Nanjing is a city characterized by the balance of old and new. While Nanjing is a well-known city throughout China, it is often overlooked by foreigners for it's much larger neighbor, Shanghai. Nanjing was the capital of China during points of time in China's history, most recently during the Kuomintang's rule of China under Chiang Kai Shek. Nanjing is now making huge strides as a modern Chinese city, but it will always be known as one of China's most historically important cities.
Nanjing is also significantly smaller in both population and area, making it a much more walkable city. It is an extremely manageable place to live, as it boasts all the perks and resources of a big city, but lacks the hyperinflation of Shanghai or Beijing.
Top Chinese universities attract the brightest students from every province in China and international students from every continent. Nanjing is an ideal place to study Mandarin because unlike larger cities such as Shanghai or Beijing, many of the locals do not speak English. It would be extremely hard to get around Nanjing without knowing any Chinese, so it was a great way for us students to challenge ourselves outside of the classroom.
These are a few of the attractions I visited while studying in Nanjing.
Xuanwu Lake Park
Escape from the city and plan a whole day out in Xuanwu Lake Park! Start from the South Gate and walk along the Ming City Wall for a birdseye view of the park. Buy a few beers or pack a picnic and rent a boat on the lake for a few hours. Explore the park grounds and find hidden pagodas set amongst the backdrop of the city. The Northwest Gate features a variety of souvenir stalls and snack vendors. Fall is the best time to visit since lotus flowers bloom in August.
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| Blue Skies in China are a real thing! |
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| Nanjing City Skyline -- The Zifeng Tower is the 7th tallest skyscraper in the world |
Confucius Temple
Confucius Temple was once a grand entertainment venue full of lively restaurants, bars, and shops. It is now known as a must-see tourist destination of Nanjing and has unfortunately acquired a reputation for becoming too commercialized. Kitsch-y souvenir stores are the main attraction, however the Confucius Temple's real treasure is the amazing selection of street food.
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| In Ancient China, scholars would come to the Confucius Temple before examinations and make offerings for good luck |
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| The Qinhai River runs through the Confucius Temple area |
Ming Tombs
Nanjing was the capital of six dynasties in Ancient China, as well as the Nationalist Government before Japanese Occupation. The Ming Tombs are located in the greater Purple Mountain area (more on this later), which has a variety of attractions including hikes, the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Masoleum, and swimming ZiXia Lake.
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| A view from inside the Ming Tombs |
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| The Ming Tombs gate tower |
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