#jiangsu

Mainland Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

Père David's deer Elaphurus davidianus

Traditional translucent horn combs featuring painted designs of a fish and various birds, crafted in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, once prepared as “Palace” combs for the Imperial Court and delivered in brocade boxes.

Meadow in Nantong

Water Towns, also called Canal Towns 水乡 are ancient and historic towns in China known for their bridges, rivers, and canals. Such towns exist in many regions in China, although those in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces are often the most renowned. Suzhou city in Jiangsu province alone has approximately 200 water towns.

In late February/early March, I went to China! This was my second trip there, my first post-COVID. I travelled to 3 cities in the Jiangnan region: Nanjing, Suzhou, and Hangzhou.

Nanjing

南京博物院 - The Nanjing Museum was packed since it was the weekend, but I really enjoyed the recreated Republican era street. Lots of trinkets and ice cream for sale.

总统府 - I wish I had had allocated more time for the former Presidential Palace because it was massive. It was used by Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek’s governments.

夫子庙 - I didn’t go in the actual Confucius Temple, but I had fun walking along the Qinhuai river nearby. It’s very lively there.

江南贡院 - Apparently examinees taking the imperial exam had to stay in these tiny booths! This was at the Imperial Examination Museum near the Confucius Temple.

南京城墙 - I love me a city wall, and the Nanjing City Wall was one of the highlights of my trip. I only walked a small portion of it—you could probably spend most of the day if you wanted.

大报恩寺遗址 - The original Great Bao’en Temple was destroyed during the Taiping Rebellion, but there is a museum and recreated tower built over the remains. At night they do an awesome light show.

明孝陵 - It was unfortunately raining the day I went to Purple Mountain, so I only went to Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. But on the bright side, there were no crowds.