Nanjing Things to Do

China's dynasties increasingly came to rely on a huge cadre of officials that administered the country for the emperor. The country quickly standardised an education system for potential officials that culminated in a formal examination. This eaxmination required an incredible amount of study and knowledge, and set the scene for today's focus on education. The system encouraged rote learning and memorization of texts, poems, literature and a whole range of classics; this rote system remains the prime system of education in China right into university, with very mixed outcomes for the success of China.

The Jiangnan Examination Centre - misleadingly called the Examination School - is a fascinating insight into the way that the scholars sat these exams. Each had a tiny stall where he would remain until the examination was finished - days later.

Sadly, like so much of China's built heritage, most of the structure has been rebuilt - not clearly explained to visitors. This recreation of heritage works well for Chinese visitors, but many foreigners are disappointed; it's a disappointment that the visitor will need to live with in China!

The Jiangnan Examination Centre is an interesting place, however, with plenty of explanations of the system, although you will need a guide if you do not speak or read Chinese.

Built in 1366 during the Yuan Dynasty, the formodable Zhonghua gate is one of the most spectacular city gates in China, outshining the Great Wall for sheer bulk and presence. It took 20 years to complete, by when the Ming Dynasty had started its long rule.

The complex is simply massive, and unusually, all four gates through it are perfectly aligned with each other. Each archway had a drop-down gate weighing more than a tonne which could effectively trap any force trying to enter the city. The invaders could then be slaughtered from the high battlements.

Inside the structure are 27 caves that could hide more than 3,000 soldiers, most of them in a series of long arched vaults under the innermost gate. They could quickly go up the ramps at either side, to fan out along the city walls or defend the gate itself.

Unfortunately, the gate is now marooned as a traffic island, cut off the from the city wall with which it was originally joined.

Inside the gate are displays and information on Nanjing's history, some of it telling the story of the Rape of Nanjing when Japanese troops brutally massacred large numbers of the city's citizens.

Although the mountain is best known for the Mausoleum of Dr Sun Yat Sen, there whole of Zhongshan Mountain is accessible with many temples, parks, forests and activity centres. There's enough of interest here for at least several days - both in terms of culture and activity.

Also known as Purple Mountain because of the haze over the conifers creating a dull purple sheen, the area was originally called Jinlingshan. The People's Laboratory is at the western end, and a cable car carries visitors to the park at the top.

To the west of the Mausoleum are old ceremonial tombs, the Mingxiaoling, and the Sacred Avenue leading up to it.

A Sun Yat Sen Museum lies east of the mausoleum. Furthest east on the ridge is the area around Linggu Temple.

The whole area is very busy at weekends and during Golden Weeks, but the open spaces and forests can soak up a lot of people.

This is a famous landmark, the Nanjing Bridge crossing the mighty Yang Tze river. It was the first bridge over the Yang Tze and was built by the Chinese after the Russian suddenly abandon their economic development when both Communist parties went their separate ways. Apparently, the construction of the bridge is too low for many ship to sail pass under.

Anyway, we were caught in the traffic crawl on the way back. There was nothing much on the other of the river and one side is Nanjing.

Perhaps, it is just OK to view the bridge from Nanjing downtown side but I had to cross the bridge.

There are many eerie photos of the thousands that were massacred by the Japanese soldiers during World War II known as the "Rape of Nanking". At that time, Nanjing was the capital of China. Only a few living survivors and their descendants are accorded special treatment and status by PRC.

As mentioned, I arrived too late to enter the memorial and took a photo from outside. So be early and reach there before 4pm to have enough time to tour.

Nanjing was made the capital of Ming Dynasty after the overthrow of the Mongols. Later, the capital was moved to Beijing. Hence the early Ming emperors were buried in Nanjing while later were buried in Beijing Ming Tombs.

The Nanjing Ming Tombs are smaller that the later Beijing Tombs. But I am just impressed by the animal statues leading to the tombs. The actual tombs have not been found and so it will be exciting when they are actually located.

This another major tourist destination of Nanjing.

This is the administrative residence of the Chinese rebel Hong Xiuquan, who led a Christian army called the Taiping Rebellion against the Manchu Qing dynasty and temporarily control Southern China up to Nanjing.

This is also the adminstrative residence of Koumintang President Chiang Kai Shek who made Nanjing the capital before moving to Chongqing when the Japanese invaded.

The whole palace can be toured in an hour will lead to better understanding of the historical events of China in the 20th century.

There is a similar memorial in Guangzhou and in Taipei but this is the where Dr. Sun is entombed. An excellent walk up a series of steps. If you cannot walk, there is an adjourning road to take you to the top.

There are words of wisdom of Dr. Sun encrypted and a statue to be photographed. You can see his tomb but no photography is allowed as an act of respect.

You may be interested to know that Dr. Sun is a Christian doctor and was even staying in Penang for awhile to raise funds from overseas Chinese to fight the Japanese invading army in China during World War II.

Dr. Sun Yat Sen was respected by both the Communist Party and the Koumintang Party which had a civil war leading to the Communist Party taking over mainland China and the Koumintang government retreating into Taiwan.

So there is a lot of history of modern China at this memorial and in Nanjing.