Though many consider Nanjing to lie ''off the beaten track'', the city offers a wealth of cultural, historical and leisure locations. It is a very popular weekend break destination among residents of nearby Shanghai and Suzhou. 

Literally translated as ''Southern Capital,'' the city has served as the political center of the country during a number of periods of Chinese history. It was during the Ming Dynasty

	Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644) Site of Capital: Nanjing, Beijing A 276-year period of rule by Chinese emperors after the overthrow of the Mongol Yuan dynasty. The first century was rich and productive: the Forbidden City was built, porcelain, literature and agriculture flourished, and China established trade links with Africa and Asia. The later period saw withdrawal and decline.   [ Dynasties ]

that most of its cultural relics, including the Nanjing City Wall, Zhu Yuan Zhang's Mausoleum and the Drum Tower, were constructed.

The city is also famed as the starting point of China's first democratic revolution. Led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, this revolution led to the toppling of China's last dynasty, the dismantling of the feudal system and the establishment of the Republic of China. There are numerous cultural and historical sights relating to this period of Chinese history, not the least of which is the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.

Vibrant shopping districts exist alongside ancient cultural locations, particularly around the Fuzi Miao (Confucius Temple). Hundreds of traditional snack shops serve a range of tasty snacks, and the area is famed for its ancient buildings. It has museums, districts both ancient and modern, and a fascinating observatory on the Purple Mountain (Zijinshan).