China’s southern belle
It was the Chinese capital during several dynasties but today the city of Nanjing, on the lower Yangtze River, is the nation’s cultural heart – and home to some of its most beguiling festivals and restorative hot springs.
Lantern Festival
Dating back 1600 years, the Qinhuai Lantern Festival is Nanjing’s most popular event. The annual Lunar New Year celebration draws millions to the capital of Jiangsu province, 300 kilometres north-west of Shanghai, for the colourful attractions as well as the entertainment and food. Thousands of lanterns are strung through the streets, while illuminated displays, next-gen lightshows and a lamp market are held in locations such as the Ming Dynasty City Wall, Confucius Temple and Da Bao’en Temple, from 20 January to 2 March. For a different view, book a boat tour along the Qinhuai River, whose banks are lined with gently glowing lights.
Plum Blossom Festival
In Japan, cherry blossoms mark the onset of spring but in China the plum blossom is king – and Nanjing is the spiritual home of this plucky tree, which defies the cold and snow to bloom earlier than most. No wonder it’s revered as one of the “four gentlemen” of Chinese flora, alongside bamboo, orchids and chrysanthemums. From 3 February to mid-March, the International Plum Blossom Festival focuses on the southern foot of Purple Mountain, where 35,000 trees create frothy clouds of white or pink that attract visitors from near and far. Held as a symbol of rebirth and new growth, the plum blossom is Nanjing’s city flower.
Hot springs of Tangshan
There are few better indulgences than a trip to Tangshan’s mineral hot springs. About an hour’s drive from Nanjing, the springs are located on a 292-metre-high hill, with resorts offering everything from luxurious private springs to communal outdoor baths. Ease tired muscles after a day of wandering by combining a hot-spring soak with a traditional Chinese foot massage, which focuses on acupressure points along the feet, ankles and legs.