Connect with summer in Nanjing

A new train service will offer direct and fast access to Nanjing, Mary Katherine Smith reports.

For those looking for a different kind of green than the much-vaunted green technology at Expo 2010 Shanghai, a trip to Nanijng could be a refreshing and adventurous alternative.

As the summer months set in, what better way to enjoy the warmer weather than to spend some time outdoors? And with a new direct train route to Nanjing scheduled to open in July, there are fewer excuses to not take the time to see China beyond Shanghai's concrete playground.

After the new train begins operation, Shanghai's residents and visitors will be able to get to Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province, in just 75 minutes.

Although it is best known for its part in Chinese history, Nanjing also has a lot of outdoor activities on offer - as diverse as taking a paddleboat around a lake, snacking and shopping in a labyrinth of lane shops, and lounging in spa pools.

Start off your outdoor excursion at Xuanwu Lake. The lake, 15 kilometers in circumference, is a favorite for locals and tourists because of its convenient location just north of the downtown area. The tree-lined sidewalks provide a great place for bike riding or a leisurely walk. The paddleboats available for rent are a fun and active way to see the lake, while the amusement park and zoo offer a less strenuous activity.

Another attraction is the Nanjing City Wall, the longest surviving city wall in the world, which borders the southern side of the lake. Remains of the wall can be seen throughout Nanjing and lead to more of the surrounding attractions.

Just south of Xuanwu Lake, and along the city wall, stands Jiming Temple, a tranquil place to reconnect with one's spiritual side. This Buddhist temple dates back to the Jin Dynasty in the early 3rd century and has seen many name changes, and much destruction and rebuilding - the temple was most recently rebuilt in the 1980s. The calm, serene atmosphere and the contrasting views of the picturesque Xuanwu Lake and the city's downtown skyscrapers from the top of the pagoda are one of a kind.

A trip to Nanjing is not complete without a visit to the Confucius Temple. A staple tourist location for Chinese and foreigners alike, there is seldom a day when the temple and surrounding shop lanes and restaurants aren't brimming with people. While the temple closes in the evening, that doesn't stop the masses from sticking around for one of the highlights around the Confucius Temple area - snack street.

Offering a variety of Chinese cuisine, people with empty stomachs will have their fill on pineapple cakes, roujiamou, meat sticks and the Nanjing specialty, duck blood soup.

This outdoor feeding frenzy will be a great way to enjoy some traditional and exotic Chinese fare. After gorging on snacks, walking around the area's extensive lane shops is an ideal way digest your meal, lose some of the extra kuai weighing down your pockets and enjoy a Nanjing summer evening. From T-shirts to tea to trinkets, these shops have a vast selection of goods and offer a good opportunity to practice bargaining skills.

For those in need of a more relaxing outdoor experience, the Tangshan Hot Spring Resort offers a retreat away from the bustling city center. Just a 40-minute drive from downtown Nanjing, the hot springs provide an alternative to high-priced spa treatments. Featuring warm pools filled with many variations of spa treatments, green landscapes and hillside views, guests will feel as if they are living like emperors or esteemed governmental officials who once enjoyed these pleasures.

Some of the pools are even said to provide medical healing.

Floating in what feels like a mug of seeping tea, the tea-infused pools hydrate the skin. The fragrant flower-infused pools calm tense nerves. The mud bath nourishes and rejuvenates the body and skin. And for an exotic exfoliation, the fish pool has scores of tiny nibbling fish that feast on dead skin, munching gently on the feet, legs, stomach and even underarms. Forget high-priced spa exfoliants, an hour in the fish pool and skin will feel renewed and restored. And since the hot springs don't close until 1 am, guests can lounge in the pools and indulge in complimentary fruit, cookies and drinks until late.

With summer here and Nanjing just a quick train ride away, what could make a better getaway?

(China Daily 05/28/2010 page43)