Nanjing: the Southern Capital of History and Culture

The name "Nanjing" translates to "capital in the south". Among China's many ancient capitals, Nanjing is the southernmost. It served as the capital of the Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period, later becoming the capital of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, as well as the four Southern Dynasties. Additionally, the Southern Tang, the Ming Dynasty, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Republic of China briefly made it their capital.

Nanjing has an older name, "Jinling". In this context, "Jin" refers to copper rather than gold, while "Ling" means mountains. The name originated in 333 BC and was not changed to Nanjing until 1912.

Since ancient times, Nanjing has been an important city for north-south exchanges. It has fully absorbed the culture of the Central Plains while integrating it with the culture of the southeastern coast. As the political, economic and cultural center of the lower Yangtze River, Nanjing exhibited both the order of Central Plains culture and the vibrant marketplace commerce, forming a unique cultural identity. The local dialects are Nanjing Mandarin and Wu dialect, representing the coexistence and intermingling of northern and southern influences.

Today, Nanjing is rich in tourism resources. Naturally, attractions include Zhongshan Mountain and Qinhuai River. Culturally, Nanjing boasts the Ming Dynasty Imperial Tombs, numerous Buddhist temples, and the Nanjing Museum, which showcases a variety of cultural artifacts. The city was also the capital of the Republic of China, with the Presidential Palace and the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum drawing tourists from both the mainland of China and the Taiwan region.

During the Anti-Japanese War, the tragic Nanjing Massacre became a national shame for China, and the Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre is a significant site to visit. The Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge, the first double-deck bridge designed and built by China, holds special emotional significance for the Chinese people.

These attractions make Nanjing a city with a rich history, offering a glimpse into the splendor of various eras. The scenic and historic city of Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu Province and a central hub in eastern China, blending the charm of an ancient capital with the vibrancy of a modern metropolis.