Davis in China: Nanjing

The final stop with my Dad before returning to Shanghai was Nanjing. The city was the capital of the Ming dynasty. Later it became the capital of the Republic of China until the Republic went into exile in Taiwan. Despite being a city with a storied history, Nanjing is somewhat removed from the western tourist circuit. The number one attraction is the Japanese War of Aggression Museum (aka WWII), which attracts almost exclusively Chinese tourists. It was by far the most crowded museum I have ever been to and yet my Dad and I were the only foreigners there.

The Japanese made Nanjing--then the capital of China--an example for the rest of the country. Its no wonder most Chinese say they will never forgive Japan for Nanjing.

An armband from a Red Cross worker in Nanjing

Germany had a parallel organization to the Red Cross called the Red Swastika who assisted in saving lives and burying victims in Nanjing. Maybe I have my history mixed up, but wasn't Germany allies with Japan and thus enemies of China during WWII?

Binders with the names of each victim from Nanjing

A depiction of the imperial powers carving up China. We're the Eagle!

It seems that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China put aside their differences in Xi'an

A significant portion of the exhibits that give account to the terms of Japan's surrender are dedicated to the return of Taiwan to Chinese sovereignty.

The Nanjing memorial monument

Public art depicting the suffering of Nanjing

Chinese soldiers at the grounds of the Statue of Peace

MING NANJING

There is more to Nanjing then the atrocities of WWII. The City was once the Imperial capital of the mighty Ming Dynasty. Unfortunately most of the Ming Imperial structures were destroyed by the Japanese. The remaining ruins hint at just how impressive those Ming structures would be if they were still standing.

The Ming Imperial Palace grounds are now a public park

All that remains of the Palace are the foundations of the stone pillars

The Qing Imperial Palace in Beijing was modeled after the Ming Palace in Nanjing. The Ming Palace was much larger than the Qing Palace, but today this is all that remains.

The Ming emperor ordered that every brick used to make his palace carry the name and address of the brickmaker. That way if any brick was of inferior quality, the brickmaker could be found and executed.

The main gate of the city wall of Nanjing

The city wall proved an excellent defense of the city until the Japanese showed up with tanks

Looking down at the main gate into the City

The Imperial flag of the Ming dynasty

THE CITY OF NANJING

Nanjing is one of China's largest cities. It has a strong manufacturing sector, especially automobiles and petrochemicals. This has made the city very rich, which is very evident when you walk through the city.