Nanjing: A Confluence of History, Innovation, and Modernity

Nanjing, a city with a rich history spanning over two millennia, occupies a unique and revered place in China’s past and present. As the capital during several dynasties, including the Ming and early Qing, Nanjing's historical significance is deeply embedded in its cultural and architectural heritage (Rimmer and Dick, Global City Challenges: Debating a Concept, Improving the Practice, Palgrave Macmillan UK, London, 2013). The imposing Ming city walls, still standing today, serve as a powerful symbol of its imperial legacy and historical majestic appearance and position. Nanjing’s transformation from an ancient capital to a vibrant modern metropolis is marked by its strategic location in eastern China along the Yangtze River (Yao and Yao, Y., & Yao, Y. (2016). Nanjing historical landscape and city changes. Nanjing: Historical Landscape and Its Planning from Geographical Perspective, 39–114.). This advantageous position has established Nanjing as a vital economic and cultural hub, integral to fostering trade and commerce in the region (Zhaoyan and East, 2021). The city’s role in facilitating cultural exchanges and economic activities underscores its continuing relevance and dynamism.