Nanjing: a Fine City

When Jo was at university in Norwich, I always used to smile at the road signs announcing “Welcome to Norwich, a Fine City”.   It’s a good soubriquet for Nanjing – a city Katie and I both loved.  It’s full of life and grace and charm and it goes crazy at dusk, when everyone comes out to party. Our little hotel – with it’s roof-top breakfast terrace, was right in the heart of things

Canals, boats and bridges have all been taken over by the silk sculptures from the lantern festival.

You can get around by rickshaw, bike or boat and, if you decide to walk, there are beautiful shady boulevards of sycamore trees

Though Katie’s parasol is a far more glamorous way of achieving portable shade 😊

Local people favour mopeds – with duvet covers to keep your hands and knees warm – and room for all the family

A feature of the city parks – as in Suzhou and Shanghai – are the special rocks from the Taihu lake in the Yangtze delta.  The strange shapes and holes have been eroded by the water and the uglier the rock is – and the more holes – the more valuable and lucky it is too!

As in Suzhou – there are pop-up photography studios all across the beautiful historic centre.  Apparently the wedding photos are taken several weeks ahead of the wedding – and don’t necessarily feature the dress the bride wears on her special day!  Don’t you just love the sugar rabbit, with it’s carrot, a very special holiday lollipop!