Extra-curricular Activities

 

As one of the ancient capitals of China, Nanjing has a history of 2,500 years with a  wealth of cultural heritage and places of interest. Almost all the major events in modern Chinese history, beginning with the Opium War in 1840, are associated with Nanjing.  Ever since the third century, Nanjing has been the capital of Eastern Wu Dynasty (222-280), the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), Southern Dynasties of Song (420-479), Qi (479-502), Liang (502-557), Chen (557-589), Ming Dynasty (1368-1644, the capital was later moved to Beijing), Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1851-1864) and the Republic of China (1911-1949).

 

While you can explore the various cultural and historical sites on your own, there will be some organized visits to the following places:

 

Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum contains the mortal remains of the father of modern China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen.  His name in mandarin is Zhongshan (middle mountain), a pseudonym he used while residing in Japan prior to the revolution which overthrew the Qing dynasty.  The monument was built in 1926-29 on Purple Mountain just to the east of the City of Nanjing.  Nanjing was where Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, first proclaimed the Republic of China in 1911 and where the government had moved from Beijing in the late 1920’s.  See details and photos at  http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/nanjing/ZHONGSHAN.htm

 

Tomb of the Ming Emperor

The Xiaoling Tomb in Nanjing is the final resting place of Emperor Hongwu of the Ming dynasty, who ruled China from 1368-1398.  After the tomb site had been selected, construction of the tomb began in 1381, but not without difficulty.  The site was already partly occupied by the tomb of Emperor Sun Quan of the kingdom of Wu (died 254 AD).  This did not deter Emperor Hongwu, who had the temple over Sun Quan's tomb moved to another location nearby.  After these preparations, construction began in earnest and continued for over two years.  Records from the time indicate that the majority of workers were criminals who were given work according to the severity of their crime; the heavier the penalty, the heavier the work.  Though many died, Hongwu lived to see the tomb completed and survived for another 15 years.  In the meantime, the Empress Ma Hou, who died in 1382, was interred here with grand ceremony.  About ten years later Hongwu's eldest son (and heir) died unexpectedly, leaving Hongwu to spend five more lonely years on the Dragon Throne before his own death in 1398 at age 71.  He was accompanied to the afterlife by scores of concubines who were burned to death and buried with him. See details and photos at  http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/nanjing/MINGTOMB.htm

 

Provincial Museum

It previously served as the presidential office of the King of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Dr. Sun Yat-sen and  Chiang Kai-shek. It has numerous exhibits dating back from the Neolithic “Peking Man” era right up to 1949.

 

Confucius Temple

The Confucian temple was first built in 1034 during the Song dynasty.  The style of the temple and surrounding buildings is based on the 1869 construction that was burned down during the Japanese sack of Nanjing in 1937.  The current buildings were put up in 1986 using as much of the original stonework as possible.  See details and photos at  http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/nanjing/NANJINGCONFUCIAN.htm

 

City Walls

One of Nanjing's chief attractions is its city wall, constructed from 1366 to 1387 in the early Ming dynasty.  Still largely intact, the wall stands 20 meters high and winds for miles around the city.  Along its length are several important gates, such as Zhonghua gate, an enormous fortress with an area of more than 15,000 square meters.  There are numerous rooms inside that than can hold up to a thousand soldiers each. See details and photos at  http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/nanjing/NANJINGCITYWALLS.htm

 

Xuanwu Park

This is Nanjing’s Central Park. See a photo of it at http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~mittenth/images/china/index46.html.

 

Nanjing Normal (Teachers) University

With beautiful traditional architecture and lies close to Nanjing University (15 minutes' walk). See details and photos at http://www.njnu.edu.cn/english/index.asp

 

Please check the bulletin posted daily for the day’s group activity.

Weekend Tours (to be announced).