Nanjing (meaning southern capital) is one of the six ancient capitals of China (from beginning of the 3rd century to the end of the 6th century), situated at the south bank of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Today, Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu Province and covers an area of 860 square kilometers with a population of more than 5 million.

Various dynasties have made Nanjing their base. The most famous of these periods is when Nanjing was the capital of China during the Ming Dynasty between 1368 and 1644 and also the establishment of the People's Republic of China in the early 20th Century. Many of the city's historical sites date back to these periods and Sun Yatsen's Mausoleum and the Ming Tombs are examples of the wealth of culture existing in this ancient city. Today, the city is renowned for being an educational and cultural center, with a large student (foreign and native Chinese) population. Nanjing is a charming city with tree- lined streets, hills and lakes, making the intense heat of east China's summers more bearable. The pace of life here is slower than many other Chinese cities and Nanjing seems quite conservative in comparison to the brash modern ways of neighboring Shanghai. The local's mantra "man zou" (go slow) is a reflection of the cautious and reserved attitude of many of the city's residents.
There are some 40 universities and colleges plus more than 300 scientific research institutes in modern Nanjing, several art troupes and a theatre for kunqu opera, from which about 100 modern operas in China derived. Nanjing library is the third largest library in China in terms of its collection. The Nanjing Museum boasts a rich collection of arts and crafts. The modern new Nanjing is the economic and cultural center in the lower reaches of the Yangtse River. It has started its voyage to the outside world.