Such a contrast could not be starker. On one side of the road; billions of dollars churning away at earning more money for their makers. On the other; peace, solitude and a whole heap of accompanying real estate, for a foreigner of all things, and one who died here 800 years ago.
Those across the street should rightly weep, at both lost financial opportunity and their own moral undoing.
Prior to it being the altar to commercial hedonism that it is today, the area around Ande Men in Nanjing has long been associated with the paying of respect to the departed.
Not so long ago, a trip to that part of our fair City would hardly raise an eyebrow; “You’re going to see your great great great grandmother?”.
While that still may be the case, and after a 10 year delay, it is also to now visit a tomb that dates back almost a millenia, namely the tomb of Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan, who passed in 1408 at the age of 28.
It also remains one of only two foreign rulers’ tombs in all of the Middle Kingdom. Look a little north to Shandong Province for the Tomb of the King of Sulu in Dezhou, for the other.
With hours of admission always somewhat a mystery, compounded by the Pandemic, it took news of a now-daily opening for The Nanjinger to sit up and take notice. And move its posterior in the direction of Exit 3 at Tianlongsi Metro Station.
A superb English guide to each of the points of interest throughout the scenic spot, available via the QR code located on the introduction to points of interest therein, can accompany a visitor’s tour.
Making it time for a little historical education. The Sultan visited China in order to meet the Yongle Emperor in Nanjing, but fell ill and died along the way (rumours abound he had a fondness for alcohol). But his respect for China had made him declare prior a wish to be buried there. Bilateral ties cemented, the Founder of the Ming Dynasty granted this wish.
Entrance to the Tomb of the King of Ancient Brunei is free, with more parking spaces next to the Tesla charging station a little to the east than you can point a stick at.
