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Lakes, rivers offer glimpse of history in Nanjing
By Li Anlan |
September 1, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
While the cultural heritage and rich history of Nanjing are worth exploring, the city is blessed with lakes and rivers that deserve attention.
There are several major scenic zones that emphasize the water.
Follow the rivers and lakes while enjoying beautiful natural landscapes, local features and even a bit of history.
Mochou Lake
Mochou Lake has a history of 1,500 years and is set within a 54-hectare park. The landscaped garden features both beautiful natural scenery and historical sites.
Residents who live near the lake area often get a year pass and take walks around the lake in the evenings.
The park was expanded and renovated after 1949, adding corridors, traditional style pavilions and other features while more trees and flowers were planted.
A few ponds feature lotus flowers in the summer.
Famous sites in the garden include a statue of Mochou, the Guangdong Soldiers' Tomb, various pavilions and historic buildings.
After the 1911 Revolution, Sun Yat-Sen pronounced the founding of the Republic of China.
However, Zhang Xun tried to restore the imperial court of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Sun led the Guangdong army and defeated Zhang in the north, protecting the Nanjing government at that time.
The tomb was built by the lake to commemorate the 61 Guangdong soldiers who died in the battle.
The lake is one of the city's most famous attractions.
Take some time to walk around it and through the ancient buildings, sit on a bench surrounded by trees and flowers, or relax in the pavilions along the lakeside and watch the boats go by.
Mochou Lake Park is open daily. Metro Line 2 can take you to the park's north gate at Mochou Lake Station. Tickets are 27 yuan (US$4.25) per person.
Xuanwu Lake
Xuanwu Lake is one of the most well-known scenic spots in Nanjing and is in the heart of the city.
Since 1949, the surrounding area has been expanded by the government, with new flowers planted and more sightseeing spots added.
Xuanwu Lake has five islands and each is a unique scenic spot.
The islands are connected by bridges, which also have distinguished features and are part of the beautiful scenery.
Huan Island features some historical sites including a lamasery and Nuona Pagoda.
Both structures were inspired by Tibetan Buddhism and originally built in 1937 in memory of Nuona Master.
Nuona Pagoda has nine stories and six sides. Its design resembles those built in the Tang (AD 618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties.
Ying Island has a long corridor on its northeast side. In the 1950s, when Soong Ching Ling, Sun Yat-sen's wife, visited Nanjing, she received an international peace award and gave the prize money to the Nanjing government. The money was used to build the corridor.
At that time, Soong was the head of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association. Thus, the corridor was named "Sino-Soviet Friendship Corridor." When first built, it was a bamboo and timber structure and measured 304 meters. In the 1960s, it was changed to cement and steel.
Liang Island is famous for its annual chrysanthemum flower exhibition, which started in 1928.
In 1990, the lake had more than 800 species of chrysanthemum flowers and many have won awards.
Every fall, the island becomes a sea of flowers. Liang Island is also close to Nanjing Train Station.
Cui Island is connected with Liang Island on its east side.
An alumni association built its headquarters on the island in 1935. The building is done in a typical European style.
In the 1920s, a group of students who studied military strategy in Japan started the association to remember the past and get in touch with each other. In 1935, they chose to base the association on Cui Island. Passing the Ling Bridge from the east of Huan Island will lead you to Ling Island in the central area of Xuanwu Lake.
The name "ling" comes from "ling jiao," or water chestnut, which were cultivated on the island in the past.
The ticket to the park is 20 yuan (30 yuan in peak season).
Qinhuai River
Qinhuai River, a branch of the Yangtze River, plays a very important role in the history and culture of Nanjing. It has nurtured the region's civilization and famous poets and writers have written works inspired by the river.
Qinhuai is the city's biggest river. The inner section features historic buildings on its banks that reflect the ancient times of a busy city. At the center of the river's scenic belt is the famous Confucius Temple, or "Fuzi Miao." It was built in 1034 during the Song Dynasty.
The Jiangnan Examination School was established in the Southern Song Dynasty and when Nanjing became the capital city of China during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the school was the examination hall for students from all over China.
The Confucius Temple nowadays is more of a business district, with numerous shops selling products reflecting traditional folk culture or specialty foods. There is also a market for plants and pets like birds, fish and dogs.
Human history is connected to bodies of water. Many famous civilizations around the world originated near major rivers. Exploring the water ways of Nanjing is a chance to understand the history and culture of one of China's great cities.
If you go
From Shanghai to Nanjing
You can take a high-speed train from Shanghai Railway Station to Nanjing Railway Station. The trip takes approximately 75 minutes.
There are also flights departing daily from Pudong International Airport in Shanghai to Lukou International Airport in Nanjing.
To Mochou Lake
Metro Line 2 can take you to the north gate of the park at Mochou Lake Station.
To "Fuzi Miao" (The Confucius Temple)
Take Metro Line 1 to Sanshan Street Station, then walk east along Jiankang Road.
To Xuanwu Lake
Take Metro Line 1 to Xuanwu Gate Station, the entrance to the park is just a few minutes away by walking.
There are several major scenic zones that emphasize the water.
Follow the rivers and lakes while enjoying beautiful natural landscapes, local features and even a bit of history.
Mochou Lake
Mochou Lake has a history of 1,500 years and is set within a 54-hectare park. The landscaped garden features both beautiful natural scenery and historical sites.
Residents who live near the lake area often get a year pass and take walks around the lake in the evenings.
The park was expanded and renovated after 1949, adding corridors, traditional style pavilions and other features while more trees and flowers were planted.
A few ponds feature lotus flowers in the summer.
Famous sites in the garden include a statue of Mochou, the Guangdong Soldiers' Tomb, various pavilions and historic buildings.
After the 1911 Revolution, Sun Yat-Sen pronounced the founding of the Republic of China.
However, Zhang Xun tried to restore the imperial court of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Sun led the Guangdong army and defeated Zhang in the north, protecting the Nanjing government at that time.
The tomb was built by the lake to commemorate the 61 Guangdong soldiers who died in the battle.
The lake is one of the city's most famous attractions.
Take some time to walk around it and through the ancient buildings, sit on a bench surrounded by trees and flowers, or relax in the pavilions along the lakeside and watch the boats go by.
Mochou Lake Park is open daily. Metro Line 2 can take you to the park's north gate at Mochou Lake Station. Tickets are 27 yuan (US$4.25) per person.
Xuanwu Lake
Xuanwu Lake is one of the most well-known scenic spots in Nanjing and is in the heart of the city.
Since 1949, the surrounding area has been expanded by the government, with new flowers planted and more sightseeing spots added.
Xuanwu Lake has five islands and each is a unique scenic spot.
The islands are connected by bridges, which also have distinguished features and are part of the beautiful scenery.
Huan Island features some historical sites including a lamasery and Nuona Pagoda.
Both structures were inspired by Tibetan Buddhism and originally built in 1937 in memory of Nuona Master.
Nuona Pagoda has nine stories and six sides. Its design resembles those built in the Tang (AD 618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties.
Ying Island has a long corridor on its northeast side. In the 1950s, when Soong Ching Ling, Sun Yat-sen's wife, visited Nanjing, she received an international peace award and gave the prize money to the Nanjing government. The money was used to build the corridor.
At that time, Soong was the head of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association. Thus, the corridor was named "Sino-Soviet Friendship Corridor." When first built, it was a bamboo and timber structure and measured 304 meters. In the 1960s, it was changed to cement and steel.
Liang Island is famous for its annual chrysanthemum flower exhibition, which started in 1928.
In 1990, the lake had more than 800 species of chrysanthemum flowers and many have won awards.
Every fall, the island becomes a sea of flowers. Liang Island is also close to Nanjing Train Station.
Cui Island is connected with Liang Island on its east side.
An alumni association built its headquarters on the island in 1935. The building is done in a typical European style.
In the 1920s, a group of students who studied military strategy in Japan started the association to remember the past and get in touch with each other. In 1935, they chose to base the association on Cui Island. Passing the Ling Bridge from the east of Huan Island will lead you to Ling Island in the central area of Xuanwu Lake.
The name "ling" comes from "ling jiao," or water chestnut, which were cultivated on the island in the past.
The ticket to the park is 20 yuan (30 yuan in peak season).
Qinhuai River
Qinhuai River, a branch of the Yangtze River, plays a very important role in the history and culture of Nanjing. It has nurtured the region's civilization and famous poets and writers have written works inspired by the river.
Qinhuai is the city's biggest river. The inner section features historic buildings on its banks that reflect the ancient times of a busy city. At the center of the river's scenic belt is the famous Confucius Temple, or "Fuzi Miao." It was built in 1034 during the Song Dynasty.
The Jiangnan Examination School was established in the Southern Song Dynasty and when Nanjing became the capital city of China during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the school was the examination hall for students from all over China.
The Confucius Temple nowadays is more of a business district, with numerous shops selling products reflecting traditional folk culture or specialty foods. There is also a market for plants and pets like birds, fish and dogs.
Human history is connected to bodies of water. Many famous civilizations around the world originated near major rivers. Exploring the water ways of Nanjing is a chance to understand the history and culture of one of China's great cities.
If you go
From Shanghai to Nanjing
You can take a high-speed train from Shanghai Railway Station to Nanjing Railway Station. The trip takes approximately 75 minutes.
There are also flights departing daily from Pudong International Airport in Shanghai to Lukou International Airport in Nanjing.
To Mochou Lake
Metro Line 2 can take you to the north gate of the park at Mochou Lake Station.
To "Fuzi Miao" (The Confucius Temple)
Take Metro Line 1 to Sanshan Street Station, then walk east along Jiankang Road.
To Xuanwu Lake
Take Metro Line 1 to Xuanwu Gate Station, the entrance to the park is just a few minutes away by walking.
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