Recommended cultural and artistic niche attractions in Nanjing: Not only visit Confucius Temple, but also spend a weekend exploring the most beautiful Jinling
Preface
Nanjing is no stranger to everyone, the land of beauties during the Six Dynasties and the imperial home of Jinling. It is conveniently accessible within 1 hour by high-speed rail from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai.
Making this place the first choice for an ideal weekend getaway, in addition to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Qinhuai River, and Confucius Temple, You Xiaojun found some different ways to play this time, with 4 experiences in 48 hours, spanning 2,000 years.
Da Baoen Temple
When people think of temples, they often picture a solemn and awe-inspiring atmosphere. But when the word "ruins" is added to the name of a scenic spot, it becomes even more bland.
But once you step inside this temple, you'll be like, "This isn't a temple, it's a large-scale art exhibition!" This high-tech, millennia-old temple is truly stunning!
The predecessor of Da Baoen Temple was Jianchu Temple and Ashoka Pagoda built during the Chiwu period of Eastern Wu (238-250 AD). It was the second temple in China after the White Horse Temple in Luoyang and the first Buddhist temple in southern China.
The Da Baoen Temple was rebuilt on the original site of Jianchu Temple by Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty in memory of Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty and Empress Ma, and was later destroyed during the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom period.
The Da Baoen Temple we see now was rebuilt on the original site. This reconstruction has perfectly integrated Buddhist culture and modern technology, and it can be said to be a refreshing and beautiful audio-visual feast!
After entering the hall, the vertical architecture immediately gives the originally ordinary-looking ruins a strong sense of art.
Have you ever seen the TV series "National Treasure"? In one episode, the glazed pagoda archway guarded by Qin Hailu was unearthed from Da Bao'en Temple. While the pagoda has vanished into the dust of history, the exquisite archway that remains still offers a glimpse into the splendor of what was once known as the "Seventh Wonder of the World." The original is currently housed in the Nanjing Museum.
In the upper left corner of the picture below is the Ashoka Stupa, the largest unearthed cultural relic so far. It houses the only existing extant Buddha's skull relic, which is currently enshrined in the Buddha's Crown Palace on Niu Shou Mountain in Nanjing.
The coordination of sound, light, electricity, various interactive devices, and the scene art that must be mentioned, all these elements present a historical relic with a strong sense of modern art.
The Buddha's heart is eternal, and people wholeheartedly convert to it. The thousand-year gaze between Xuanzang and the Buddha makes people feel awe. Once you come here, it seems that time around you has stopped.
On the way, you'll pass through a tunnel depicting the story of the Nine-Colored Deer, told in the style of ancient Chinese Buddhist paintings. The familiar scene is like stepping into a time machine, transporting you back to your childhood memories.
Every stunning scene in the Buddhist temple is the result of real effort in design, color matching and craftsmanship. Behind these scenes is a Buddhist Zen saying. For example, in the "Shari Buddha Light" exhibition area, the 84,000 lights that constantly shine and change colors correspond to the "84,000 Dharma doors" in Buddhism. Under the dome is a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha in Nirvana.
After passing through the holy land, you will come to a dreamy space. The entire space will constantly change colors with the large LED screen. There are also illustrations of the best photo spots in the venue, which is very thoughtful.
The large lamps hanging from the branches like Bodhi fruits are very suitable for taking pictures. When standing under the lamp, don't forget to look up. Mr. Feng Zikai's cartoons and some gratitude quotations will be played on the lamp surface in a loop.
This landscape is called "Lotus Pond Sea Assembly" and is said to be donated by Mr. Wang Jianlin. The most popular spot in Da Baoen Temple is the Bodhi tree, where the universe, the ocean, mountains and rivers are displayed on the giant screen.
The scene is like a dream, with a monk meditating under a Bodhi tree, and Zen sayings appear behind him: "Seeing a mountain is not a mountain, seeing water is not water", "There is no Bodhi tree, and a bright mirror is not a stand", making people feel as if they are in the vast Zen spirit, and they can't help but want to meditate and gain enlightenment.
This place is really suitable for taking photos with the effects of water waves and smoke, as if you are in a fairyland!
In the Middle Ages, the glazed pagoda of Da Baoen Temple was considered by Westerners to be comparable to the "Seven Wonders of the World". Made entirely of glazed glass, it is 78.2 meters high. This pagoda has been printed on takeout boxes of American TV series such as "The Big Bang Theory".
Unfortunately, it was destroyed along with the Da Baoen Temple during the Taiping Rebellion. Currently, the scenic area has been restored in the form of a lightweight steel-framed glass protection tower. While fully protecting the ruins, modern technological elements have been added, giving it new meaning and connotation.
Climb to the top of the tower and you'll have a panoramic view of Nanjing. You could spend a whole day here to see everything, enjoying the stunning scenery and visual effects.
Being in the simulated Buddhist palace, with wonderful Buddhist music lingering in your ears and colorful lights creating a mysterious and fantastic scene, it really makes people feel awe and moved.
After a round of walking, try the vegetarian noodles at Da Baoen Temple. The broth is delicious, the noodles are chewy, and they're quite tasty. They currently offer two main dishes: assorted vegetarian noodles (38 yuan) and Luohan vegetarian noodles (42 yuan).
Da Baoen Temple even has a popular tea drink called Yin'en Tea Collection. Their featured milk teas, each with its own unique flavor and blend, represent a specific emotion, such as gratitude to heaven and earth, gratitude to parents, and gratitude to teachers. I personally recommend the "Qinse White Peach" flavor.
Chaotian Palace
Chaotian Palace, which has a history of more than 2,600 years, is rarely seen among the many ancient sites in Nanjing, but it has a great background.
Yeshan, where Chaotian Palace is located, was the site of Yecheng built by King Fuchai of Wu during the Spring and Autumn Period. It is one of the birthplaces of Nanjing's main city.
The name Chaotian Palace was bestowed by Emperor Taizu of Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, with the meaning of "worshiping heaven" and "seeing the emperor". It is not the first building here, but it is the highest-level, largest and most complete ancient building complex in Jiangnan region.
Chaotian Palace has witnessed many vicissitudes of life over the long years and has had many "identities", such as a arsenal, a private garden, an academy of social sciences, a royal Taoist temple, a gunpowder depot, a Confucian temple, and a court.
The palaces, towers and city walls here seem to have developed a soul of their own while being immersed in history, allowing people to see the past and present of Nanjing city when they are among them.
The golden tall trees and red walls and yellow tiles in the museum complement each other, and are dotted with ancient vermilion walls and glazed tiles, sweeping away the desolation and solemnity of winter, giving people a bright and free atmosphere.
This place is named after the emperor, so naturally it has red walls and yellow tiles. Although it has faded a bit, you can still feel its former solemnity.
Therefore, this place has also become a photography spot for many "palace style" enthusiasts. Along the way, you can see many young boys and girls wearing Hanfu. Their figures are integrated with the scene in front of them without any disobedience.
To some extent, Chaotian Palace is not like a tourist check-in point, but more like a place for Nanjing people to spend their time leisurely.
The vast garden-like scenery and quiet and fresh environment make it an excellent place for a leisurely stroll in every season and at any time as long as the weather is fine.
Laomendong
Laomendong is sometimes mistakenly called Laodongmen. In fact, if you know the origin of its name, you will not call it wrong. It is named Laomendong because it is located to the east of the South Gate of Nanjing City. It is a gathering place for traditional residential houses in Nanjing and has been the residence of wealthy families since ancient times.
Now this place is a historical and cultural district where the ancient and modern are intertwined. Modern cultural and creative studios appear behind the white walls and gray tiles, and the ancient heritage is also regaining vitality.
You may have strolled through the streets and alleys here and queued up at Xiao Zheng Su Shaobing, but I'm afraid you have never had an experience like the one in the picture below.
Next to the Laomendong Archway is Jianzi Lane, where there are almost all Hanfu and cheongsam experience halls. Yes, even if you are not in the Hanfu circle, you can still pick out a set of clothes you like here and travel back to ancient times to have fun.
You can also choose to experience cheongsam, which will be provided by a professional makeup artist, and you can choose your hairstyle or makeup according to your preferences.
After the makeup and styling are done, you can choose to take photos outdoors or indoors. The photographer is also very professional and will patiently guide you on how to pose. Including makeup and costume photography, you can get a set of beautiful photos full of Republican style for 299 yuan!
Poly Grand Theatre
Poly Grand Theatre, designed by structuralist architect Zaha Hadid, is Nanjing's latest internet-famous check-in spot.
The overall design gives people a transcendent futuristic and artistic feeling. Being in it is as wonderful as walking into a future movie scene.
Those cold steel bars, concrete and monotonous plate building materials have been transformed into magnificent buildings under the design and application of architects, which is truly amazing.
The Poly Theatre is so large that it is difficult to get a full view of it at a glance. It is a bit difficult to fit the entire building into the camera, but you can choose to look up, which is also very cool.
The entire theater has a unique artistic atmosphere on the outside. It is really a great place to take super photos. Just find the right angle, strike the right pose, and press the shutter to take cool photos.
This wall is the internet-famous wall of the Grand Theater. It feels great wherever you stand!
Pretending to walk in it, the white flowing lines of the theater behind you form a very dynamic background.
Tips:
The best time to take photos of the Poly Theatre is around noon when the sunlight is stronger. The walls photographed at this time will be whiter and cleaner, and the building will cast shadows in the sunlight, which can add a lot of artistic conception to the photos.
Conclusion
When the weather is cold, it is especially difficult to travel far. Why not take a break from your busy schedule and take a weekend walk during the end of the year?
