Sightseeing
China
Here's how we filled the time between meals.
Ming Tombs
The first Ming Emperor built a spectacular tomb site in Nanjing
for himself and his honey. It covers an entire mountainside. Stone animals line
the approach path.
Next comes a series
of gates leading up the mountain.
At last comes the Citadel. From there a path leads through the
trees to the unexcavated tombs.
Gardens
We love gardens, and what better way to spend a hot afternoon than
relaxing in a Chinese garden?
Notice the limestone. Chinese gardens feature large pieces of
eroded limestone with many holes and cracks. It is also common to have
pavilions in the garden; in the past these were used for sitting, reading and
studying. The windows have well chosen views out to the garden.
Water features and bridges are abundant, especially in the delta.
Nanjing Massacre Memorial
The memorial honors the 300,000 Nanjing residents killed by
Japanese soldiers in18 days in December 1937. The memorial is a touching
reminder of the horror of war. This path is made of bronze casts of the feet of
111 eyewitnesses and survivors alive when the new memorial was built in 2002.
In addition to remembering the dead the Nanjing Memorial and those
in Hiroshima and Europe try to teach a larger lesson against war, but the
lesson doesn't seem to be learned.
Pudong
Across the river from Shanghai is Pudong, the all-new part of
Shanghai. To get there, you can ride a tram under the river and be treated to
an entertaining light show.
In Pudong is the Pearl Tower É a great place to visit if you miss
the Space Needle.
