Nanjing Travelogue – Part 2: Museums

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Nanjing Museum is one of China's three major museums (the Palace Museum in Beijing, Taipei Palace Museum, and Nanjing Museum), often abbreviated as Nanyuan or Nanbo. Its predecessor was the National Central Museum, initiated in the 22nd year of the Republic of China (1933) by Cai Yuanpei and others. It is the earliest established museum in China and the first large-scale comprehensive museum built with state investment.

Covering over 130,000 square meters, Nanjing Museum is arranged in a 'One Museum, Six Halls' layout, consisting of the History Hall, Special Exhibition Hall, Digital Hall, Art Hall, Intangible Cultural Heritage Hall, and Republic of China Hall.

1. History Hall (Ancient Civilization of Jiangsu)

3. Republic of China Hall (Old Nanjing)

5. Art Hall (Painting, Calligraphy, Sculpture, Jiangsu Folk Customs)

The Presidential Palace in Nanjing is one of the main representatives of Nanjing's Republican-era architecture and a key site in modern Chinese history. It has a history of over 600 years, dating back to the Guidehou Mansion and Hanwang Mansion in the early Ming Dynasty. In the Qing Dynasty, it became the Jiangning Weaving Bureau and the Office of the Governor-General of Liangjiang, serving as a temporary imperial palace for Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong during their southern tours. After the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom made Tianjing (Nanjing) its capital, a grand Heavenly King's Palace was constructed here. On January 1, 1912, Sun Yat-sen was sworn in as the Provisional President of the Republic of China here, turning it into the Presidential Palace, and later it became the Presidential Palace of the Nanjing Nationalist Government.

Key buildings include the National Government, the Presidential Palace, and affiliated institutions.

Other important structures are Sun Yat-sen's Provisional Presidential Office, the Secretariat, West Garden, Sun Yat-sen's Living Quarters, and the General Staff Headquarters.

Additional buildings include the Executive Yuan, the Tao-Lin Er Gong Ancestral Hall, stables, and East Garden. The site houses over ten historical displays and restored exhibitions, covering artifacts and archives of the Presidential Palace, Sun Yat-sen and the Nanjing Provisional Government, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, the Qing Governor-General of Liangjiang, and more.

4. 1912 Block

Just a wall away from the Presidential Palace lies the Nanjing 1912 Block, a commercial architectural complex characterized by Republican-era culture. It is a successful example of protecting and developing Republican-era and old urban buildings in Nanjing. Comprising 19 Republican-style structures and four street plazas—Gonghe (Republic), Bo'ai (Universal Love), Xinshiji (New Century), and Taipingyang (Pacific)—it forms a trendy commercial and leisure district.

1. Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders

The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, also known as the Jiangdongmen Memorial Hall, is located at the site of the Jiangdongmen massacre and mass burial ground. It is internationally recognized as one of the three major memorial halls for atrocities during World War II.

The memorial hall is divided into four functional zones: the Exhibition and Assembly Zone, the Site Mourning Zone, the Peace Park Zone, and the Collection and Exchange Zone.

(A) Exhibition and Assembly Zone: This zone includes the Historical Archives Exhibition Hall and the Assembly Plaza. The archives display basic and thematic exhibitions. The Assembly Plaza features themed sculptures—such as 'Cries of the Victims' Souls', a landmark monument, a calamity wall, and the Peace Bell. Every year on December 13, people gather here to commemorate the victims, strike the Peace Bell, and issue a peace declaration.

(B) Site Mourning Zone: This zone contains the large sculptural group 'Disaster of the Ancient City', the bronze-sheet path 'Footprints of Historical Witnesses', the poem wall 'Rampant Snow', a stone wall inscribed with the hall's name in Deng Xiaoping's calligraphy, the Cemetery Plaza, reliefs titled 'Calamity', 'Massacre', and 'Memorial', the standing sculpture 'Mother's Call', the 'Mass Grave' site display, the mourning plaza and altar, and the Meditation Hall.

(C) Peace Park Zone: With peace as its theme, this area serves as an important venue for international peace exchanges. It includes the Victory Wall, the Peace Park, the white marble sculpture 'Peace', the Zijincao (Violet) Garden, and a forest planted by Japanese friends.

(D) Collection and Exchange Zone: This area integrates collection, exchange, and office functions, featuring facilities such as an academic lecture hall, a library, and a special collection vault.

2. Three Victories Memorial Hall (Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall)

The Three Victories Memorial Hall is situated north of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, just a short walk from the Peace Park. The 'Three Victories' (Justice Will Prevail, Peace Will Prevail, the People Will Prevail) themed exhibition is divided into five parts: 'The Crimes of the Aggressors', 'Indomitable Resistance', 'The Surrender of Fascism', 'Justice's Judgment', and 'Striving for Lasting Peace'.

3. Yunjin Brocade Museum

Located north of the Memorial Hall, the Yunjin Brocade Museum is China's only museum dedicated to yunjin brocade, primarily showcasing the art of Chinese ethnic brocade, with Nanjing yunjin as its centerpiece. It is listed as one of the 'New 48 Scenic Spots of Jinling'.

Travelogue Contents

1. Nanjing Museum

2. Presidential Palace

3. Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders

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