Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China

Lying on the south bank of the Yangtze River, Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, is one of the most delightful destinations in China. It is easy to get to Nanjing by bullet train and air as it is one of the China’s key transport centers. Known as the capital city of six dynasties in ancient Chinese history including Kingdom of Wu (222 – 280), Eastern Jin (317 - 420) and four states of Southern Dynasties (420 - 589): Song, Qi, Liang and Chen, it has a lot of brilliant cultural heritage sites. You can see the ancient city walls and the old educational center Confucius Temple as well as architecture in the period of the Republic of China here. Many resorts, natural attractions and amusement parks also cannot be ignored.

Now Nanjing is an important national science and education center and the number of various institutions of higher education is second only to Beijing. Travelers can easily get a leisurely stroll on the boulevards lined with lush trees near those old campuses. Also, you cannot miss the museums with abundant collections and remember to taste the local Nanjing snacks like Nanjing Steamed Duck and Salted Duck.

Top 3 Reasons to Visit Nanjing

1. Qin Huai River

This great river, a tributary of the mighty Yangtze, is the lifeblood of the city and features many interesting sites, such as the Confucius Temple, along its banks. Cruising the river on the gaily painted boats is a must.

2. City Wall

The city walls date from the 1300s and took 200,000 workers 21 years to build. The southern gate, or Gate of China, is one of the most impressive parts of the defenses.

3. The Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace Ruins

This is the inspiration for the Forbidden City in Beijing. Here, some bridges, carvings and megaliths still remain.