General introduction of Nanjing

Nanjing is a city full of vigor and opportunities. It is a window for you to get a glimpse of real China. Touring,Studying and living here, you may find it changing and growing every day, you may find it a city with Chinese tradition as the background and full of many modern qualities, and you may feel the hospitality of the people here.

Nanjing is situated in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, at 32°03’N and 118°47’E. It borders with the Yangtze River Delta to the east and the hilly areas of South Anhui to the west, adjacent to the water network of Taihu Lake in the south and the Jianghuai Plain in the north. With the "golden waterway" Yangtze River flowing through the city, it is 380km from the Yangtze River’s estuary to the sea, and about 300km to Shanghai, the largest city of China.

Nanjing is in the monsoon climate area of north subtropical zone, with clearly-divided four seasons. Its annual average temperature is 16℃, and the annual average precipitation 1034 mm.

Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu Province with the total area of 6,587.02 square kilometers, and its resident population is 9,314,685（2020）.

Nanjing, an ancient capital of China, enjoys a worldwide reputation for its history and culture. Archaeological findings show that human ancestors lived in Nanjing area around 300,000 years ago, and primitive villages took shape 6000 years ago. These inhabitants were the original local people. From then on, people lived and multiplied in this area generation after generation.

Nanjing, called Ning for short, is located in the Yangtze River Delta. With history of over 6,000 years, Nanjing has become a famous historical and cultural city since it was established 2,500 years ago. Since the 3rd Century AD, 10 dynasties and regimes made Nanjing the capital and established the country: Wu, Eastern Jin, Southern Dynasties (Song, Qi, Liang, Chen), Southern Tang, Ming, Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Republic of China, hence the titles “Ancient Capital for Six Dynasties” and “Capital City for Ten Dynasties”. The history has left abundant Chinese historical and cultural relics in Nanjing. Nanjing was made capital in ten dynasties in history, known as one of the four major ancient capitals in China together with Beijing, Xi’an and Luoyang. In addition to historical sights, its memorials, museums and cultural sights also attract thousands of visitors. The famous Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) is not only a memorial place for the Great Sage but has a surrounding area bustling with shops, restaurants and a snack street housed in traditional architectural buildings. In the city center, Nanjing Museum is a must-go spot for visitors with a collection of more than 420 thousand pieces, including about 2,000 that are rare and valued. The Zijinshan Observatory (Purple Mountain Observatory) to the east of the city center was the first modern observatory built in China.

Qinhuai River, in the southwest of the city, extends one hundred kilometers. The river used to be the most flourishing part of the city in the old days. In many Chinese novels, it is renowned as a place which nurtured beauties and romance. Today, it is a place for people to recall the old splendor of this historical city. Like all sights here, it tells a story of past, present and future of the city.

Nanjing is a city where you can live conveniently and happily. Supermarkets, including Wal-Mart, Carrefour and local Suguo, which spread all around the city, can provide you with all the necessities of your life. Emporiums, located in the downtown area, will make you close to the world-famous brands,just as you are in any modern city of the world.

Various restaurants, as some of which serve traditional Chinese food of all flavors, some serve foreign food, including western food, Indian food and Thai food, may cater for you from different countries and regions.

If you’d like to spend your evening in pubs, you may find ones near large hotels. Adjacent to the Presidential Palace, there is a pub zone called 1912 with traditional Chinese buildings, where you can enjoy yourself to your heart’s content.

Transportation like by bus, train and plane can take you to nearly every city of China. A short trip by air may take you to other big cities of China, such as Beijing and Guangzhou. It only takes you about 1.5 hours from Nanjing to Shanghai or Hangzhou by train.

Life in Nanjing is much slower and more relaxed than in Beijing or Shanghai. It is common to see senior citizens playing chess in the sun or enjoying a radio show next to a busy thoroughfare.

Parks are found all around the city. Most are free and well-maintained. Locals love strolling and picnicking in the green at leisure.

Nanjingers are chatty and friendly. Pedestrians are willing and helpful in giving directions, though most don’t speak English.

Nanjingers Public transportation: Within the city you may choose to travel by bus, taxi, subway or bicycle.

It is generally easy to find an empty taxi downtown but avoid rush hours (6:30-8:00 am, 5:00-7:00 pm). Drivers available for hire light their taxi lamps red (while green means the taxi is not available).

Nanjing is one of the highly-developed cities in China. Nanjing is one of the important industrial bases in East China with strong industrial economic strength, accounting for about 1% of the country total in terms of gross industrial capability. Many foreign multi-national corporations have regarded Nanjing as a good place to establish their foreign branches.

Nanjing, this city is so rich in culture and nature that one will find themselves alternating between ancient and modern with every step with a canopy of cooling foliage overhead. Lush greenery cascades over sweeping hills and mountains. Waterways serpentine through the city of steel and glass. Nanjing, this city of dreams and imperial artistry blossoms like a lotus flower floating along a river oblivious to the outside world.