Nanjing is located in the lower Yangtze River drainage basin and Yangtze River Delta economic zone. Nanjing has always been one of China most important cities. It served as the capital of China during several historical periods and is listed as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. Nanjing was the capital of the Republic of China before the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Nanjing is also one of the fifteen sub-provincial cities in the People Republic of China administrative structure, enjoying jurisdictional and economic autonomy only slightly less than that of a province. Apart from having been the capital of China for six dynasties and of the Republic of China, Nanjing has also served as a national hub of education, research, transportation and tourism throughout history. It will also host the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics.
Nanjing is the second largest commercial center in the East China region, after Shanghai. It has been ranked fourth by Forbes magazine in its listing of "2008 Top 100 Business Cities in Mainland China", seventh in the evaluation of "Cities with Strongest Comprehensive Strength" issued by the National Statistics Bureau, and second in the evaluation of cities with most sustainable development potential in the Yangtze River Delta. It has also been awarded the title of 2008 Habitat Scroll of Honor of China, Special Award of UN Habitat Scroll of Honor and National Civilized City.
Nanjing City has convenient air, railway, highway and water transport means that connect it with other domestic and international cities.
Nanjing Lukou International Airport is located southeast of the city, about 29 km (18 mi) away from the city center. The five-star, four-star and main three-star hotels in the city all have shuttle buses to the airport. Travelers in the city can get on the shuttle bus at Zhongshan Nanlu Bus Station. There are also shuttle buses to Shanghai Hongqiao and Pudong Airports at Zhongyanmen Bus Station and Jinling Hotel. (Nanjing Airport service tel.: 025-52480482)
there are three passenger railway stations in Nanjing: Nanjing Station, Nanjing West Station and Nanjing South Station. Nanjing West Station operates trains departing from Nanjing; Nanjing Station operates trains transferring at Nanjing; and Nanjing South Station operates short-distance trains to Wuhu, Tongling and other places nearby.
Area Code: 025
Zip Code: 210000
Area: Nanjing, with a total land area of 6,598 square kilometers (2,547.5 sq mi)
Population: over five million
Administrative Division: The sub-provincial city of Nanjing has direct jurisdiction over 11 districts and 2 Counties.
Nanjing is situated in one of the largest economic zones of China, the Yangtze River Delta, which is part of the downstream Yangtze River drainage basin. The Yangtze River flows past the west side of Nanjing City, while the Ningzheng Ridge surrounds the north, east and south side of the city. The city is 300 kilometers west of Shanghai, 1,200 kilometers south of Beijing, and 1,400 kilometers east of Chongqing.
Nanjing belongs to the North subtropical monsoon climate zone with four seasons, plentiful sunshine and rains. The average temperature in a year is 17.8℃ and the amount of precipitation is 1034 mm a year. The height of Summer followed by sunny weather with droughts. Spring and Autumn are marked by dry and cool weather. A frost-free period of about 225 days is good for crop growth.
Alongside Wuhan and Chongqing, Nanjing is traditionally referred to as one of the "Three Furnace-Cities" along the Yangtze River for the perennially high temperatures in the summertime. However, the time from mid-June to the end of July is the plum blossom Meiyu season, during which the city experiences a period of mild, damping rain. Typhoons are uncommon but possible in the late stages of Summer and early part of Autumn.
There are four distinct seasons in Nanjing.
* A warm and humid spring
* A humid and hot summer
* A brief and rainy autumn
* A damp and cold winter
Climate Data Table for Nanjing
Month |
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
maximum temperature (℃) |
7.0 | 8.4 | 13.8 | 20.3 | 25.6 | 29.8 | 31.7 | 32.7 | 27.7 | 22.7 | 16.1 | 9.1 |
minimum temperature (℃) |
-1.1 | 0.6 | 4.6 | 10.6 | 16.1 | 20.5 | 24.2 | 24.5 | 19.3 | 12.8 | 6.1 | 0.4 |
Rainfall (mm) | 37.4 | 47.6 | 81.7 | 73.4 | 102.1 | 193.4 | 185.8 | 128.9 | 71.6 | 65.1 | 50.8 | 24.3 |
Days of rainfall | 1.3 | 2 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 7 | 4.7 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1. 9 | 1.3 |
The Spring is warm and humid. From March, the weather becomes warm and humid with less rain. It is a good time for outdoor activities and tourism.
The rainy season falls in June and July. In Summer, Nanjing becomes one of the three “furnace cities” along the Yangtze River, together with Wuhan and Chongqing. The hottest month is July, with an average high of 32 C and an average low of 25 C. Make sure you have plenty of drinking water with you when you go sightseeing and eat more fruits and vegetables. Please bring hats, sunglasses and sunscreens.
Autumn is short but the most pleasant season. The best time to visit Nanjing is during Autumn, when the weather is cool and dry. Osmanthus flowers are in full blossom in Autumn, leaving sweet scents flowing all over. So a T-shirt and shorts is the best choice.
Nanjing is cold in Winter with occasional snow. The coldest month is January, with an average high of 7deg C and an average low of -7deg C. Winters are cold with lots of rain and fog, the city actually seems to be constantly surrounded by fog. So thick clothes and some moisturizing skin care products are recommended.
Try to plan your Nanjing tour to avoid the peak holidays. Because they are popular with Chinese tourists, Nanjing attractions become more crowded in these periods.
The most crowded seasons in China are Chinese Spring Festival (usually in late Jan or early Feb.), International Labor Day (May 01 to 03) and National Day (Oct 01-07). Spring Festival and the National Day golden week are the most crowded time for travelling.