Nanjing is perhaps most well known for the atrocities it suffered at the hands of the Japanese during WWII, when over 300,000 of the city's populace were killed in a systematic, brutal and appalling massacre. Yet this city has played a key role in the history of China, both as its occasional capital and the center of numerous conflicts. First established as the capital in AD 229, it was later razed to the ground by the Sui Dynasty in a power bid. The Tang Dynasty began the reconstruction of the city and renewed its status as the capital, but it was the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty who finished the reconstruction, capping it off with the world’s longest wall. When the Qing Dynasty took the city in 1864, violent fights and mass suicides led to 100,000 deaths, yet the infrastructure of the city suffered very little damage. Sun Yatsen would be the last to name this great city capital of China when the Republic of China came to power, though it was a short-lived return to prominence. No longer the capital in name, Nanjing is still a hub of culture, commerce and beauty in China.

Despite Nanjing’s bloody history, it is an architecturally beautiful city, with much of its ancient sites still standing beside newer counterparts. Located on the Yantze River Delta basin, there is a natural abundance of resources, from proximity to a water source to a wealth of naturally occurring minerals. In addition, there are several hot springs located near the city. The wide avenues, lush vegetation and relative abundance of parks, trees and plants within the city give off a sense of pleasant abundance. Many of the more popular sites, such as the Sun Yatsen Mausoleum and the Lingyi temple are located on the looming Zijin mountain, but there are also many interesting sites hidden throughout the city and its surrounding suburbs. Not to be overlooked, some of China’s leading art, theatre and dance groups are based in this city. Be sure to check out the Qianxian dance company, or see a performance of Kunqu, Chinas oldest stage art.

The de jure capital, Nanjing is one of the largest cities in the East China Region, second only to neighboring Shanghai. A hub for academic and artistic pursuits, this popular city is also a popular tourist destination and has a growing financial district. The numerous universities and large student body encourage a lively night life, but its three hour proximity to Shanghai allow for convenient weekend getaways if looking for a change of venue. For the culturally inclined, the government hosts a series of festivals throughout the year, the most famous being the International Plum Blossom Festival, to which thousands of tourists flock each year to see the largest collection of plum blossoms in the world.