Beijing to Shanghai: Places to Explore

Nanjing

The name Nanjing means Southern Capital, and for six dynastic periods, as well as during the country's tenure as the Republic of China, the city was China's administrative capital. It was never as successful a capital as Beijing, and the locals chalk up the failures of several dynasties here to bad timing, but it could be that the laid-back atmosphere of the Yangtze Delta just isn't as suited to political intrigue as the north.

Nanjing offers travelers significantly more sites of historical importance than Shanghai. Among the most impressive are the massive Ming Dynasty sections of the city wall, built to surround and protect the city in the 14th century. There are also a number of traditional monuments, tombs, and gates that reflect the glory of Nanjing's capital days.

The city lies on the Yangtze, and the colossal Second Bridge or the more subdued park at Swallow Rock are great places for viewing the river. The sheer amount of activity on the river is testimony to its continued importance as a corridor for shipping and trade. Downtown, the streets are choked with traffic, but the chaotic scene is easily avoided with a visit to any of the large parks. You can also take a short taxi ride to Ziin (Purple) Mountain, where quiet trails lead between Ming Tombs and the grand mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen.

Nanjing at a Glance

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