As one of the most attractive major cities in China, Nanjing (historically Nanking) is situated in the lower reach of the Yangtze River. It sports a long historical heritage and has served as the capitals of six dynasties. In Chinese language, Nanjing means "southern capital", Beijing - "northern capital". Most of the Nanjing's attractions are reminders of the city's past glory, especially under the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

With the Yangtze River on the north side, and surrounded on the other three sides by hills, Nanjing was thought to be auspicious as well as strategically important. The Nanjing area has been inhabited for about 5000 years, and a number of prehistoric sites have been discovered in or around the city. Recorded history, however, begins in the Warring States Period (475 – 221 BC), when Nanjing emerged as a strategic object of conflict. In 475 BC, Guojian, King of the State of Yue, conquered the State of Wu, and Fanli, his prime minister, built a city at Changganli of Nanjing, which was the first city wall of Nanjing. In 334 BC, King Weiwan of State Chu defeated the State Yue and occupied all the land. Being afraid that another ruler would emerge from this area, King Weiwang chose a place and buried a gold man statue there to suppress such thing to happen, From then on, Nanjing has also been called "Jinling" – mausoleum of gold.