Nanjing, China, 2012

Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu province and the second largest city in the East China region with a population of over 8 million people. It was once the capital city of China at different points from the 3rd century to 1949. We spent a weekend there one cold December in 2012. Here are a few snapshots from the visit.

The more modern parts of the city are just like any other Chinese city - car oriented public realm with big wide roads, shopping malls, high rise office and apartments, etc. The charms of Nanjing are seen in some of the streetscapes that are blessed with plain trees, similar to streets seen in the French concession in Shanghai.

It was December when we were there. Exploring some of the back streets we found lots of people drying bacon and sausages.

Sausages galore (prepping for winter and spring festival I guess)

The prevalence of pork meat being cured outside small shops in the areas we walked was intriguing. Pity we didn't have a local guide to explain the local customs.

Different generations like to play chess and cards. I can't help but think if this was today, would the younger people be more on their smartphones.

I returned to Nanjing seven years later in 2019 to present at a conference at Nanjing Forestry University, College of Landscape Architecture. Unfortunately there was no time for site seeing then but I have been promised another invite by the University to return there in the future.