The summer holiday season is upon us. While this year at least, there is the opportunity for travel to almost every part of China, Nanjing still affords plenty of ideas for days out. Herein The Nanjinger’s top ten recommendations for 2021.
And with the heat of the Nanjing summer upon us, where better to begin than a water park? Nanjing Maya Beach Water Park is located in Qixia District on the banks of the Yangtze River, approximately 3 kilometres east of Qixia Mountain. The park features the “FlyerSAUCER” water ride, designed by ProSlide, a Canadian firm that has Disney on its list of clients. The saucer’s disc-shaped appearance is composed of a compound curved outer wall and a centre disk surface. The steep angle of the ride at this point creates an accelerated turning experience.
Just 3 kilometres to the west of Lishui District’s main urban area lies Tiansheng Qiao (see main pic). This stunning bridge was the result of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang’s instructions in 1393 to channel a canal from Nanjing to modern-day Zhejiang. Cutting deep into the rocks, workers chiselled away for 10 years to create an opening large enough for sailing ships to pass under. Tiangsheng Qiao is 34 metres long, 9 metres wide, 8.9 metres thick and towers 36 metres above the waters of the “Rouge River”, named on account of the colour of the cliff walls. Tiansheng Qiao is also known as the “Small Three Gorges in the South of the Yangtze River”.
Still in Lishui, the Shenshanhu Scenic Area encompasses the road that is the venue for the Lishui Marathon that tours around lake. The exquisite road also makes for a great bike or jogging trail. Nearby Fujianbian Agriculture Science & Technology Park specialises in ostriches and Nanjing’s freshest strawberries, while in the other direction, Yuyuan Village features ornate ancient architecture around a picturesque lake.
Opened in 2010, the Jiangsu Provincial Chronicles Museum has a collection of nearly 100,000 volumes of miscellaneous records, yearbooks and other documents, many of precious historical value. With its profound cultural heritage, the Jiangsu Provincial Chronicles Museum is gradually becoming a new local touchstone for the dissemination of Jiangsu historical culture. Among the exhibits, a batch of rare copper engravings of Nanjing scenes produced by foreigners in the 17th and 18th centuries donated earlier this year. Visits by appointment only; tel. 86383565.
Out in Tangshan, away from the hot springs, is the World’s Largest Stele, as recognised by Guinness in 2005. Tens of thousands of labourers excavated the three stones comprising the Yangshan Stele in 1405. Many died in the process and were eventually buried in the nearby graveyard. The Tangshan Ming Cultural Village Scenic Area, incorporating the Stele, is offering free entry on 1 July.
Opened this spring as venue for the Jiangsu Horticultural Expo, the Jiangsu Garden Expo Park – Weilai Garden took 3 years to build. Centerpiece for the Park is a former cement factory dating from the Republican era. And it is the history of the surrounding area which provides for an exhilarating backdrop for the development. For the former Longquan Quarry had left behind it nine kilometres of exposed cliff walls. Other industrial remains and derelict factory buildings have been repurposed. Phase one of the development over 3.45 square kilometres features 13 exhibition gardens dotted with pavilions, one for each of the 13 cities of Jiangsu Province. Therein, each displays the city’s local lifestyle and customs.
Nanjing International Friendship Park in the south of Hexi is home to the Nanjing Sister Cities Exhibition Hall. Interactive exhibits make the venue an excellent choice for an educational outing; adults and children alike will find much to enthrall them in the recently-opened ¥20 million facility. Exit 2 from Pungliang Da Jie Metro Station on Line S3. The Exhibition Hall entrance is next to the junction with Lushan Lu.
In far-flung northerly Liuhe District, a pleasant afternoon out awaits in the Nanjing Yeshan National Mine Park. With a kerb weight of 28 tons and a 300 horse power engine, this first generation example of China’s narrow-gauge mining steam train has a top speed of 25 km/h. Take the train (not the decrepit one pictured) to visit the mine and afterward enjoy the local scenery comprising buildings dating from the 1980s that have become a retro social media sensation in the past year.
Huayi Brothers Film Village is ostensibly for the primary purpose of making period films. In reality, it’s where locals turn up to take photos of each other in various sets recreated from movies, some well known, others less so. A decent ice-cream shop and an adjacent lake for boating complete an afternoon out. Located in Jiangning District off Zhengfang Dong Lu.
Finally, one for the geeks. With flights arriving about every 5 minutes throughout the day, Nanjing Lukou International Airport offers ample photographic opportunity for the aviation buffs. Situated beside the airport fence to the south of runway 07/25, the spot is easy to find on any electronic map. Special equipment installed can detect drones in the vicinity to then issue an audio warning.
