Nanjing

Main article: [[Nanjing historical capitals|Further information]]

History

Nanjing has been an important city for over a thousand years. It has been the capital for many different governments and dynasties, from ancient times up until 1949.

Modern Nanjing

Today, Nanjing is a busy city with many universities and research centers. It is known for its strong work in science, especially in areas like earth and environmental sciences, chemistry, and physical sciences.

The city is home to famous landmarks such as the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, as well as beautiful natural spots like Xuanwu Lake and Purple Mountain.

Names

The name "Nanjing" means "Southern Capital." It began as an informal name in the 6th century during the Northern and Southern Dynasties era. Over time, it became the official name.

Nanjing has had many other names throughout history. During the Warring States Era, it was called Yuecheng or Jinling. Later, it was known as Jianye and then Jiankang. In the Tang dynasty, it was called Shengzhou, and during the Song dynasty, it was Jiangning. When it was the capital of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, it was called Tianjing. The name Nanjing was officially adopted in 1912 when it became the capital of the new Republic of China.

History

See also: Timeline of Nanjing

Prehistory

We learned about "Nanjing Man" from finds in Hulu Cave in Jiangning District. These show that Homo erectus lived in eastern China as long ago as 600,000 years ago. Later, people lived in Neolithic times here. In Qixia District, farming began by 5000 BC, and around 3000 BC, they had special cups for a kind of rice wine.

Ancient history

In 571 BC, the state of Chu set up a place called Tangyi in Liuhe. This was the first government office in Nanjing. After that, a king from Wu made Yecheng in Nanjing stronger in 495 BC. The city grew bigger and became more important over time.

Capital of the Six Dynasties

The Six Dynasties all chose Jiankang as their capital. This time lasted from AD 222 to 589. Jiankang was a big city, with more than a million people at its peak. It was very important for trade and culture in East Asia.

Destruction and revival

After the Sui dynasty brought all of China together, Nanjing was almost destroyed. But the city came back later. It was the capital again for the Southern Tang and then the Southern Song. The city became a busy place for making clothes and trading.

Southern capital of the Ming dynasty

In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang chose Nanjing to be the capital of the Ming dynasty. He built big walls around the city and a new palace. Nanjing was one of the biggest cities in the world then. It had many important buildings and was a center for trade and culture.

Qing dynasty and Taiping Rebellion

In the time of the Qing dynasty, Nanjing was called Jiangning. It was a famous city that emperors visited. Later, it was the capital during the Taiping Rebellion, but Qing soldiers took it back.

Capital of the Republic and Nanjing Massacre

Nanjing became the capital of the Republic of China in 1912. It was a modern city that was growing fast. But in 1937, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, soldiers from Japan took over Nanjing. The city was hurt very badly during this time. A memorial was built later to honor the people who died.

People's Republic

In 1949, soldiers from the Communist Party took Nanjing. The government moved to Taipei, and Nanjing became the capital of Jiangsu province. Today, Nanjing is still an important city in China.

Geography

Nanjing is a big city in eastern China. It covers 6,598 square kilometres and is part of the Yangtze River Delta. The city is along the Yangtze River, with hills called the Ningzheng Ridge around it.

Nanjing is far from other cities. It is about 650 kilometres southeast of Luoyang, 900 kilometres south-southeast of Beijing, 270 kilometres west-northwest of Shanghai, and 1,200 kilometres east-northeast of Chongqing.

The city has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has four different seasons. Summers are hot and sticky, and winters are cold and wet. There is a rainy season in late spring and early summer. Sometimes, Nanjing can feel effects from typhoons in late summer or early autumn. The area has natural resources like iron and sulfur. It also has plenty of water from the Yangtze River and groundwater. Famous places in Nanjing include Xuanwu Lake, Mochou Lake, and Purple Mountain, which has important historical sites.

Government

The government of Nanjing is called the "Nanjing Municipal People's Government." It is led by the Chinese Communist Party. The Party Secretary is the main leader, and the mayor handles everyday tasks.

Nanjing is divided into 11 different areas, called districts.

Demographics

See also: Population of Nanjing in December of 1937

In 2010, Nanjing had a population of 8.005 million people. Most people in Nanjing are Han, making up over 98 percent of the population. There are also 50 smaller groups, with the Hui group being the largest.

People in Nanjing mainly speak Nanjing Mandarin, though some areas speak Wu Chinese. The city has many religions, including Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam. It is an important place for Buddhist culture and also has a long history of Taoism. Christianity and Islam are also practiced there.

Economy

Nanjing's economy is mainly based on services, which make up about 60 percent of the city's GDP. Important areas include finance, culture, and tourism. The city is also strong in technology, saving energy, and making smart tools. Big companies such as Suning Commerce, Yurun, and Sanpower help the economy, along with international firms like Siemens and Volkswagen.

Nanjing is growing quickly. In 2021, its GDP reached 1,635.32 billion yuan. The city is a leader in farming, especially in rice, cotton, and fish. It is also a major center for finance and technology, with many important companies and research centers there.

Suburbanization

Since the 1990s, Nanjing has grown fast. Areas outside the city center have become like suburbs. This happened because of changes in housing rules and many new people moving in. As suburbs grew, more city residents moved there. This made the center less crowded and changed how land is used.

University towns have been important in this growth. Places like Xianlin University Town have many schools and research centers. They helped build more homes, shops, and better transportation. Other new areas, such as Hexi New Town and Jiangning, have also become busy places to live and work. They help Nanjing’s economy grow.

Transport

Nanjing is a big place for travel in eastern China. It has many ways to get around, including roads, water, and air. The city has lots of bridges and tunnels over the Yangtze River, which helps connect different parts of Nanjing. Public transport is very important here. There are many buses and a big subway system.

Nanjing is also a main spot for trains. It has important stations like Nanjing Railway Station and Nanjing South Railway Station, which is one of the biggest high-speed train stations in Asia. The city has an airport called Lukou International Airport with flights both inside and outside of China. Nanjing Port is a busy place for ships, and the city has many roads and highways to help people travel to other cities in China.

Culture and art

Nanjing has been an important place for culture and learning in China for a long time. During the Tang and Song dynasties, poets met here. Later, it was where people took important tests during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it is called a "city of culture" with many art groups and galleries.

The city has important art groups such as the Qianxian Dance Company and Nanjing Little Red Flower Art Troupe. The Jiangsu Art Gallery shows both old and new art. Nanjing also has many museums, libraries, and theaters, including the Nanjing Museum and Jiangsu Province Kun Opera.

The Nanjing Library, started in 1907, is one of the biggest in China. The city's food, called Jinling cuisine, is famous for dishes like Nanjing salted duck and duck blood and vermicelli soup. Nanjing has played a big role in Chinese sports and holds many cultural events and festivals each year.

Education

Nanjing is an important place for learning in southern China, with a history of over 1,700 years. By 2021, the city had 68 colleges and universities, including ten well-known ones.

Nanjing is also a top place for scientific research, ranking fifth in the world for the amount of research done. Important universities in Nanjing include Nanjing University, Southeast University, and Hohai University, along with many other schools. This makes Nanjing a key center for education and research in the area.

Sister cities and twin towns

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in China

Nanjing has friendly connections with many cities around the world. Some of these cities are Akko in Israel, Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, and Birmingham in the United Kingdom. These links help people learn from each other and make friends across distances.

The friendship with Nagoya in Japan had a short pause but is now strong again.

Notable people

Nanjing has been home to many famous people throughout history.

Some well-known individuals from Nanjing include Tao Hongjing, a scholar from ancient times, and Xueqin Cao, the author of Dream of the Red Chamber. More recent notable figures include Yu Guangzhong, a respected writer and poet, and Gang Tian, a mathematician who teaches at Princeton University.

The city has also produced talented athletes like Luan Jujie, an Olympic gold medalist in fencing, and Wu Lei, a professional footballer. Many other artists, entrepreneurs, and public figures have called Nanjing home.