History

Between the sixth and 15th centuries, Nanjing served as the capital of dynasties that included the Southern Tang, Song and Ming. While seat of the Ming dynasty, Nanjing became, for the first time, capital of the entire empire of China, before the capital was eventually being moved to Beijing. The Xiaoling Tomb Complex and Ming Palace Ruins are surviving relics of Ming rule, and artifacts such as lacquerware, gold and jade accessories, and fine porcelain can be viewed at Nanjing Museum. The 20th century was a tumultuous time for Nanjing. Dr. Sun Yat-sen, known as the Father of Modern China, established the national seat of government in Nanjing, opening another window of wealth and cultural advancement. By 1937, growing tensions with Japan boiled over, when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded and captured the city in what is now known as the Nanjing Massacre (historically Nanking Massacre). Approximately 300,000 Nanking residents perished, and large swaths of the city were burned to the ground. .