River boats
Among the lanterns.
我乃野云鹤 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · 钉钉 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · そらみみ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Caitriana Nicholson from 北京 ~ Beijing, 中国 ~ China — CC BY-SA 2.0 · そらみみ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · MtBell — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 东京村子 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 东京村子 — CC BY-SA 3.0
Nanjing's best-known old quarter, on both banks of the Qinhuai River, which locals call «the mother river»; at its centre stands Fuzimiao, the Temple of Confucius, which grew up around an imperial academy founded here in 337 and was for centuries the city's centre of learning and culture. Beside it is the Jiangnan Examination Hall, once China's largest centre for the imperial examinations, where thousands of candidates were shut for days in tiny cells to write their answers; today it is a museum on the examination system that chose the state's officials for more than a thousand years. Around the temple run pedestrian streets of traditional white-and-black buildings full of restaurants, snack stalls and souvenir shops; in the evening lanterns light the banks and pleasure boats glide along the river, and in spring the area hosts a famous lantern festival. Walking the streets is free, while the temple, the examination museum and boat rides charge separately, per visitor guides. The area is very crowded on holidays, and the evening on the river is the loveliest time.
Among the lanterns.
A unique museum.
And their snacks.
Qinhuai District, south-central Nanjing
Jingjue MosqueNanjing's largest and oldest mosque, in the south of the old city near Sanshan S8 minutes walk4.7
Laomendong Old QuarterA historic quarter in the south of old Nanjing, east of Zhonghua Gate inside the13 minutes walk4.7
Zhonghua Gate and the City WallThe great southern gate of Nanjing's city wall and one of the most complex and b14 minutes walk4.4Walking the streets and riverbanks is free, while the Confucius Temple, the examination museum and boat rides are ticketed separately, per visitor guides.