Nanjing Things to Do

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The origins of this Confucius Temple date back to 1034, while the current buildings date to the late 19th century. The temple was the seat of Confucian study for more than 1500 years. The temple is surrounded by small side streets and a canal.

Admission: Y28.

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The Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge is the first bridge to be built across the Yangzi River in 1968. It was also the first double-decker, double-track highway and railway bridge designed and constructed by the Chinese without outside engineering assistance. It is 6,772 meters (22,212 ft) long and has a span of 160 m (525 ft) — it can take up to 15 minutes to cross during regular traffic periods.

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This table and room have been restored as it was here that the Treaty of Nanjing was negotiated between the British and Qing dynasty to mark the end of the First Opium War. It was used on the 12th, 13th, 14th and 24th August 1842.

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The Nanjing Treaty History Museum is housed in the Jinghai Temple which itself is close to the city wall in the northwest of the city. The small museum houses a collection of photographs and paintings, maps and documents relating to the Treaty of Nanjing which was signed between the British and Qing dynasty to mark the end of the First Opium War.

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The name of this temple comes from a tablet that was placed here by Emperor Chengzu during the Ming dynasty and this temple was built in memory of Zhenghe (1371–1433) who is said to have visited the Southwest Pacific and Indian Oceans way before Columbus arrived in America or when Da Gamma arrived in India. Today the temple has been converted into a museum dedicated to Zhenghe. It also houses the Nanjing Treaty History Museum.

This monument, erected in April 1979, lies just outside the city wall in the northwest of the city. It commemorates the crossing of the Yangzi River on the 23rd April 1949 and the capture of Nanjing by the Communist Party. The characters on the monument are the work of former President Deng Xiaoping.

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This 1 mile (1.6km) long lake is located outside the city walls to the northeast of the city centre. It was once an important water source for the city and was used for naval exercises during the Song dynasty. The lake park was opened to the public shortly after the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911. The 368 hectare lake features five small islands that are all linked to each other by bridges and causeways. It also features teahouses, restaurants, pavilions, boats for hire and even a small zoo.

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The Great Bell Pavilion is located just to the north of the Drum Tower. It was constructed during the Ming dynasty and later rebuilt in 1889. The huge bronze bell, cast in 1388, is one of the largest in China.