Nanjing overview

The former capital of China during both the Ming Dynasty and in the early 20th Century, Nanjing has a storied tradition rarely found elsewhere in the country. Long an epicentre for historical significance, the city these days shows few signs of being anything other than just another big metropolis. However, the sheer magnitude of all that has happened here makes Nanjing well worth a visit. The city itself is a carefully manicured campus of rivers, lakes and parks that blend with gargantuan office blocks and shiny new apartment buildings. Tourists should visit Sun Yat-sen’s tomb, the Zhongshan Lin, as well as several museums chronicling the great Ming Dynasty and the infamous Taiping Rebellion. Uncomfortably hot in summer, spring and autumn allow for the best enjoyment of crumbling ruins, a vibrant nightlife and quality shopping.