Nanjing Lantern Festival

The lantern festival started in the Six Dynasties period, and reaching it full height in Ming and Qing times. It is said that during the years of the Hongwu reign, Zhu Yuanzhang (first emperor of the Ming dynasty) gave the order to set off flower lanterns to show the courts happiness along with commoners, and to celebrate peace. Nowadays, the lantern festival is held around Nanjing's Confucian temple, beginning in spring and lasting for a month. The activity comes to its height on the 15th night after the beginning of the Chinese new-year, when the lanterns on both sides of the Qinhuai River are like a sea, and people crowd in like tides.

Nanjing International Plum Blossom Festival

The Plum blossom is Nanjing's city flower. Looking at and appreciating plum blossoms is a custom of Nanjing that has not wavered in popularity from the Six Dynasties period to today. Pearl Spring, Lishui's Fujiabian, Gulin Park and other places all have venues to view plum blossoms, especially notable for its viewing areas is plum blossom mountain. From the end of February to the middle of March, Nanjing holds it International Plum Festival.

Jiangxin island's Grape Festival

Jiangxin, an island to the southwest of Nanjing in the middle of the Yangtze River, has charming and eloquent scenery. Every year from July to August, the hundreds of acres of vineyards are full of fat grapes. Visitors to the island can enjoy the beautiful river scenery, and enjoy the fresh air. One can also experience the fun of picking fresh grapes.

Nanjing's Rain Flower Stone (Yuhua Shi) Art Festival

Rain flower stones are one of Nanjing's specialties. Every year during the golden autumn month of September, Nanjing holds its "Rain flowers falling from the sky" performance in the Yuhua Tai scenic area, as well as stone collecting activities, and exquisite rain flower stone exhibitions. The main producing area of rain flower stones-luhe county-also holds activities.

Bring in The New Year With The Ringing of Bells

Nanjingese are happy to bring in the new year by listening to the ringing of bells. This activity is often held at Xixia temple, while the temples High monks read scriptures and pray for peace and calmness, and then hosts and guests hit the copper bells 108 times together to welcome the arrival of the new year.

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