| 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.
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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.
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