Nanjing

Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu, a province in East China. Located in the Yangtze River Delta, it has been an important city for over a thousand years. Throughout history, Nanjing has served as the capital for many different governments and dynasties, from ancient times up until 1949. This rich history has made Nanjing a center for culture, education, and research.

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 started 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 from 1851 to 1864, 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

The discovery of "Nanjing Man" in Hulu Cave in Jiangning District showed that Homo erectus reached eastern China around 600,000 years ago. Later, the area had Neolithic settlements. Agriculture was practiced in Qixia District by 5000 BC, and a local culture had a kind of rice wine vessel by about 3000 BC.

Ancient history

In 571 BC, the state of Chu established Tangyi in Liuhe. This was the oldest administrative setup in Nanjing. Later, the Wu king fortified Yecheng in Nanjing in 495 BC. The city was rebuilt and expanded over the centuries, becoming an important place.

Capital of the Six Dynasties

The Six Dynasties all had their capitals at Jiankang. This period lasted from AD 222 to 589. Jiankang became a major center, with over a million people at its peak. It was a key place for trade and culture in East Asia.

Destruction and revival

After the Sui dynasty reunified China, Nanjing was almost destroyed but revived later. It became the capital again under the Southern Tang and then the Southern Song. The city grew as a center for textiles and trade.

Southern capital of the Ming dynasty

In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang made Nanjing the capital of the Ming dynasty. He built a large city wall and a new palace. Nanjing was one of the largest cities in the world at the time. The city had many important buildings and was a center for trade and culture.

Qing dynasty and Taiping Rebellion

Under the Qing dynasty, Nanjing was known as Jiangning. It was an important city and was visited by emperors. Later, it became the capital of the Taiping Rebellion but was retaken by Qing forces.

Capital of the Republic and Nanjing Massacre

Nanjing became the capital of the Republic of China in 1912. It was a modern and growing city. However, in 1937 during the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese troops occupied Nanjing and carried out the Nanjing Massacre. The city suffered greatly, and a memorial was later built to remember those who lost their lives.

People's Republic

In 1949, Communist forces captured Nanjing. The government moved to Taipei, and Nanjing became the capital of Jiangsu province. It remains an important city in China today.

Geography

Nanjing, covering 6,598 square kilometres (2,548 sq mi), lies in the Yangtze River Delta in eastern China. The city sits along the Yangtze River, with the Ningzheng Ridge surrounding it to the north, east, and south. It is about 650 kilometres (400 mi) southeast of Luoyang, 900 kilometres (560 mi) south-southeast of Beijing, 270 kilometres (170 mi) west-northwest of Shanghai, and 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) east-northeast of Chongqing.

Nanjing has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and muggy, while winters are cold and damp. The city experiences a rainy season in late spring and early summer. Despite its inland location, Nanjing can sometimes be affected by typhoons in late summer and early autumn. The city is rich in natural resources, including minerals like iron and sulfur, and has abundant water resources from the Yangtze River and groundwater. Notable landmarks include Xuanwu Lake, Mochou Lake, and Purple Mountain, which features historical and cultural sites.

Government

The government of Nanjing is called the "Nanjing Municipal People's Government." It is led by the Chinese Communist Party, with the Party Secretary acting as the main leader and the mayor handling day-to-day operations.

Nanjing is divided into 11 different areas, known as districts.

Demographics

See also: Population of Nanjing in December of 1937

In 2010, Nanjing had a population of 8.005 million people. The city is mostly made up of the Han nationality, which makes up over 98 percent of the population. There are also 50 smaller groups of people living there, 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 also have deep roots in the city.

Economy

Nanjing's economy is mainly based on services, which make up about 60 percent of the city's GDP. Key areas include finance, culture, and tourism. The city is also strong in technology, energy saving, and making smart equipment and tools. Big companies such as Suning Commerce, Yurun, and Sanpower help drive 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 agriculture, especially in rice, cotton, and fish. It is also a major center for finance and technology, with many important companies and research centers located there.

Suburbanization

Since the 1990s, Nanjing has grown quickly, with areas outside the city center becoming more like suburbs. This growth happened because of changes in housing rules and many new people moving in. As suburbs grew, they took in more city residents, making the center less crowded and changing how land is used.

University towns have been important in this growth. Places like Xianlin University Town have many schools and research centers, which 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, helping Nanjing’s economy grow.

Transport

Nanjing is a major transportation hub in eastern China, with a well-developed system of land, water, and air travel. The city has many bridges and tunnels over the Yangtze River, connecting different parts of Nanjing. Public transport is very important here, with many buses and an extensive subway system.

Nanjing is a key railway center, with several important stations including Nanjing Railway Station and Nanjing South Railway Station, which is one of the largest high-speed rail stations in Asia. The city is also served by Lukou International Airport, offering both domestic and international flights. Nanjing Port is a busy river and sea port, and the city is well-connected by many highways and expressways, making it easy to travel to other cities in China.

Culture and art

Nanjing has long been a center of culture and learning in China. During the Tang and Song dynasties, poets gathered here, and later it became the place for imperial exams during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it is known as a "city of culture" with many art groups and galleries.

The city is home to important art groups such as the Qianxian Dance Company and Nanjing Little Red Flower Art Troupe. The Jiangsu Art Gallery showcases traditional and contemporary art. Nanjing also has many museums, libraries, and theaters, including the Nanjing Museum and Jiangsu Province Kun Opera.

Traditional festivals once celebrated in Nanjing have mostly faded, but the city now hosts events like the International Plum Blossom Festival. The Nanjing Library, founded in 1907, is one of the largest in China. The city's cuisine, known as Jinling cuisine, is famous for dishes like Nanjing salted duck and duck blood and vermicelli soup. Nanjing has also been important in the history of Chinese sports and hosts many cultural events and festivals throughout the year.

Education

Nanjing is a major educational hub in southern China, with a long history of over 1,700 years. By 2021, the city had 68 institutions of higher learning, including ten prestigious universities. Nanjing has many highly ranked educational institutions, with 13 universities listed among the top globally.

The city also has a strong focus on scientific research, ranking fifth globally for research output. Notable universities in Nanjing include Nanjing University, Southeast University, and Hohai University, among others. The city is home to many other important universities and colleges, making it a key center for education and research in the region.

Sister cities and twin towns

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

Nanjing is twinned with many cities around the world, including Akko in Israel, Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, and Birmingham in the United Kingdom, among others. These partnerships help to build friendships and share knowledge between different places.

The sister-city relationship with Nagoya, Japan, was paused for a time but friendly connections have since been renewed.

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.