Nanjing history

Founding and First Mentions

The history of Nanjing, one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, is rooted in deep antiquity. The first fortified settlements in this territory appeared during the Spring and Autumn period. It is believed that the city's history began in 495 BC, when the ruler of the State of Wu ordered the construction of the Yecheng fortress here for metal smelting and weapon production. Later, in 333 BC, the rulers of the State of Chu, having conquered this territory, strengthened their positions on Qingliangshan Hill and named the city Jinling, which means "Golden Hill".

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a small fortification into a major metropolis of antiquity was driven by a combination of unique geographical and political conditions:

• Geography and Defence: The city is situated in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, which ensured control over waterways and the fertile lands of the delta. The natural terrain, featuring the river on one side and mountains on the other, created a powerful defensive system described by ancient strategists as a "coiled dragon and crouching tiger".
• Political Status: A decisive moment was the proclamation of the city as the capital of the Eastern Wu kingdom in the 3rd century AD (under the name Jianye). Subsequently, Nanjing served as the capital during the Six Dynasties period, leading to the massive construction of palaces and administrative buildings.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

During the Six Dynasties period (3rd–6th centuries AD), the city became not only an administrative but also a cultural hub of East Asia. Due to an influx of people from the north fleeing wars, a demographic boom occurred, making the city one of the largest in the world at that time.

The economy relied on developed agriculture, trade along the Yangtze River, and craftsmanship. It was during this period that silk and ceramic production flourished here. The city also evolved into a vital centre for Buddhism: sutras were translated, numerous temples were built, and calligraphy and painting developed, setting the tone for all Chinese art.

Major Historical Milestones

• 229 — Emperor Sun Quan moves the capital of the Eastern Wu kingdom to this city, kickstarting its development as a major political centre.
• 1368 — Zhu Yuanzhang founds the Ming Dynasty and makes Nanjing the capital of a unified China, beginning a golden age in the city's history.
• 1366–1386 — The grandiose City Wall of Nanjing is constructed, which remains to this day as one of the longest in the world.
• 1405 — The famous navigator Zheng He sets sail from the Nanjing shipyards on his first expedition to the Western Seas.
• 1421 — Emperor Yongle moves the primary capital to Beijing, yet Nanjing retains the status of the auxiliary southern capital.
• 1912 — Sun Yat-sen takes the oath of office in Nanjing, proclaiming the establishment of the Republic of China and the end of the imperial era.
• 1927 — The city officially becomes the capital of the Republic of China, leading to large-scale architectural modernisation and the construction of administrative buildings.
• 1929 — Construction of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is completed on the slopes of Purple Mountain (Zijin Shan), becoming an important national symbol.
• 1968 — The famous Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge is opened — a massive double-deck structure for road and rail transport.
• 2005 — The first metro line is launched, marking the city's transition to a modern rapid transit system.
• 2014 — Nanjing successfully hosts the Summer Youth Olympic Games, drawing global attention to its culture and infrastructure.

Key Stages of Development and Transformation

Nanjing has journeyed from an ancient military fortress to a modern metropolis that combines historical heritage with advanced technology. The following turning points defined the city's modern appearance and economy:

• Imperial Urbanisation of the Ming Era (14th Century)
  Becoming the capital of unified China in 1368, Nanjing experienced an unprecedented construction boom. The erection of the City Wall (the longest in the world at the time) and the Imperial Palace established a radial-ring structure for the city that is still traceable today. This turned Nanjing into the largest metropolis of the medieval world and cemented its status as an administrative centre.
• Rise of the Silk Weaving Centre
  The historically established specialisation in the production of elite fabrics, especially Yunjin brocade ("Cloud brocade"), made the city a vital economic hub. Imperial manufactories provided employment for thousands of artisans and facilitated capital accumulation, laying the foundations for the region's future light industry.
• Urban Planning Reform of the "Golden Decade" (1927–1937)
  During the period when Nanjing was the capital of the Republic of China, the country's first modern urban development plan was adopted. Wide avenues were laid out (such as Zhongshan Road), the famous plane trees were planted—becoming the city's hallmark—and administrative buildings were constructed in a style blending Chinese tradition with Western functionalism.
• Infrastructure Breakthrough of the 1960s: The Yangtze Bridge
  The completion of the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge in 1968 held strategic importance for the entire country. This structure provided reliable rail and road connections between northern and southern China without the use of ferries for the first time, turning the city into a key logistics hub for East China.
• Creation of a Scientific and Educational Cluster
  The development of Nanjing University and numerous other higher education institutions transformed the city into one of the country's main intellectual centres. A high concentration of students and scientists facilitated the transition of the city's economy to science-intensive tracks and the development of the IT sector in the late 20th century.
• 21st Century Urbanisation: Hexi New Town
  The construction of the ultra-modern Hexi New Town district for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games marked the city's expansion to the west. This created a new Central Business District (CBD) with skyscrapers, exhibition centres, and parks, shifting economic activity closer to the Yangtze River and relieving the historic centre.
• Integration into the Yangtze Delta "One-Hour Circle"
  The launch of high-speed rail lines has made Nanjing accessible in just one hour from Shanghai and Hangzhou. This has boosted tourist flow and strengthened the city's role as the second most significant economic centre in the wealthy Yangtze River Delta region.

Architectural Evolution and Styles

The appearance of Nanjing represents a unique layering of three great eras: imperial antiquity, the Republican period of the early 20th century, and modern futurism. The city is renowned for preserving rare examples of architecture that have vanished in other Chinese megalopolises.

• Traditional Architecture (Ming Era, 14th–17th Centuries)

  During this period, the monumental foundation of the city was laid. The style is characterised by massive fortifications, strict axial symmetry, and the use of the dougong system (wooden brackets). Urban planning strictly followed the principles of Feng Shui, integrating buildings into the landscape between mountains and water.

  Iconic Landmarks: City Wall of Nanjing, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Confucius Temple area (Fuzimiao).

• "Minguo" Style and Neoclassicism (1912–1949)

  Nanjing's "Golden Decade" as the capital of the Republic of China gifted the city a unique architectural style known as the "Chinese Renaissance". This is an eclectic style combining Western technologies (reinforced concrete structures, Beaux-Arts planning) with traditional Chinese elements (curved roofs, glazed tiles, ornaments).

  Iconic Landmarks: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, old campuses of Nanjing University.

• Modernism and Postmodernism (Late 20th Century onwards)

  The modern stage of development is characterised by high-rise construction and bold experiments with form. Glass, steel, and concrete dominate the architecture. The new Central Business District (CBD) demonstrates the influence of high-tech and deconstructivism.

  Iconic Landmarks: Zifeng Tower skyscraper (postmodernism, the design resembles a twisting dragon), Jiangsu Grand Theatre.

Urban Development

Unlike the strictly rectangular street grids of Beijing or Xi'an, Nanjing's historical layout is more free and picturesque ("irregular layout"), dictated by the complex terrain — the presence of the Yangtze River, lakes, and Purple Mountain.

A crucial element of the urban landscape became the wide boulevards laid out in the 1920s. They are lined with French plane trees, the crowns of which meet over the road, forming the famous "green tunnels". Today, the city develops polycentrically: the historic centre within the fortress walls retains its cultural function, while business and financial activity has shifted to the new Hexi district (Hexi New Town) on the banks of the Yangtze.

Distinguished Figures of Nanjing

The history of the city is inextricably linked with the names of great rulers, thinkers, and creators who not only shaped the appearance of Nanjing but also influenced the course of the entire Chinese civilisation.

• Sun Quan (182–252)
  Emperor, Founder of the Eastern Wu Kingdom
  A key figure of the Three Kingdoms era. It was he who, in 229, moved the capital of his state to the city of Jianye (the ancient name of Nanjing), effectively turning a military fortification into the political centre of the region. Under his rule, the active development of the city as the capital of southern China began.
• Wang Xizhi (303–361)
  Calligrapher, Writer, Official
  Known as the "Sage of Calligraphy". He lived and worked in Nanjing (then Jiankang) during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. His writing style became the standard for all subsequent generations of calligraphers in East Asia. He served as a governor and created his masterpieces right here.
• Zhu Yuanzhang (1328–1398)
  Founding Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (Reign title Hongwu)
  The man who returned Nanjing to the status of the main capital of a unified China. By his decree, the grandiose City Wall and the Imperial Palace were built. He is buried in the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum at the foot of Purple Mountain, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Zheng He (1371–1433)
  Admiral, Diplomat, and Traveller
  The legendary navigator who led seven grandiose naval expeditions to the shores of Asia and Africa. His "Golden Fleet" was built at the Longjiang shipyards in Nanjing, and the admiral himself spent the last years of his life in the city, overseeing the construction of the famous Porcelain Tower.
• Cao Xueqin (1715–1763)
  Writer
  Author of one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature — "Dream of the Red Chamber". Born in Nanjing into a family that managed the Imperial Textile Manufactories, his childhood memories of life in Nanjing luxury formed the basis for the description of daily life in his great work.
• Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925)
  Revolutionary, Political Leader
  Revered as the "Father of the Nation" in modern China. In 1912, in Nanjing, he took the oath as the provisional president of the Republic of China, putting an end to a millennial monarchy. According to his will, he was buried in a majestic mausoleum on Purple Mountain in Nanjing.
• Tao Xingzhi (1891–1946)
  Educator and Education Reformer
  An outstanding educator who graduated from Nanjing University. He dedicated his life to promoting mass education in rural areas of China and founded the famous Xiaozhuang School in the suburbs of Nanjing, which became a model for the country's new pedagogical system.