When you visit the Confucius Temple, you are actually very close to the Qinhuai River, or to be exact, already within the river scenery. The city of Nanjing has been known as "Qinhuai of ten li (five km) long and capitals of six dynasties." The Qinhuai River runs through Nanjing and divided the city into the Inner River and the Outer River. Since ancient times, the river has fostered numerous beautiful sights and sounds, poems and stories in southern China. It was well known for its picturesque scenery in ancient times with houses and halls on both sides of the river, green windows and red doors reflected in the moonlit rippled water on top of the other. The sounds of water lapping gently against boats and oars formed a kind of light music.
The scenery was especially magnificent on grand occasions with boats lighted by beautiful lanterns winding their ways like a floating, flaming dragon. Fortunately, these ancient charming sights and charms have been brought alive after years of restoration on purpose by the municipality of Nanjing. Today, on top of what you can enjoy in ancient times, you can enjoy even more here, and you are sure to be intoxicated intoxicating by the sights and sounds. The river is lined with teahouses, restaurants, brothels and stores; crowded with boats, bright lanterns in the evenings, music and laughter. Now it It has become the most unique cultural area with distinctive local characteristics which combine combining commerce, tourism and folklore. Major sights are the Confucius Temple, Tribute Courtyard, East and West Markets, and Folklore Museum, to name a few.
How to Get There: Take bus No.1 from Xinjeikou roundabout and get off at the last stop.
(china.org.cn February 25, 2003)
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