Shanghai and Beijing were the major destinations on my 2015 trip to China. Out of my 3 day trips, I was really impressed with Nanjing. Hangzhou has 2 must-sees: West Lake and Lingyin Temple. Tianjin isn’t the most exciting place (although getting a great Italian dinner in Italian Style Town is worth the 30-minute train ride from Beijing). In Nanjing, you get a bang for your yuan.
Must-Sees in Nanjing
1. Confucius Temple (Fuzimaio)
Apparently there are some actual religious sights to see at a complex that would seem to be inherently religious based on its name. These are said to include one very impressive statue of the man himself, Confucius. But the throngs come for secular fun–shopping and snacking and general bustling.
Click here for more about Fuzimiao.
2. Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall
For me, the #1 reason to come to Nanjing was to learn and remember and pay respects to the victims of the Rape of Nanking at Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall. The Rape of Nanking was a series of atrocities committed by the Japanese imperial forces in wartime China that was on par with atrocities being carried out in Europe during the same era.
Click here for more about Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
3. The Presidential Palace
The Presidential Palace in Nanjing (which is like a mini Forbidden City) was the seat of power of the Republic of China during the period of Nationalist rule. Even though the Communists overthrew the Nationalists, the Presidential Palace is still an important site to the Chinese. It represents the beginning of modern China after the demise of the ancient dynastic imperial system.
Click here for more about the Presidential Palace.
4. Purple Mountain
I didn’t make it to Purple Mountain. So between this and the religious sights at Fuzimiao, I have 1 1/2 must-sees to go back to Nanjing for. The main sight at Purple Mountain is the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, a majestic affair where the father of modern China rests in peace. Another significant attraction at Purple Mountain is the tomb of the first Ming emperor. Other important attractions at Purple Mountain are Linggu Temple, a major Buddhist Temple, and Purple Mountain Observatory, a significant scientific site. I definitely need to get back to Nanjing!
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