| Nanjing
(meaning southern capital) is one of the six ancient capitals of
China, situated at the south bank of the lower reaches of the
Yangtze River. Today, Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu province
and covers an area of 860 square kilometers with a population of
more than 5 million.
Various
dynasties have made Nanjing their base. The most famous of these
periods is when Nanjing was the capital of China; during the Ming
Dynasty between 1368 and 1644 and the establishment of the
People's Republic of China in the early 20th Century. Many of the
city's historical sites are date back to these periods and Sun
Yatsen's Mausoleum and the Ming Tombs are examples of the wealth
of culture existing in this ancient city.
Today,
the city is renowned for being an educational and cultural center,
with a large student (foreign and native Chinese) population.
Nanjing is a pretty place, with tree- lined streets, hills and
lakes, making the intense heat of east China's summers more
bearable. The pace of life here is slower than many other Chinese
cities and Nanjing seems quite conservative in comparison to the
brash modernity of neighboring Shanghai. Indeed the local's mantra
"man zou" (go slow) is a reflection of the cautious and
reserved attitude of many of the city's residents.
Like
many Chinese cities however, the charm of this place is being
threatened. The developers have moved in and the old streets and
classical buildings are being torn apart to make way for
expressways and skyscrapers.
For
the time being, Nanjing remains a charming city to spend a few
days in, absorbing some history and relaxing in the laid back
atmosphere before it disappears altogether.
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