Silk Road journeys in Jiangsu

II: Three-day tour in Nanjing and Yangzhou

The Jinghai Temple was first built in 1411 under the order of Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di, the third emperor of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)) in honor of Zheng He's courage to lead expeditions across the Indian Ocean. The temple stored the Buddha items, jade wares and other treasures Zheng brought back from his voyages. It used to be one of Nanjing's largest and most grandiose temples. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Between 1405 and 1433, China's most famous navigator Zheng He led his gigantic fleet of over 200 ships on seven epic voyages sailing across the Indian Ocean to over 30 countries and regions districts. A replica of his flagship, also known as treasure boat, is on display at the Zheng He Treasure-Boat Shipyard Park, a site of the shipyard where most ships of Zheng's expeditions were built, near the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in Nanjing, the then capital of Ming Dynasty. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The story of the Tomb of the King of Boni in Nanjing can reveal many clues and information about the friendship between China and Brunei through the ancient Maritime Silk Road 600 years ago. Manarejiana, the King of Brunei, a tributary of Ming, arrived at the Ming Empire's capital Nanjing with Zheng He's fleet in August 1408 and was warmly welcomed. However, Manarejiana fell ill and died in his residence in Nanjing in October. The Emperor Yongle suspended court for three days and sent officials to mourn the king. As the Boni ruler expressed his wish in his testament to "be buried in China", he was laid to rest outside Andemen in Shizigang, southern Nanjing, according to Chinese burial customs. The Tomb of the King of Boni is at the end of a ‘spirit path' with stone sculptures of generals, tigers, and horses aligned on both sides. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Before Zheng He's departure for the seventh voyage across the Indian Ocean in January, 1431 the Jingjue Mosque in Nanjing caught fire and got destroyed. Emperor Xuande rebuilt it at the request of Zheng He. The mosque has been rebuilt twice in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). With an area of 4,000 square meters, the Jingjue Mosque is the largest mosque in Nanjing and remains to be a place for Muslims to join Islamic activities today.[Photo/chinacitytour.com]

Not far from the Jingjue Mosque, the Qinhuai River runs through the central part of Nanjing as the cradle of the city's charming culture. Take a boat trip along the scenic belt of the river, you'll enjoy the spectacular view of many attractions on both sides, such as the Confucius Temple, the Zhonghua Gate and the Zhanyuan Garden. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]