Nanjing
The city of Nanjing is the capital and the political, economic,
and cultural center of Jiangsu Province. It is one of the ancient capitals
and an outstanding tourist city. Nanjing was made the capital of ten
feudal dynasties in China. Its tourist areas include the Purple Hill
Scenic Area, the Qinhuai Scenic Belt, the Shicheng (Rock City) Scenic
Area, scenic spots in the city proper, the scenic belt along the Changjiang
River, the Yuhua (Raining Flower) Terrace Scenic Area, and the Qixia
Hill Scenic Area.
The Mausoleum of Sun Yat- sen
Located at the southern foot of Purple
Hill, it houses the remains of Dr. Sun Yatsen, the great revolutionary
forerunner of China. The mausoleum is composd of the tomb passage, the
Tablet Pavillion, the Memorial Hall, and the Vault. There is a marble
statue of Dr. Sun in the Memorial Hall and a sleeping marble statue
of him in the Vault. Construction of the mausoleum began in 1926 and
finished in 1 929. The coneshaped mausoleum stretches for 80,000 square
meters. There are 392 stone steps leading up to the Memorial Hall.
Xiaoling
of the Ming Dynasty
Built in 1 376 at the southern foot of Purple Hill, Xiaoling (the Mausoleum
of Zhu Yuanzhang the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty), is one of
the largest imperial tombs extant in China. The existing structures
include the Horse- Dismounting Archway, the Great Golden Gate, Square
City, and stone statues of animals and figures.
Zhonghua Gate
First called Treasure Gate, Zhonghua Gate in the due
south of Nanjing is also called Urn City because it resembles a pottery
urn. Built in the Ming Dynasty, it is the largest ancient castle in
the world and the symbol of Nanjing,tops the list of ancient city gates in China, and represents the timehonored
civilization of the Chinese nation.
The
Qinhuai Scenic Belt
It is a wellknown scenic area in the city of Nanjing, featuring an
enchanting scenery and many historical sites. The visitor can make a
tour of the area by boat or on foot. The major scenic spots are Taoye
Ferry, Confucian Temple, the East and West Markets, the former residence
of Li Xiangjun the White Egret Isle Park, Zhayuan Garden, and the castle
of Zhonghua Gate.
Xuanwu
Lake
Lying in the northeast of Nanjing, Xuanwu Lake is 1 5 kilometers in
girth and has a water surface of 444 hectares. The five isles in the
lake Liangzhou, Circular, Water Chestnut, Green Jade, and Cherry
Blossom isles are connected by causeways and bridges to form a charming
scenery.
Mochou (Don't Worry) Lake
Located outside West Gate, the lake is five kilometers in girth and
40 hectares in area. During the Qing Dynasty, it was known as the main
scenic attraction of Nanjing. Legend has it that a girl from Luoyang
lived there after her marriage and her singing dispelled all worries
from the minds of the listeners. Hence the name of the lake. Scenic
attractions include Chess Victory Tower, Tulip Hall, MidLake Pavilion,
and Lotus Blossom Admiration Pavilion. |