Mochou
park is a vast open area in the west of the city, consisting of a
pretty lake and pathways. This is a nice place to get away from the
city traffic and noise and it is en - route to the Nanjing
Massacre Museum.
Legend has it that during the Nan Dynasty
a poor girl named Mochou married a man in Nanjing in order to get
enough money to bury her father. Unfortunately, the girl was so
unhappy with her new life that she committed suicide by jumping in the
Mochou Lake .
Despite this sad history, the lake is a
nice place to walk and there are some great go carts
available for hire here if you fancy yourself as the next Nigel
Mansell!
How to get there: Take
bus No.5 from Xinjeikou and get off at Mochou
Hu.
Cost: RMB10
Opening hours: 5am-9pm
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The site of the Memorial of the Nanjing Massacre (datusha jinianguan) is the location of the massacre by Japanese invaders in 1937, and the mass grave of the Chinese who were killed during the atrocities. The Memorial, built in 1985, is an imposing and solemn construction.
The Museum documents the Japanese invasion via graphic pictures, a viewing hall and a display of the furniture that was used during the signing of the Japanese surrender.
The Museum is a somber and depressing place but also provides an insight into the atrocities of 1937. The exhibition ends on a more positive note, documenting the Sino Japanese reconciliation talks in 1945.
However, recent developments regarding right wing Japanese groups claiming that the severity of the massacre is exaggerated, may change this optimistic outlook. Nanjing residents greeted the Japanese claims with great dismay and distress and regard them as a personal affront.
How to get there: The Memorial is in the west of the city. Take bus No. 7 or 5 from Xinjeikou to the last stop.
Opening hours: Daily: 8am-5pm. RMB8.
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Plum Blossom Hill is a pleasant spot located close to the Ming Tombs on Purple Mountain. The area is a garden dotted with plum blossom trees, flowers, picnic spots and statues.
The tombs of Sun Quan (King of the Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms Period) and his wife are located here. This makes a nice walk or a pleasant cycle trip from the city.
How to get there: Take a taxi through Zhongshan Men and turn left at Plum Blossom Hill. (Approximately RMB15 from the center of town).
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Dr. Sun Yatsen's Mausoleum is the most famous site located on Purple Mountain. Dr. Sun is arguably China's most famous revolutionary hero. Images of the first president of China and the founder of the Kuomintang party are everywhere in Nanjing. As relations with Taiwan become more tense, the fact that both sides still worship this man is perhaps an optimistic sign that some peaceful resolution can be reached.
Chinese tourists flock to this spectacular sight in hundreds, making their way up the fabulous marble staircase to pay their respects to the founder of modern China. The tomb itself is striking. The blue and white tiles in the Mausoleum symbolize the Kuomintang flag and the walls are decorated with the full text of "The Guidelines for Establishing a Nation" written by Dr. Sun. The tomb is covered by a sleeping statue of the revolutionary hero. There is also a huge tablet here inscribed with Dr. Sun's "Three Principles of the People" : Nationalism, Democracy and People's livelihood.
How to get there: Take bus No. 9 from Xinjiekou roundabout and get off at the terminus. The Mausoleum is directly in front of the bus park.
Opening hours:7am-6pm.
Cost: RMB15.
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Xuanwu Lake lies outside the northeast city wall and is an enormous urban lake, dotted with causeways and islands. If you arrive in Nanjing at the railway station, the lake is directly in front of you. The lake was originally an imperial resort and then used to train naval soldiers during the Jin Dynasty.
Today, the Lake and the islands are a favorite weekend retreat for Chinese families. The island is accessible either by the causeways or by small boats. There are numerous tea houses and restaurants dotted about the lake. There is also a rather depressing zoo here which it is best to avoid.
How to get there: Take bus No.1 (RMB1) from Gulou to the train station. The Lake is directly opposite. The main gateway to the Lake is on Zhongyang Lu. There is a small and quiet pedestrian path around most of Xuanwu Lake.
Cost: RMB10
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Sightseeing
Index
