Nanjing Tourist Traps

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Probably my biggest let down of the Purple Mountain attractions was the Ming Xiao Ling (Ming Filial Tomb). The Ming Xiao Ling is one of the famous Ming Tombs. In fact, built in the late 14th century, it pre-dates all the others and served as a model for them. The tomb was built for Emperor Hongwu. The only building that is relatively interesting is the Ming Tower which is a fortress-like building that served as a command point for the whole complex. It is a huge red brick structure with ramps that lead you up to the ramparts. The location is surrounded by the wooded slopes of the Purple Mountain and makes for a park-like atmosphere.
Perhaps the problem with my visit to the Ming Xiao Ling was because of the fact that I took it in late in the day after touring the rest of the Purple Mountain attractions. I was tired and cranky therefore not easy to please. The site is also overpriced at Y50.

Unique Suggestions: I enjoyed the sculptures along the Shiaxing Lu, which is a pathway that leads to the Ming Tower and other pavilions. These sculptures are of various animals such as lions and camels. There are also sculptures of soldiers and mandarins.

The Fuzi Miao is probably the most disappointing of the attractions in Nanjing that I visited. This is probably that by this time in my journey these temples were all beginning to run together.
The Fuzi Miao is a holy site for the followers of Confucius. It was built in 1036 and like most ancient buildings in China it has been restored many times since. In fact the temple was burnt down when the Japanese sacked Nanjing in 1937. The Fuzi Miao was also at one time the home of the Imperial Academy and Gongyuan.

Unique Suggestions: The Dacheng Hall is the most significant building in the temple complex. Inside is a bronze statue of Confucius. At 4.18m in height is the largest such sculpture in China.

There is an world famous glass ball painting artist who is donating his earnings to raise fund for the Nanjing Bridge.

The cheapest painted glass ball will cost you at least RMB250. But we are not sure how much goes to the painter and to the fund.

Elsewhere, you can see the same painted glass ball selling as cheap as RMB50. They also provide the service of writing down names or greetings for you on the glass ball.

A gentlemen dress in suit was seen carrying his son. He will go around asking for $. He will say that he just arrived and was not able to contact his relatives.

He will approach those family with kids and usually asked the father of the family to give him some $ to buy food for the kid.

One of the tour group member gave and he did not walk away. Instead he went on to the rest of the member targeting the fathers to give some more $.

The news spread very fast and the whole tour group knew that they were "professional".

The father even brought the son into KFC to beg for food.

When all our out members were ready to leave Fu Zi Miao KFC, he followed on for quite a distance until we board our coach.

around and she was well dressed too.

Unique Suggestions: Do not soften your heart to "professional beggers". There will be no end to the giving.
I would rather you buy some food for the kid then giving the $ to the father. The mother was hiding somewhere

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Whatever you do don't decide to have a cup of Oolong tea in Yuejiang Tower. It will cost you 30 Yuan!! and... it won't be that nice!!

Everywhere you go in China there are vendors and beggars. Be on the lookout. Here I am standing in front of vendors right at Sun Yat Sen's Mausoleum.