The best historical attractions in Nanjing, China

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photo by Monan/Flickr

Nanjing, on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, is one of the most booming and exciting cities in China nowadays. Literally, Nanjing means the southern capital, as opposed to Beijing, the northern one. Several powerful Chinese dynasties have considered Nanjing their capital, so the historic and cultural heritage of the city is as rich as it could possibly get.

In Nanjing, you can find history at almost every corner if you look carefully, but there are several amazing attractions that you absolutely can’t miss on your visit. Here are the best historical attractions in Nanjing, China.

City Wall of Nanjing

The city wall of Nanjing was built in the 14th century by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the famous Ming Dynasty that ruled China well into the 17th century. The emperor made Nanjing his capital, and legend says that it was upon the advice of his counselor that he built the wall, in order to consolidate his rule and protect the city against invaders.

Confucius Temple

photo by Iobia

The temple that you can see today is only a remnant of the original one, built in the 11th century by the Song Dynasty. The temple was a place of worship and commemoration visited by people all over China, but unfortunately the structure suffered heavy damage throughout the centuries. Still, the temple is beautiful, and it houses one of the largest Confucius statues in China.

Ruins of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace

In its heyday, this building complex must have been truly dazzling, but unfortunately, what remains today only hints at the former glory of the palace. The 2.5 km long palace was almost completely destroyed by the Qing Dynasty. What remains are the arches of the Meridian Gate, the remains of five Outer Dragon bridges and some wall fragments with ornate carvings.

Ming and Qing Dynasty Tombs

photo by Drnantu

The Ming Tombs on Purple Mountain are probably the most beloved and admired historical sites in Nanjing. The tombs are a Unesco World Heritage Site, not to be confused with the Ming Dynasty Tombs in Beijing.

The whole imperial tomb complex was built according to Feng Shui principles. You can buy a ticket that will allow you to visit all the tombs, and you’ll get free shuttle transport with it too.

Presidential Palace

Since the times of the Ming Dynasty, some sort of important residence or institution has always been housed in what is today known as the Presidential Palace. Most recently, the building was the palace of the president of the Republic of China, before it relocated to Taiwan.

The building was converted into the China Modern History Museum. It is one of the few places in mainland China where the flag of the Republic of China is displayed.

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