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Water Country in Southern China
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 Have you even visited the picturesque water country in southern China? If you haven't, why not pack you luggage and make a tour of Nanjing and Yangzhou, to enjoy the historical sites and ancient culture there?
Nanjing has a history of 2,400 years. Historically eight dynasties made this city their national capital. Now, domestic and foreign tourists alike are drawn to Nanjing for its long history, numerous historical sites and rich produce.
Arriving around noontime, tourists can visit the remains of the Ming Imperial Palace in the afternoon. The Ming Imperial Palace was built by Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), in 1366. This is the palace that imperial architects used as model when planning the Forbidden City in Beijing. In 1645, the Imperial Palace in Nanjing was damaged in war, leaving only the Meridian Gate, Five-Dragon Bridge and the remains of Fengtian Gate.
Upon completing the palace tour, visitors can visit Nanjing Museum and Zijinshan Observatory. Nanjing Museum is a provincial museum showcasing the history and works of art of Jiangsu Province. It is located inside Zhongshan Gate and can be identified by its wooden structure, the style of the Liao Dynasty (916-1125). It has three exhibition halls. Covering 3,514 square meters. The museum has a rich collection of exhibits, including unearthed artifacts, paintings and calligraphic works, and handicrafts.
Zijinshan Observatory is another point of interest in Nanjing that tourists should explore. It was built in 1934, and contains many ancient astronomical measuring devices such as armillary spheres and sundials, that reveal the scientific contributions of the Chinese.
At night, tourists can tour the Qinhuai River by boat. The river is about 100 kilometers long. In ancient times, it was lined with shops and restaurants, and today it remains a flourishing scene.
stone bridge across the river
If they like, the next morning, tourists can take a bus for Yangzhou. Yangzhou is also an ancient city with a history of 2,400 years. To its south is the Yangtze River, and to its east is the Grand Canal. It has convenient transportation facilities and a pleasant climate.
Yangzhou is famous for its scenery and gardens. People can see green hills, blue water, zigzagging lanes, courtyards and gardens, temples and pagodas which dot the city's landscape. Famous gardens in Yangzhou are mostly hidden in narrow lanes, so tourists had better tour them on foot.
Those interested in visiting beautiful He Garden should start from the bus station in Yangzhou, go northward to cross a bridge, and then turn east along Nantong Road on the north bank of the Grand Canal, and then turn north at Xuningmen Street. At this point, you can then see He Garden. |
|  At night, tourists can tour the Qinhuai River by boat. The river is about 100 kilometers long. In ancient times, it was lined with shops and restaurants, and today it remains a flourishing scene.
If they like, the next morning, tourists can take a bus for Yangzhou. Yangzhou is also an ancient city with a history of 2,400 years. To its south is the Yangtze River, and to its east is the Grand Canal. It has convenient transportation facilities and a pleasant climate.
Yangzhou is famous for its scenery and gardens. People can see green hills, blue water, zigzagging lanes, courtyards and gardens, temples and pagodas which dot the city's landscape. Famous gardens in Yangzhou are mostly hidden in narrow lanes, so tourists had better tour them on foot.
Those interested in visiting beautiful He Garden should start from the bus station in Yangzhou, go northward to cross a bridge, and then turn east along Nantong Road on the north bank of the Grand Canal, and then turn north at Xuningmen Street. At this point, you can then see He Garden.
He Garden was originally called Jixiao Mountain Villa, built on the site of Shuanghuai Garden during Emperor Guangxu's Reign by He Zhifang, a high-ranking official, hence its name. It was the last representative garden built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). In the Garden there are rock gardens, ponds and waterside pavilions. The elevated corridors and glass-like pond make the garden seem like a fairyland, Contrasting this is Pianshan Stone House. In the southeastern corner of the garden, which was built by Shi Tao, a renowned painter of the Ming renowned painter of the Ming Dynasty. |
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