Nanjing Things to Do

1 more image

This gate is the first gate to the graveyard of the Ming Tomb of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. At the foot of the gate is a "Special Notice" tablet inscribed in Japanese, German, Italian, English, French and Russian. It was jointly erected for the preservation of the Ming Tomb in 1909.

The Golden Water Bridge, also called Five-Dragon Bridge, is located on the same north-south axis as the tomb palace. There used to be five paralleled single-arch bridges, corresponding to the five-arch palace gate situated 200 metres to the north. The remaining three bridges were renovated based on the original abutment and stone banks.

4 more images

This tomb is that of the Hongwu Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming dynasty, and his wife Ma Liangliang. Legend says that in order to prevent robbery of the tomb, 13 identical processions of funeral troops started from 13 city gates to obscure the real burying site. The construction of the mausoleum began during the Ming Dynasty in 1381 and ended in 1405, with a huge expenditure of resources involving 100,000 labourers. The original wall of the mausoleum was more than 22.5 kilometres long. The mausoleum was built under heavy guard of 5,000 military troops.

The tomb site today consists of the Civil and Military Gate, the Imperial Tablet Hall, the Sacrificial Hall and the Rectangular Citadel & Ming Tower. Behind the latter is a large mound where the emperor and his queen were buried in a clay vault, 400 meters in diameter. On a stone wall surrounding the vault, 7 Chinese characters were inscribed, identifying the mausoleum of Emperor Ming Taizu (respected title of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang).

Admission: Y70 for Ming Tomb, Y140 for combo ticket.

4 more images

The Stone Elephant Road is located in the Ming Tomb Scenic Area of the Purple Mountains. It is the first section of the Sacred Way and is 615 meters long. Along the road are six kinds of stone animals including lions, Xiezhi (a mythical animal), camels, elephants, unicorns and horses. Carved out of whole pieces of stone in full relief, these animals are imposing and great photo opportunities!

This tomb lies within the Ming Tomb Scenic Area of the Purple Mountains. Sun Quan (182-250 A.D.), was the first emperor of the Wu Kingdom. He ascended the throne in Wuchang to start his reign as Huanglong in 229 A.D. Soon after that, he moved his capital to Jianye (modern day Nanjing). Upon his death he was buried in a hill at the foot of the Purple Mountain together with his former wife of the Bu family.

4 more images

The Purple Mountain Astronomical Observatory exhibits many Chinese astronomical instruments outside. On show is an Abridged Armillary made in 1437 used to measure both the equatorial and horizontal co-ordinates of celestial objects; a Gnomon, also built in 1437, used to determine summer and winter solstices; a Celestial Globe and an Armillary Sphere.

4 more images

Built in 1934, this observatory is at an altitude of 267m (880ft) in the Purple Mountains. Many asteroids were discovered at the observatory and you can go in and see some of the large telescopes and see some of the old Chinese astronomical instruments (see next tip).

Admission: Y15.

4 more images

There's a lovely scenic chairlift that runs up the side of the Purple Mountain. It starts at the western entrance of the park near the city wall and goes up to the Monk Peak Scenic Area via the Purple Mountain Astronomical Observatory. I took it all the way to the top but didn't hang around as there's not a lot to see or do up there except to admire the views which are a bit hazy. I then took the chairlift back down and got off at the observatory station and then walked down the hill from there.

Admission: Y35 one-way or Y60 return.