Nanjing, which used to be known as Jinling or Jian-kang, is the capital city of Jiangsu Province, on China's east coast. As one of the four ancient capitals, Nanjing is a cradle of Chinese civilization as well as a political, economic, and cultural center.

Sun Quan, Emperor of Wu (222-280) was the first ruler to make Nanjing the capital in 229 AD. The last time the city became the capital was during the Republic of China period (1912-1949). Nanjing has been a capital city, on and off, over a longer period of time than any of the other ancient capitals. The successive dynasties and huge social changes that occurred over that period endowed wealth on its residents during times of prosperity and wrought penury on them on its decline. Nanjing nonetheless proved resilient, recovering time and time again to witness the country's revitalization and playing an integral role in preserving Chinese culture and passing it down the generations.

An aerial view of Nanjing's city wall and Jiming Temple in the snow.

The city was also the site of major events such as the signing of the Treaty of Nanjing, which marked the start of the modern period of China (1840-1949), and the establishment of the Republic of China, heralding the period's more favorable conclusion.

Nanjing's glorious cultural heritage, formed over centuries, is evident in the historical sites interspersed among its modern skyscrapers. The city is, in effect, a museum of Chinese history. A visit there offers the chance to recall and reflect on China's glorious but often turbulent past.

The city wall built in the Ming Dynasty was as long as 33,676 meters. More than 600 years later, 21,351 meters of wall still stands, making it China's longest extant city wall.