Only after finishing this trip

did I realize

that Jinling is more than just a name in books.

The thousand-year Buddhist heritage of the Dabaoen Temple,

the everyday life of Laomendong,

and the ancient treasures in the Nanjing Museum

reveal the timeless spirit of Nanjing.

After getting off the vehicle, we checked straight into a quality hotel downtown

to shake off the fatigue of travel.

Our first stop was the Dabaoen Temple Ruins.

This place has quite a history—

it's the first Buddhist temple in Jiangnan.

Stepping into the park,

the ruins

stand quietly,

with a thousand years of Buddhist heritage settled among the bricks and tiles.

After resting up, we headed deep into the Zhongshan Mountains

to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.

Walking slowly up the 392 stone steps,

covering an elevation gain of 73 meters step by step,

you naturally feel a sense of awe.

After

a hearty breakfast prepared by the hotel,

day two's itinerary was even fuller.

Our first stop was Niushou Mountain,

where the majestic Buddha Summit Palace

is hidden inside the mountain,

and the underground palace is stunningly gorgeous.

Next, we visited the Presidential Palace

and the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre,

before finally strolling through Laomendong

to soak in the everyday vibe of Nanjing.

After a rich breakfast,

we kicked off the last day of our journey.

The highlight of the day was the Nanjing Museum,

from thousand-year-old national treasures to Republic of China-era...