi Pavilion, Open-air Music Hall, Waxwork Home of Democratic Revolution, the Sun Yat-sen Museum and so on.
Admission: Free
Bus Route: 9
Tourism Bus No. 1 & 3
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is one of the biggest imperial tombs in China. It lies in the eastern suburbs of Nanjing City at the southern foot of Zhongshan (Purple) Mountain. Emperor Chengzu, Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Queen Ma were buried there.
Construction of the mausoleum began in 1381 and was completed in 1431. The mausoleum has two discreet sections: One is the Sacred Way area and the other is the main body of the mausoleum itself.
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is renowned for its unique design, its eminent status, its amazing beauty and its magnificent scale. It's the milestone in the historical development of Chinese mausoleums. As an extension of the 'Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it is listed by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site.
Admission Fee: CNY 80
Bus Route: 20, Tourism Bus No. 2 & 3
Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao)
The Confucius Temple in Nanjing was originally constructed in the year of 1034 in the Song Dynasty. It was a place to worship and consecrate Confucius, the great philosopher and educator of ancient China. It is also known as Fuzimiao in Chinese. During the long process, the original building expanded to be a complex building in the architectural style of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, including the Confucius Temple itself, the Jiangnan Gongyuan (the place of imperial examinations) and the Xue Gong (the Imperial Academy). The complex is still called the Confucius Temple out of habit by locals and visitors.
In front of the Confucius Temple, the Qin Huai River is flowing. On the south bank of the river, there is the longest screen wall in China which is 110-meter-long (about 120 yards) and piled with bricks. The area around the temple consists of a series of tourist shops, snack bars, restaurants and tea cafes. They all appear to be in the architectural style of the Ming and Qing style. A variety of snacks encompassing eight of the most famous flavours are available for purchase at here. Everyone's individual tastes are well catered for.They are necessary parts of food culture in Nanjing.
Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre
On Dec 13, 1937, the Japanese army occupied Nanjing and during the following six weeks bore witness to the inhumane disgrace and bloody massacre exerted on the city. No less than 300,000 innocent civilians and unarmed Chinese soldiers were brutally slaughtered in mass and individual beheadings, burying alive, burning, and killing races.
The Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre was built by Nanjing Municipal Government in 1985 and extended in 1995, covering an area of 28,000 sq meters (302,400 sq ft). It is located in Jiangdongmen, one of the execution sites and mass burial places of the massacre. Solemn and imposing, the grey marble architecture consists of three parts: the outdoor exhibits, the remaining bones of the victims and the exhibition hall for historical documents.
The hall was not built as a sign of indignation but a lasting memorial to the victims and a warning of history. The memorial hall and the historical materials it contains present themselves as iron proofs on the inhuman crimes the Japanese troops ever committed.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: 8:30 am-16:30 pm (closed on Monday)
Transportation: 7, 23, 37, 39, 57, 82, 92, 312
Zhonghua Gate
Zhonghua Gate (Chinese Gate) is the south gate of Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. A precious cultural relic, Zhonghua Gate has the double distinction of being the biggest castle-style city gate in China and a structural element of the most complicated castle in the world. It is the castle's magnificent scale, delicate structure, and the great skill with which it was built that bequeath it an important place in China's military and architectural traditions.
Construction of the castle took twenty-one years, from 1366 to 1387. The gate, originally called the 'Gate of Gathering Treasure' carries a legend from the time of its creation in the early Ming Dynasty. According to the legend, when Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), had the gate built, the ground kept sinking. The gate collapsed again and again. It was not until a treasure bowl was buried under the gate that it stood firm. In 1931, to commemorate the revolution of 1911 and the Republic of China (1919-1949) that emerged as a result, the Gate of Gathering Treasure was renamed Zhonghua Gate. In Chinese Pinyin, Republic of China is written as Zhonghua Minguo.
Admission Fee: CNY 25
Bus Route: 2,16, 26, 33, 49, 88
Tourism Bus: No. 2 & 4
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Snack Streets
Fuzimiao Street (Gongyuan Street)
Most travelers find local delicacies in Nanjing irresistible. Gongyuan Street on the northern bank of the famous Qin Huai River (usually called Fuzimiao Street by locals) is the most bustling tour site in the city. You can sample various snacks, from the reputed Salted Soup Duck to Chinese dumplings in dozens of restaurants, stalls and shops on the street. The most famous snacks include spicy Gan Si, eggs boiled in tea, fried pancakes, duck blood soups, beef soup, dumplings and others. Famous restaurants include Wanqing Tower, Kuiguangge, Lao Zhengxing and Liu Feng Ju. You can take Bus 1, 7, 31, 40 and 301 or the special tourist lines of No.2 or 4 and get off at Fuzimiao stop. An alternative could be choosing Bus 2, 4, 16, 33, 44 and 49 and get off at Changle Lu.
Hunan Lu Dinning & Shopping Street
Located in the northwestern part of the city in Gulou District (Drum Tower District), this one kilometers long street is one of the most prosperous shopping streets in Nanjing with the famous Shiziqiao Food Street in the middle. This pedestrianised street is filled with dozens of restaurants providing both Chinese and western-style food. The street is divided into three parts. The first part has restaurants providing typical local cuisine, among which Shiwangfu Restaurant is the best. The second part is called Chinese Food Street where various cuisines from different parts of China are found and the last, but not least, is the area which has food from Japan, Korea, India, Thailand and the west.
Hanfu Street
Hanfu Street, opposite Nanjing Presidential Hall, is the latest food street to be developed and has restaurants run by people from other cities in China. They cover all kinds of food from throughout the country including spicy Sichuan cuisine, ethnic Guizhou food, folk dishes of Northeast China and Shanghai cuisine.
Restaurants
Kuiguangge Teahouse
This is a century-old Muslim teahouse located in the front part of the famous Fuzimiao dinning street. It was said to be the place for imperial examinees to celebrate their success and now is a landmark building in the street. It provides the 'Eight Excellence' snacks and smiling waitresses will come to introduce both the delicious delicacies and interesting stories and legends behind the food. As a teahouse, Kuiguangge is also the best place to taste Chinese tea. Tea plays an important role in Chinese social and emotional life. This teahouse is renowned as the best in Nanjing.
Lao Zhengxing Restaurant
Located on the bank of Qinhuan River near Fuzimiao, this is also a time-honored restaurant providing unique dishes and cuisine from Zhejiang Province.
Address: No.119, Gongyuan Jie
Maxiangxing Restaurant
This restaurant represents Muslim cuisine in the southern part of China. Its salted soup duck and beef noodles are delicious.
Address: No.5, Zhongshan Beilu
Liu Feng Ju
Its predecessors were three snack stalls outside Gong Yuan (the imperial examination place) which was popular with local people for its Tofu pudding and fried pies. Now the Dou Fu Nao and Fried Spring Onion Pancake earn it a great reputation.
Western Restaurants
Real western style food can be found only in hotels. Localized western food can be found in the western food area in Hunan Lu food street.
What to Eat
• Duck Blood Soup
• Gan Si (Shredded Bean-curd Sheets)
• Salted Soup Duck
• Pressed Duck
• Dou Fu Nao (Tofu pudding)
• Fried Spring Onion Pancake
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Xinjiekou - The street of world famous brands
As the central landmark of the city, the downtown area of Xinjiekou is both the transport and business center of the city. A metro station, public buses and other tourist facilities provide tourists with the convenient accommodation and access to every corner of the city. Department stores such as Deji Plaza, Golden Eagle Plaza offers dazzling world-famous brands, restaurants and beauty services.
Fuzimiao Market
This all-round wholesale center is the retail source for many shops and stores. You can find anything here ranging from socks to electronic toys. Although a wholesale market, even an individual customer coming to buy a T-shirt won't be refused entry.
Address: No. 28, Dashiba Jie
Hunan Lu
Located right inside the Xuanwu Gate of the city's ancient wall in the northern part of the city, there is an east-west street called Hunan Lu. This street ranks as the second most popular street in Nanjing after Xinjiekou. The beautifully decorated street has hundreds of clothes shops, department stores and restaurants with the famous Shiziqiao Food Street in the middle. It is a good place for both shopping and taking guests out for dinner.
Taiping Nanlu
Walking eastward from the Xinjiekou Crossing you find Taiping Nanlu, an avenue running north - south to Zhongshan Donglu. The avenue is a home to brandname shops selling a variety of items from gold and jade ornaments to home appliances.
Jinling Department Store
East to the five-star Jinling Hotel, it is a home to worldwide brands. A selection of clothes, leather, cosmetics, watches and fine jewelry work satisfy shoppers.
Zhujiang Lu
Further northward from Changjiang Lu is a parallel street dotted with stores and shops selling all sorts of electronic products including mp3, pocket appliances, video records, computer peripherals, speakers and so on. Also known as Zhujiang Lu Sci-tech Street it is said to be the largest of its kind in Eastern China.
What to Buy
• Salted Soup Duck (Xian2 Shui3 Ya1)
• Rain Flower Stones (Yuhua shi)
• Yuhua Tea (Yuhua cha)
• Cloud Brocade
• Jinling Gold Leaf
• Wooden Carvings
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Nanjing 1912 - a place where the youth could have a vibrant nightlife
Nanjing 1912 refers to an entertaining area in present Nanjing. One could see the Presidential Hall in this area where Dr. Sun Yet-sen, the forerunner of China's democratic revolution, had his presidential office erected in the year 1912. Seventeen well-preserved historical buildings from that period and four entertainment squares can be found in this area in today's Nanjing.
Nanjing 1912 is a blend of the old days in China and the modern styles of the West. Gray-bricked buildings, simple-styled balconies, floral-carved windows and pinnacle tops picture the old China. Today, western culture has seeped in Nanjing. Nanjing 1912 is home to outlets such as Starbucks, South Beauty, international restaurants, nightclubs and bars. Nanjing 1912 is like the Xin Tian Di in Shanghai!
Studio 21
#193 Shigu Road
This Dutch-run wine and cocktail bar features a variety of international cuisines and a number of entertainment options (live music, dancing, casino games, etc) within an upscale lounge environment.
61 HOUSE
61 Hankou Xi Lu/ Ninghai Lu
With quality drinks, good food, electro music events & concerts, this converted bomb shelter is now a social bar, club & restaurant.
Since opening its doors in mid-2010, 61 House has carved out a solid reputation for great events, reasonably-priced food and drink, and attentive bilingual service.
Finnegans Wake Irish Bar
6 Cinnalane, Shengzhou Lu/Zhongshan Nan Lu
Enjoy a cold Guinness, Kilkenny, Carlsberg or Cider on tap, or simply relax and savor from the selection of classic Irish and Scotch malt whiskies. When the munchies hit, choose from their carefully prepared selection of traditional Irish dishes.
In addition, listen to traditional live Irish music from yer man from Ireland, Cathal Hickey.
Secco Restaurant and Bar
No. 3 Kunlun Lu
The delightful gourmet European food prepared by chef Winny Brenneisen is only one of the features of this German-owned expat magnet. Imported German beers are available on tap, weekly cocktail specials abound, and a spacious backyard patio to relax.
CD Pub
Gulouqu, Beijing Xilu 1-1
CD Pub is situated next to the ancient Drum Tower in the centre of Nanjing. Spanning an area of over 500 square meters with a comfortable and elegant interior, it is a unique wine bar with an artistic touch. Hosting a wide range of wines from all over the world, CD Pub promotes live Jazz, Blues and other styles of music. It is the first Jazz Winebar of this kind to open in Nanjing. Great service and a relaxed atmosphere invite your ears as well as taste buds to spend an evening of inspiration.
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Jinling Lanterns Fair
It was said that the first lantern fair was held in this region in the reign of Hong Wu in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), when Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang ordered a spring lantern fair to be held to celebrate both the coming new year and prosperity of the country. This tradition was passed down from generation to generation and reached its height in the Ming and Qing periods. Each year from the first day of the lunar January the lantern fair celebration is held in the area surrounding Fuzimiao.
Period: 1st, Jan - 15th, Jan depending on lunar calendar
Nanjing Int'l Plum Festival (Plum Hill)
In the early spring between February and March, Nanjing International Plum Festival opens as the first ceremonial tourist event of the year. The meeting place is chosen on Plum Hill. Reputed as the First Plum Hill under Heaven, it is one of the eight plum appreciation sights having the most variety, longest history and being the largest in the country. Because the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year always falls in this period, spectacular celebrations of blossom appreciation, show performances, cultural exhibitions and bazaar shopping are be held.
Period: Feb. - Mar. (the one in 2005 began on Feb. 10th and ended on Mar. 15th)
Cherry Blossom Festival
In late March, Xuanwu Park becomes a sea of cherry blossom and photography lovers and tourists throng to see the charming scenery.
Yuhuashi (Rain Flower Pebbles) Art Festival
Yuhuashi, a kind of rain-flower pattern agate, is a very popular tourist souvenir. Each year in September, an art and cultural festival is held in Yuhuatai (Rain Flower Terrace) Scenic Area. Exhibition of precious agate stones and performances will be presented.
Period: September
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