Before being invited to go on a press to Nanjing, China, I had never even heard of Nanjing. Though visiting China had long been on my Bucket List, I always imagined my first experience would be in one of China’s better-known tourists destinations like Shanghai, Beijing, or Hong Kong. But now that I’ve been, I can’t imagine a better destination for a first-time visitor. Here are my top 10 reasons you should go to Nanjing, China.
Harmony with Old and New
Having served as the capital of China through 10 dynasties for over 1800 years, Nanjing is a huge city with a population of approximately 8 million people. In spite of being a booming metropolis with modern architecture, hotels, shopping, and nightlife, the city has done a spectacular job of preserving Chinese culture and traditions as well as centuries-old structures.
Niushoushan Cultural Park
If you only have one day to spend in Nanjing, go to the Niushoushan Cultural Park. The park is located on Niushou Mountain, an ancient Buddhist site. There you can explore the Pagoda of Hongjue Temple, the Usnisa Pagoda, the Usnisa Temple, and the architecturally magnificent Usnisa Palace. The Thousand-Buddha Hall located several stories under the palace is probably the most fascinating room I’ve ever been in. It’s colorful, ornate decor is something Disney’s best animators would have a hard time imagining.
Purple Mountain
Immaculate landscaping, statues, and walking trails are just part of what makes the national park at Nanjing’s beautiful Purple Mountain a photographer’s paradise. The site is home to several significant cultural and historical relics including the Xiaolin Tomb of the Ming Dynasty (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum. Get there early if you want to snap some photos before the crowds arrive.
Nanjing City Wall
If you love history and UNESCO World Heritage sites, then visiting the Nanjing City Wall (Ming Wall) is a must. Sometimes referred to as China’s “Other Great Wall,” the wall was built over a period of 26 years during the Ming Dynasty and at 22 miles was the longest city wall in the world. The Nanjing City Wall is taller and wider than much of the Great Wall.
Qinhuai River
The Qinhuai River flows into Nanjing from the Yangtze River and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. There are super-fun pedestrian-friendly streets with shops, bars, and restaurants near Nanjing’s Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao). I highly recommend taking one of the river cruises from the Panchi Wharf to admire the scenery. Better yet, go at night – the lights are spectacular!
The Grand Bao’en Temple
The Porcelain Tower of the Grand Bao’en Temple was once considered one of the Seven Medieval Wonders of the World. The original tower was destroyed during the Taiping Revolution in the 19th century. The modern replica of the tower now sits on the site of the original and houses a museum and Buddhist cultural center. Spectacular views of Nanjing can be seen from the top. A few years ago, a casket within a casket was discovered buried beneath the temple said to contain Buddha’s skull. The skull relic now resides in the Niushoushan Cultural Park but is only on display during certain religious ceremonies. The site is still undergoing archeological exploration.
Master Gao Brew Pub
If you’re into craft beer, you’ve got to visit one of Gao Yan’s brew pubs in Nanjing. After living and working in New England for 14 years Gao returned to his hometown, Nanjing. Unable to find good beer like he had in the USA, Gao began brewing his own craft beers. In 2008 he opened Master Gao Brewing, the first craft beer brewery in China. Many considered Gao to be the father of China’s emerging craft beer culture. Master Gao’s Jasmine Lager and Baby IPA were two of my favorites.
Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre
In 1937 Japanese invaders occupied Nanjing and murdered approximately 300,000 civilians. The Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre is a museum that memorializes the victims. The heartbreaking exhibits are a solemn reminder of the atrocities of war. It’s not a fun place to visit, but it’s important. The mood is very heavy and somber. The only other time I’ve ever experienced something like this in my travels was at the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Food
Nanjing offers an endless variety of food options – everything from street food to fine upscale dining. Many of the restaurants served food family-style with dishes placed on a giant Lazy-Susan in the middle of the table making it easy to sample a wide variety of foods. I’ve never been a big fan of vegetables – I’m more of a carnivore. But with the way fresh vegetables were prepared, combined and seasoned, I could easily be a vegetarian in Nanjing. Duck seems to be available on almost every menu in an endless number of ways and I enjoyed it every chance I got. I also blame Nanjing for my new addiction to dumplings and steamed buns.
Value
While I was in China, I did get to visit Beijing and Shanghai – both of which are accessible via bullettrain. Comparatively, I found Nanjing to be a great value especially in terms of prices for food and hotels. That could be because Nanjing isn’t known as a popular tourist destination like the other two …yet! Better get there soon!
Special Thanks
Special thanks to The Grand Mansion Nanjing for treating me like royalty and exceeding all expectations during my stay in Nanjing. This Luxury Collection Hotel had by far the best breakfast buffet I’ve ever experienced! Unsurprisingly, the hotel also had an awesome state-of-the-art fitness center where I could burn off those extra calories I consumed each morning at breakfast!
Special thanks to the amazing Yangtze Boutique Hotel in Shanghai for the wonderful accommodations and incredible service from the time I arrived from the airport to the time I departed to Nanjing the next day.
What would you most like to experience in China?
