Nanjing Facts

Chinese Name: 南京 nán jīng
Administration Type: Vice-provincial City
Area: 971.62 sq. km (375.1 sq. mi)
Resident Population: 8,436,200
Area Code: 025
Zip Code: 210000
Location: Southwestern Jiangsu Province, lower reaches of Yangtze River (31°14″-32°37″ N, 118°22″-119°14″ E)
 

Nanjing boasts the history of being the capital of six consecutive dynasties, including Kingdom of Wu (222-280), Eastern Jin (317-420), Southern Song (420-479), Southern Qi (479-502), Southern Liang (502-557) and Southern Chen (557-589). During this period, Nanjing was the largest city in the world and experienced the unparalleled prosperity both in handicraft industry and commerce. People enjoyed the rich materials such as grains, silks, porcelains and paper. Thousands of merchant ships both domestic and from abroad anchored along the quay, so that even the ores, western spices and foreign treasures were common in Nanjing at that time.

As a city of nearly 2,600 years’ history and 500 years’ capital history, Nanjing has abundant historical and cultural relics.

Nanjing’s prosperity has a strong bearing on its favorable geographic location. The Yangtze River Delta has China’s most robust economic rim and accounts for twenty percent of China’s GDP. Radiated by Shanghai, together with Wuxi, Suzhou and other cities, Nanjing is fully able to take advantage of Yangtze Delta’s sound industrial base, leading commodity economy, convenient water and land transport, and the foreign trading capacity.
 

Nanjing is characterized by the harmony of mountains, waterscapes and classical gardens.

The most interesting Nanjing fact you should know is that Nanjing is the city of duck. As it is mentioned above, Nanjing enjoys a rich waterscape. And this has created a favorable condition for local people to raise ducks and make duck delicacies. Except for duck feathers, nearly all parts of the duck can be made into delicacies. Thus, a duck feast should be on your list! The popular duck dishes include Duck Blood and Vermicelli Soup, Nanjing Salted Duck, Nanjing Roast Duck, Dried Salted Duck, Duck Oil Sesame Seed Cake, and so on!
Read More:
15 Best Nanjing Foods You Should Try

Top 10 Nanjing Restaurants
 

This piece of Nanjing fact is of great use for tourists. Nanjing has very convenient public transportation. Compared with city bus, the ten metro lines in operation encompass nearly all the famous scenic spots in Nanjing. Tourists can readily arrive at the destinations as soon as they get off the metro station. Only Zhongshan Mountain National Park may take you some time by foot. The metro ticket fare can be paid in cash or by mobile, isn’t it convenient?
 See also: Nanjing Metro
 

March to May in spring and September to November in autumn are the best times to visit Nanjing. The congenial weather enables tourists to enjoy the attractions leisurely. In spring, the fresh air and beautiful cherry blossoms will definitely cheer you up. Also, the cuisines of wild vegetables in this season are worth trying. When the brisk autumn wind starts to blow, tourists can appreciate the red maples on stretching mountains and listen to the rustle of shedding phoenix tree leaves.
 

Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge is the first bridge of double-deck structure for both railway and highway use in China. When walking along this bridge, tourists can appreciate more than two hundred iron reliefs embedded on the banister, which portray the various landscapes in China. Once standing here, everyone can enjoy a plain view of incessant cars and ships, and listen to the rumbling of trains. It is also recommended to appreciate the glimmering Yangtze River at the sunrise and sunset. In the evening, thousands of lamps shine along the bridge, truly like a string of luminous pearls floating on the river.
 

Nanjing Eye Footbridge is a new landmark and the very embodiment of modern vitality in Nanjing. It is 800m (875yd) long and features with two gigantic circular rings at an angle, held in place by cables. Viewed from a distance, the inclined cables are just like the strings of a harp. Tourists’ steps along the bridge are the notes playing a pleasant melody. When night falls, the lights on the bridge change into different colors.
 

Despite the present prosperity, the historic trauma of this city should not be forgotten. On December 13th 1937 the Japanese army launched a 6-week attack on Nanjing and committed violence including massacre, rape, plunder and arson. The number of victims was over 300,000. In Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, numerous historical materials are exhibited, such as on-site photographs, casualties’ bones, survivors’ testimonies, Japanese soldiers’ confessions and military supplies.