2021 Spring Trip to Yancheng, Xinghua, Huai'an, Xuyi, and Nanjing

Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Xinghua Old Street Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry Site Park Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Laomendong Laomendong Grand Bao'en Temple Ruins Scenic Area Grand Bao'en Temple Ruins Scenic Area Grand Bao'en Temple Ruins Scenic Area Nanjing Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone Nanjing Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone Nanjing Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone Nanjing Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone Yangshan Stele Material Yangshan Stele Material Yangshan Stele Material Presidential Palace Confucius Temple

In March of the south of the Yangtze River, the spring is full of vitality. My wife and I traveled from Yancheng, Xinghua, Huai'an, Xuyi in northern Jiangsu to Nanjing, lasting eight days, enjoying the spring scenery of Jiangnan and tasting Huaiyang cuisine. Day 1: Guangzhou - Yancheng

Took China Southern Airlines flight, flew from Guangzhou to Yancheng, took a taxi to the hotel, had lunch at the nearby Huaiyanglou, then walked to the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall, took a bus to the New Fourth Army Rebuilt Military Headquarters Site, China Sea Salt Museum, Water Street. Stayed at: Yancheng Slow Enjoy Life Hotel

In the morning, took a China Southern Airlines flight to Yancheng Airport.

Took a Didi taxi from the airport to the city, checked into the pre-booked Slow Enjoy Life Hotel. The hotel is in a good location, with the famous old brand restaurant "Huaiyanglou" right downstairs.

After putting down our luggage, we went to Huaiyanglou for lunch. Huaiyanglou is a famous old brand restaurant in Yancheng. Huaiyang cuisine is one of the four traditional major cuisines in China, originating from Yangzhou and Huai'an. The cuisine is full of Huai and Yang characteristics. The ingredients are mostly aquatic products. Huaiyang cuisine mainly uses river and lake fresh ingredients as the main ingredient, supported by top cooking skills, with the original flavor as the best, pursuing the harmony of all tastes, appealing to both refined and popular tastes without losing elegance, especially the unique concept of harmony, refinement, freshness, and novelty. Yancheng is located in northern Jiangsu, bordering Yangzhou and Huai'an, and belongs to the same Huaiyang cuisine system.

Huaiyang Soft Pocket, an authentic Huaiyang dish, actually is eel, and the taste is really very good.

One of the representatives of Huaiyang cuisine, braised lion's head. A major feature of dining in northern Jiangsu is the large portion size. As a couple dining out, we dare not order too much, otherwise it would be wasted.

Yancheng Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall

After lunch, we walked about 10 minutes from the hotel to the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall. The New Fourth Army Memorial Hall is a comprehensive memorial hall reflecting the history of the New Fourth Army's War of Resistance against Japan. The New Fourth Army Memorial Hall consists of three parts: the main museum area, the Jianjun Square, and the military headquarters site. Yancheng was the location of the military headquarters when the New Fourth Army was rebuilt after the Wannan Incident.

Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall

The National Revolutionary Army New Fourth Army, referred to as the New Fourth Army, belonged to the National Government's combat sequence, was an anti-Japanese armed force led by the Chinese Communist Party, and one of the predecessors of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. After the outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japan in 1937, the Communist Party and the Nationalist Party negotiated an agreement, and in October, the Red Army guerrillas in the eight provinces south of the Yangtze River were reorganized into the National Revolutionary Army New Fourth Army. Ye Ting served as the army commander, and Xiang Ying served as the deputy commander. In January 1941, the Wannan Incident broke out. Most of the New Fourth Army headquarters and its troops in southern Anhui were captured, scattered, or sacrificed. Army commander Ye Ting was detained during negotiations, and deputy commander Xiang Ying was killed. The National Government announced the cancellation of the designation of the National Revolutionary Army New Fourth Army. The Chinese Communist Party countered by announcing the rebuilding of the military headquarters, appointing Chen Yi as acting commander of the New Fourth Army, Zhang Yunyi as deputy commander, and Liu Shaoqi as political commissar. The rebuilt New Fourth Army, according to the instructions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, went deep into the enemy's rear in central China, launched anti-Japanese guerrilla wars, and established anti-Japanese base areas. During the eight-year War of Resistance against Japan, the New Fourth Army fought against and pinned down 160,000 Japanese troops and 230,000 puppet troops, fighting more than 22,000 battles, including more than 19,000 battles against Japanese and puppet troops, annihilating more than 310,000 Japanese and puppet troops; and more than 3,000 battles for self-defense against the diehards. The New Fourth Army suffered more than 89,000 casualties in battles. From an initial strength of over 10,000, the New Fourth Army grew to a main force of over 215,000.

Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall

In the center of the square is the monument of the rebuilt military headquarters of the New Fourth Army. The front is inscribed with the monument name by Li Xiannian, and the back is engraved with the inscription "Yanfu Huishi Ji" written by Huang Kecheng.

Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall

Leaders of the New Fourth Army at its initial founding

Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall

Leaders of the six detachments and the advance column of the New Fourth Army before the Wannan Incident

Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall

Leaders after the Wannan Incident when the New Fourth Army headquarters was reorganized

Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall

Military and political chiefs of the seven divisions under the New Fourth Army after the reorganization of the military headquarters

Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall

Handprint wall of the New Fourth Army veterans

Yancheng New Fourth Army Memorial Hall

The famous generals and leaders who once belonged to the New Fourth Army

New Fourth Army Rebuilt Military Headquarters Site

Taishan Temple in Yancheng. It was the location of the military headquarters when the New Fourth Army was rebuilt after the Wannan Incident. It displays the former residences, cultural relics, historical materials, and photos of Liu Shaoqi, Chen Yi, and other leaders.

New Fourth Army Rebuilt Military Headquarters Site New Fourth Army Rebuilt Military Headquarters Site New Fourth Army Rebuilt Military Headquarters Site New Fourth Army Rebuilt Military Headquarters Site New Fourth Army Rebuilt Military Headquarters Site New Fourth Army Rebuilt Military Headquarters Site New Fourth Army Rebuilt Military Headquarters Site New Fourth Army Rebuilt Military Headquarters Site New Fourth Army Rebuilt Military Headquarters Site Yancheng

In March, Yancheng had a gentle breeze and bright sunshine, with flowers in full bloom.

China Sea Salt Museum

Yancheng Sea Salt Museum, a large-scale thematic museum reflecting the long history of China's sea salt civilization.

China Sea Salt Museum China Sea Salt Museum

As an open coastal city, Yancheng has rich resources and unique ecology. The coastal tidal flat area accounts for 67% of Jiangsu Province, making it the largest and most potential land reserve resource in Jiangsu, and the coastline accounts for 56% of the province. Yancheng has a history of salt production for more than 2,100 years, and is the source of the long-standing salt culture along the lower reaches of the Huaihe River and the coast of the Yellow Sea. Throughout history, sea salt culture has always been the mainstay and essence of Yancheng culture, and has become the cultural root of this city.

China Sea Salt Museum

Sculptural buildings shaped like white salt crystals allow people to appreciate the historical civilization of the ancestors' boiling seawater for salt. The completed China Sea Salt Museum systematically reflects the development history of sea salt in China, displays and introduces research results on sea salt culture, and collects and exhibits cultural relics and materials on the history of sea salt in China. The museum uses wax figures, sculptures, sand tables, and other demonstration techniques to present multiple cultural scenes of ancient salt production, such as boiling brine for salt and drying seawater for salt, as well as the lives of salt farmers.

China Sea Salt Museum China Sea Salt Museum China Sea Salt Museum China Sea Salt Museum China Sea Salt Museum China Sea Salt Museum China Sea Salt Museum China Sea Salt Museum Water Street Water Street Water Street

Yancheng Water Street Scenic Area features many modern antique buildings and is the main scenic spot of the Sea Salt Historical and Cultural Scenic Area. This scenic spot aims to highlight local cultural characteristics. Visitors can watch folk stunts and performances, taste local snacks, and buy tourist cultural products and local specialty small commodities.

Water Street Water Street Water Street Water Street Water Street Water Street Water Street Water Street Water Street Water Street Water Street Yancheng

That evening, we still chose to have dinner at Huaiyanglou. The two of us ordered a portion of Braised Shredded Dry Tofu, a large bowl, and the shredded dried tofu came out like noodles, very delicious, but we couldn't finish it together.

A steamer of shrimp dumplings, large in size, juicy and delicious.

Day 2: Yancheng - Xinghua

Yancheng has many places to visit, such as the Red-crowned Crane Wetland Park and the Chinese Milu Deer Park, but we were not very interested. In the morning, we took a bus directly to Xinghua (about 2 hours) from the passenger station. After arriving at the hotel, we dropped off our luggage and took a taxi (37.6 yuan) directly to the Xinghua Qianduo Rape Flower Scenic Area. Seeing that there were many tourists and the sun was directly overhead at noon, we took another taxi (30 yuan) to Lizhong Water Forest Park first. After visiting it, we took another taxi (26.6 yuan) from Lizhong Water Forest Park to the Qianduo Rape Flower Scenic Area. After finishing the tour, we took bus You 2 (3 yuan/person) back to Xinghua city and visited the old city of Xinghua. Stayed at: Xinghua Motel

After breakfast at the hotel, we took a taxi to Yancheng Bus Passenger Station, then took a bus to Xinghua, 28 yuan/person.

After arriving in Xinghua, we checked into the Motel chain hotel located in the old city.

Took a taxi from the hotel to the scenic spots.

Qianduo Scenic Area Lizhong Water Forest Park

Lizhong Water Forest Park is located near Shunsheng Bridge on Xing-Sha Highway in Qianduo Town, Xinghua City, Jiangsu Province, with a forest area of 1,050 mu. In May 2014, the National Tourism Scenic Area Quality Rating Committee officially approved the Lizhong Water Forest Scenic Area in Xinghua City as a national 4A-level tourist attraction, the first national 4A-level scenic spot in Xinghua and the only high-level tourist attraction approved in Taizhou City that year.

Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park

In the early 1980s, local cadres and the masses, in order to rationally develop and utilize the wasteland resources, developed the wasteland into strips of ridges and planted tree species such as pond cypress and metasequoia that adapt to growing in water, with cash crops like taro and rapeseed interplanted in the forest. Now, more than 100,000 planted trees of metasequoia, pond cypress, and other species have grown into a tall, dense, vibrant, and beautiful water garden.

Lizhong Water Forest Park

The Wobo Bridge in the scenic area. Stone bridge lying on waves, pavilions soaring into the clouds.

Lizhong Water Forest Park

In March, everything in northern Jiangsu revives. It is the season when rapeseed flowers are in full bloom, as well as peach blossoms, cherry blossoms, and other flowers. The scenery is extremely beautiful.

Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park

Lizhong Water Forest Park has built many ancillary facilities to facilitate tourists' visits. Wooden plank roads lead to secluded spots, and wooden tables and chairs are full of rustic charm.

Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park

Visitors can choose to take bamboo rafts to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the scenic area.

Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park

The forest stock volume in Lizhong Water Forest Park is 12,500 cubic meters. It forms a unique water town landscape with water in the forest, fish in the water, and birds in the forest. There are many species of birds and wild animals such as owls, wild ducks, egrets, black cuckoos, grass parrots, magpies, etc. At most, there were more than 60,000 birds in the forest. It is the largest artificial wetland forest ecological protection area in the Lixiahe area.

Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Lizhong Water Forest Park Qianduo Scenic Area

Leaving Lizhong Water Forest Park by taxi, less than 10 kilometers away is the Qianduo Rape Flower Scenic Area.

Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area

The Qianduo Rape Flower Scenic Area covers a total area of nearly 10,000 mu, with a core area of 4,600 mu for flower viewing. The natural landscape was formed 750 years ago. In the waterlogged land where soil was extremely scarce, the ancestors took soil from under the water, piled it up piece by piece to form ridges, and built one field after another. Every spring, the planted rapeseed blooms with yellow flowers, forming a beautiful and spectacular sea of rapeseed flowers.

Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area

In the spring season, golden rapeseed flowers bloom on the ridges, like auspicious clouds dancing on the water, or like patches of flowing clouds scattered on the earth. When people are in the endless thousands of ridges of rapeseed flowers, they can feel the intoxicating fragrance of the flowers carried by the wind, giving a feeling of relaxation and happiness, and a sense of beauty beyond what can be expressed.

Rapeseed flowers everywhere in the ridges, rapeseed flowers everywhere in the villages, the scenery of northern Jiangsu rivals that of Jiangnan, and the most beautiful rapeseed flowers are in Xinghua!

Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area

Tour boats shuttle and drift in the sea of Qiantuo flowers.

Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area

Visitors can choose to take a boat tour of the rapeseed flower sea. However, the boat ride is one-way; passengers need to walk back after reaching the end. When we arrived, it was the peak tourist season and exactly the most crowded time. The tourists waiting to board the boats filled the entire pier square, and we would have to wait at least an hour to get on a boat.

Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Qianduo Scenic Area Xinghua Old Street

In the afternoon, we returned to Xinghua and visited the old street in the old city. Xinghua is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province. Xinghua, formerly known as Zhaoyang and also known as Chushui, has a long history. Xinghua Old Street preserves many well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings and former residences of historical figures.

Xinghua Old Street Xinghua Old Street Xinghua Song County Government Office Xinghua Old Street Xinghua Old Street

Smooth and clean large bluestone slabs, the old street with antique charm.

Xinghua Old Street Xinghua Old Street Xinghua Old Street Xinghua Old Street Xinghua Museum Xinghua Museum Xinghua

Day 3: Xinghua - Huai'an - Xuyi

In the morning, we experienced the Xinghua morning tea. In the morning, we visited the old city of Xinghua. At noon, we took a bus to Huai'an (60 yuan/person). Originally, we planned to have a good play in Huai'an, but due to the warm invitation of our comrade-in-arms, we only had 2 hours to check in the main scenic spots in Huai'an, and then went directly to Xuyi. Stayed at: Xuyi Dongchen International Hotel

In the morning, we found an old brand restaurant near the hotel to experience the morning tea culture in northern Jiangsu and taste the morning tea cuisine of Xinghua.

Xinghua Xinghua Xinghua Xinghua Xinghua Xinghua Xinghua Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence

Xinghua is the hometown of the famous Qing Dynasty literati Zheng Banqiao. Today, Zheng Banqiao's former residence has become a tourist attraction.

Zheng Banqiao, originally named Zheng Xie, styled Kerou, also known as Li'an and Banqiao, was a native of Xinghua, Jiangsu. He was a Xiucai in the Kangxi reign, a Juren in the Yongzheng reign, and a Jinshi in the first year of Qianlong. He once served as the magistrate of Fan County and Wei County in Shandong, with remarkable achievements. Later, he lived as a guest in Yangzhou, making a living by selling paintings. He was a famous calligrapher, painter, and writer in the Qing Dynasty, and an important representative of the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou."

Zheng Banqiao only painted orchids, bamboos, and stones in his life, calling himself the orchid that never withers in the four seasons, the evergreen bamboo, the eternal stone, and the unchanging person. His poetry, calligraphy, and painting are known as the three perfections, making him a representative literati painter of the Qing Dynasty. His famous saying "ignorance is bliss" and his pursuit of "would rather eat no meat than live without bamboo" reflect his philosophy.

Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence Xinghua Four-Pillar Archway

Dongyue Temple is a famous Taoist temple in Xinghua's history. Located on East Street in the city of Xinghua, it covers an area of over 800 square meters. Built in 1341 AD, it has a history of over 600 years and is a well-preserved religious activity site.

Xinghua Old Street Xinghua Song County Government Office

Well-preserved Xinghua County Government Office

Li Yuan Boat Hall Li Yuan Boat Hall Li Yuan Boat Hall Li Yuan Boat Hall Li Yuan Boat Hall Li Yuan Boat Hall

Adjacent to the county government office is the private garden of the Qing Dynasty salt merchant Li Xiaobo, known as "Li Yuan."

Li Yuan Boat Hall Li Yuan Boat Hall Li Yuan Boat Hall

The luxurious "Boat Hall" is a testament to the extravagant life of Qing Dynasty salt merchants.

Li Yuan Boat Hall Li Yuan Boat Hall Li Yuan Boat Hall Li Yuan Boat Hall Four-Pillar Archway

Ming Dynasty building "Four-Pillar Archway."

Ming Dynasty building "Four-Pillar Archway."

Inside and out, the Four-Pillar Archway displays a total of 47 plaques from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Four-Pillar Archway Four-Pillar Archway Four-Pillar Archway Xinghua Old Street Zhuangyuan Archway Xinghua Old Street

Xinghua Old Street Xinghua Old Street Xinghua

At 1:00 p.m., we took a bus from Xinghua Passenger Station to Huai'an.

Huai'an South Passenger Station. Huai'an is an important central city in northern Jiangsu. It is located at the intersection of the ancient Huaihe River and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. It has China's fourth largest freshwater lake, Hongze Lake. It is a national historical and cultural city with a history of more than 2,200 years. It is known as the "Capital of Canals" in China. Together with Yangzhou and other places, it is one of the main birthplaces of Huaiyang cuisine and one of the origins of ancient culture in the Jianghuai region. We originally planned to stay two nights in Huai'an to have a good visit. Unexpectedly, our former comrade-in-arms from the Guangzhou Naval Academy, who transferred to work in Xuyi County in the Huai'an area, heard that we were arriving in Huai'an that day and immediately drove to the Huai'an South Passenger Station, insisting on taking us to Xuyi to play. It was hard to refuse the hospitality of our comrade-in-arms, so we had to comply. However, at our request, we asked them to drive and take us to briefly visit the main scenic spots in Huai'an.

Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall

Huai'an is a place of outstanding people, and it is also the hometown of Premier Zhou. The Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall is located at Taohuayin, outside the north gate of Huai'an City. It was completed on January 16, 1992. Deng Xiaoping inscribed the name of the museum. Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, Li Xiannian, Yang Shangkun, and other comrades inscribed the memorial hall. The Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall is a large memorial hall built to commemorate the founding premier of the People's Republic of China, Zhou Enlai, and is a towering monument showing the style of the great man Zhou Enlai.

Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall

The Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall covers a large area, like a big park. It takes at least an hour or two to see it all. With our limited time, we could only take a photo at the entrance and check in.

Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall

The second scenic spot we visited in Huai'an was the Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry Site Park located in the center of Huai'an. This was the official building complex of the Governor-General in charge of the national grain transport affairs during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was large in scale, well-preserved, and rigorously laid out.

Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry Site Park

When the Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties made Beijing their capital, they further excavated the canal to connect the Hebei and Shandong canal channels southward to the Jianghuai regions. Especially during the Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan excavated the Jizhou River, Huitong River, Tonghui River, and other channels, making the Grand Canal run straight through north and south, directly connecting the major economic regions of the north and south. This was another major change in the history of China's canal changes since the Sui Dynasty, laying down the basic direction and scale of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and making the Ming and Qing dynasties the most prosperous period of grain transport. Throughout history, the smooth flow of grain transport on the north-south Grand Canal has played a pivotal role in the political situation of successive feudal dynasties. Especially after the Sui and Tang dynasties, the excavation of the canal and the smooth flow of grain transport were all centered on consolidating and strengthening imperial rule. Every generation of feudal rulers wanted to rely on the smooth grain transport of the canal to take charge of the overall situation and control the whole country. For hundreds of years during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry office was established here to supervise and urge grain transport matters, in charge of the south-to-north grain transportation and north-to-south salt transportation.

Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry Site Park

The gate of the Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry office. The pair of stone lions in front of the gate are made of white alum stone, rare in China. It is said that they were tributes from Persia (now Iran) in the Yuan Dynasty and have high artistic value.

Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry Site Park Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry Site Park Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry Site Park

This large area of ruins is the former main hall of the ministry, which was destroyed in the 1940s. The site of the Governor-General's Office main hall now has 33 column bases remaining.

Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry Site Park Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry Site Park Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry Site Park China Grain Transport Museum

The China Grain Transport Museum is located behind the site of the Grain Transport Governor's Office and is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. As the capital of canals, Huai'an established the China Grain Transport Museum to exhibit grain transport culture. The Huai'an Grain Transport Governor's Office site was one of China's major archaeological discoveries in 2002. The Grain Transport Museum is integrated with the site of the Grain Transport Governor's Office, completely showing the grain transport relics and history to the world.

China Grain Transport Museum China Grain Transport Museum China Grain Transport Museum China Grain Transport Museum China Grain Transport Museum

The Grain Transport Museum has a total construction area of 6,300 square meters, with two floors above ground. The above-ground building adopts the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties in China, with an overall shape in a pin (品) character layout. Here, it centrally displays ancient grain transport (canal water transport) tools and subsidiary leftover items, work and daily necessities from the Grain Transport Governor's Office, letters, notes, ink traces, and daily necessities of those who served as Grain Transport Governors and other grain transport officials (such as Tang Dynasty Vice Prime Minister Liu Yan, Song Dynasty Fan Zhongyan, Ming Dynasty Li Sancai, Shi Kefa, Qing Dynasty Shi Shilun, Qishan, Duan Qirui, etc.), as well as records, securities, measuring tools, and substitutes related to grain circulation throughout history.

China Grain Transport Museum China Grain Transport Museum Zhenhuai Tower Zhenhuai Tower

Zhenhuai Tower is located directly opposite the Governor-General's Grain Transport Ministry office.

Zhenhuai Tower Zhenhuai Tower Zhou Enlai's Former Residence

Zhou Enlai's former residence is located at No. 7 Fuma Lane, Huai'an District, Huai'an City. Zhou Enlai's former residence was where Zhou Enlai lived before the age of 12. In the spring of the second year of the Xuantong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1910), Zhou Enlai left home with his uncle to study in the northeast and never returned. In September 1978, after protection and renovation, the former residence was restored to its original state when Zhou Enlai left home for the northeast. On March 5, 1979, Zhou Enlai's former residence was officially opened to the public. It covers a total area of 1,987.4 square meters. When we arrived at Zhou Enlai's former residence that day, it was already past 5:00 p.m., and the residence was closed to visitors.

Zhou Enlai's Former Residence Zhou Enlai's Former Residence Zhou Enlai's Former Residence

The security guard at the exit of Zhou Enlai's former residence was quite understanding. At our earnest request, he allowed us to look at the exit and take photos. This is the building in the former residence that imitates the Xihuating building where Premier Zhou lived in Zhongnanhai, Beijing.

Zhou Enlai's Former Residence Zhou Enlai's Former Residence Zhou Enlai's Former Residence Zhou Enlai's Former Residence Zhou Enlai's Former Residence Huai'an

After hastily checking in three scenic spots in Huai'an, our comrade-in-arms drove us directly to Xuyi.

The hotel we stayed at in Xuyi County. Xuyi County is a county under the jurisdiction of Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province. Xuyi has a history of more than 2,230 years since its establishment. Now Xuyi is famous as the hometown of crayfish.

Among the comrades-in-arms who once worked and lived at the Guangzhou Naval Academy, three of them returned to Xuyi to work after transferring to civilian jobs. After decades apart, our reunion was exceptionally cordial.

That evening, our comrades-in-arms enthusiastically treated us to famous Xuyi crayfish, braised rooster, and other local specialty dishes.

Xuyi Xuyi Xuyi Xuyi Xuyi Xuyi

Day 4: Xuyi - Nanjing

After breakfast, our comrades-in-arms drove us to visit the Ming Ancestral Mausoleum. In the afternoon, we took a bus to Nanjing. Stayed at: Nanjing

After breakfast at the hotel, the comrades-in-arms in Xuyi drove us to visit the most famous Ming Ancestral Mausoleum in Xuyi.

Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum

The Ming Ancestral Mausoleum is located on the west bank of Hongze Lake in Xuyi County, Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province. It is a cenotaph for Zhu Yuanzhang's great-great-grandfather, great-grandfather, and grandfather, and the actual burial site of his grandfather. After establishing the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang posthumously honored his great-great-grandfather Zhu Bailiu as Emperor Xuan, his great-grandfather Zhu Sijiu as Emperor Heng, and his grandfather Zhu Chuyi as Emperor Yu. In the 19th year of the Hongwu reign (1386 AD), he built the ancestral mausoleum, posthumously enshrining and reburying his grandfather Zhu Chuyi, great-grandfather Zhu Sijiu, and great-great-grandfather Zhu Bailiu as three generations of emperors and empresses. The following year, a sacrificial hall was built in front of the mausoleum. In the 11th year of the Yongle reign (1413 AD), Zhu Di built the Lingxing Gate and surrounding walls, completing the ancestral mausoleum.

Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum

In the 19th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1680 AD), the Ming Ancestral Mausoleum and Sizhou City were submerged by floods. After sleeping at the bottom of Hongze Lake for more than 300 years, it was not until 1963, when the water level of Hongze Lake dropped, that the Ming Ancestral Mausoleum saw the light of day again. After more than 300 years of long-term erosion and impact by lake water, the grave mounds were leveled, most of the original brick and wood buildings on the ground were destroyed, leaving only the Lingxing Gate, the main hall, the east and west side halls' ruins, more than 30 large column bases, and three brick-arched roof buildings. However, most of the 21 pairs of stone statues on both sides of the sacred way were intact. But the wooden buildings had completely disappeared, leaving only the outer city wall and the stone statues excavated and restored later.

The construction of the Ming Ancestral Mausoleum took nearly 30 years, basically imitating the system of Tang and Song imperial mausoleums. The mausoleum complex is rectangular in shape, with three layers of city walls: the outer earth wall, about 3 kilometers in circumference; the middle brick wall, about 1.1 kilometers in circumference; and the inner imperial city, which includes the main hall, the County Service Hall, the divine kitchen, the fasting room, the storehouse, the slaughtering pavilion, the Jade Belt Bridge, etc. On both sides of the sacred way in front of the mausoleum, there are a total of 21 pairs of stone statues, arranged on the central axis from north to south over 850 meters. The stone carvings are large in size, finely carved, with the largest weighing over 20 tons and the smallest over 5 tons. They include 2 pairs of kylin, 6 pairs of stone lions, 2 pairs of sacred way stone pillars, 2 pairs of horse officers, 1 pair of stone horses, 1 pair of horse-leading attendants, 2 pairs of civil officials, 2 pairs of military generals, and 2 pairs of eunuchs. These stone carvings are grand in scale, with superb skills and smooth lines. The overall style is different from the imperial tombs of Fengyang, Xiaoling, and the Ming Tombs, and is similar to the style of Song Dynasty tomb carvings.

Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum

Three hundred years of sleep at the bottom of the lake, the stone statues woke up once.

Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum

After being submerged by the Huaihe River for three hundred years, the Ming Ancestral Mausoleum has beautiful scenery.

Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Ming Ancestral Mausoleum Xuyi

After our comrades-in-arms warmly accompanied us to visit the Ming Ancestral Mausoleum, they invited us to lunch for local specialties. Their warm hospitality was overwhelming. After lunch, we declined their repeated insistence and quickly went to the Xuyi Passenger Station to take a bus to Nanjing.

Xuyi

Day 5: Nanjing

Nanjing is my hometown. I came back to visit my mother who is over 90 years old. Today it rained in Nanjing, so we didn't go out. Stayed at: Nanjing

Nanjing breakfast, soup dumplings and duck blood vermicelli soup.

Visited the Nanjing Ming City Wall in the drizzle.

The Nanjing Ming City Wall, construction began in 1366 and was completed in 1393. It was built according to the terrain, waterways of Nanjing, taking advantage of the mountains and rivers, forming a ring-like layout from the inside out with the Big Dipper and Southern Dipper patterns. The city wall of the capital meanders for 35.3 kilometers, not only the largest city wall in China but also the largest in the world, an outstanding representative of ancient capital construction. As a masterpiece of ancient Chinese military defense facilities and city wall construction technology, the Nanjing Ming City Wall is incomparable to city walls at home and abroad in terms of historical value, ornamental value, archaeological value, as well as architectural design, scale, and function. It has been successfully selected as the world's largest city wall by the World Records Association.

The top of the Nanjing Ming City Wall is paved with bricks and built with "battlements," the serrated low wall on the outer side of the wall top, with stone drainage channels to drain rainwater. The base of the wall also has drainage holes at certain intervals to drain water from the inside of the wall to the outside. Therefore, the foundation and protection works of Nanjing City are relatively solid, enabling it to stand for more than 600 years. The existing city wall is 21.35 kilometers long and is still the largest brick wall in China, designated as a national key cultural relic protection unit. The existing Nanjing Ming City Wall is the wall of Yingtian Prefecture, the capital, with 13 gates and 2 water gates. The wall also has 13,616 battlements and 200 barracks for military defense. In the center of the city, there are also bell and drum towers.

The Nanjing Ming City Wall is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese military defense facilities and city wall construction technology. It is incomparable to city walls at home and abroad in terms of historical value, ornamental value, archaeological value, as well as architectural design, scale, and function. It can be said to be another historical wonder after the Great Wall of China.

The tall city wall and scientific city wall sluice gate.

Day 6: Nanjing

Today we went to Zhonghua Gate, Grand Bao'en Temple, Laomendong, and Confucius Temple to visit Nanjing's scenic spots. Stayed at: Nanjing

Zhonghua Gate Barbican Zhonghua Gate Barbican

Visited Zhonghua Gate of the Nanjing Ming City Wall.

Zhonghua Gate is one of the thirteen Ming Dynasty capital gates of the Nanjing Ming City Wall. Originally named Jubao Gate, it is located at the south end of Zhonghua Road in Qinhuai District, Nanjing. Facing south, it is the largest existing city gate in China and an outstanding representative of ancient defensive architecture. It occupies an important position in the history of city wall construction worldwide and is also the best-preserved, most complex, and largest fortress barbican in the world, known as the "Best Barbican under Heaven." Zhonghua Gate is well-organized and unique in structure. It is an important physical material for studying ancient Chinese military facilities. It occupies an important position in military, historical, cultural, and urban construction history.

Zhonghua Gate is an inner barbican gate in the shape of the character "目" (mu). It has three inner barbicans and four gate walls. Barbicans are set between each pair of walls, forming a structure like the character "目." Each gate has double-leaf iron-clad doors and vertically movable thousand-jin gates, with bolt slots for closing the doors with wooden bolts. The main gate is divided into three levels, with a total of 27 soldier hiding caves, capable of hiding more than 3,000 soldiers. Zhonghua Gate has the inner and outer Qinhuai Rivers running east-west in front and behind, connecting to Changgan Bridge in the south and Zhenhuai Bridge in the north, serving as the traffic throat of the south of old Nanjing.

Zhonghua Gate Barbican Zhonghua Gate Barbican Zhonghua Gate Barbican

Soldier hiding caves on the barbican

Zhonghua Gate was first built during the Yang Wu period and was originally called Jubao Gate. In 1931, the National Government renamed it Zhonghua Gate, with a plaque inscribed "Zhonghua Gate" by Chiang Kai-shek. In November 2012, the Nanjing Ming City Wall, including Zhonghua Gate, was included in the preparatory list of China's World Cultural Heritage.