The commonest standards for Chinese to evaluate a dish are Se (color), Xiang (smell), and Wei (taste). However, Smell can be far easier to spread than the others. Sometimes you notice a familiar smell of your home, which instantly makes you feel nostalgia. So what is the smell of Nanjing? Check it out.
[About Nanjing]
Nanjing, abbreviated as Ning, is a city situated in the heartland of the lower Yangtze River region in China, which has long been a major center of culture, education, research, politics, economy, transport networks and tourism. Nanjing has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having served as the capital of various Chinese dynasties, kingdoms and republican governments dating from the 3rd century CE to 1949.
Archaeological discovery shows that "Nanjing Man" lived in more than 500 thousand years ago. Nanjing has a civilization of more than 7,000 years, and has been established as a city for about 2,600 years.
So first, let’s look at some pictures of the ancient city walls and temples to track back the history of Nanjing.
[Ducks]
If you ask your friend in Nanjing to bring some specialties, the first thing that comes out of his mouth must be ducks. Dried salted ducks, marinated ducks, roast ducks, it is indeed the love of everybody in Nanjing.
Duck Soup with duck blood and vermicelli
marinated duck
Thus, the smell of duck is definitely the first thing that appears in Nanjingers’ minds.
[Osmanthus]
Although it is not Autumn any more when osmanthus fragrans blossom, the smell of osmanthus still seems to linger in Nanjing. Why is that? Many desserts in Nanjing might tell you the answer!
Osmanthus cakes, taro seedlings with osmanthus, Yuanxiao or sweet dumplings with osmanthus… It is in fact the raw material of many traditional desserts in Nanjing.
Taro seedlings with osmanthus
Osmanthus cake
Sweet dumplings with osmanthus
Sweet lotus root with osmanthus
[Books]
Nanjing has many world-renowned universities. Even if you just stop here for a transit, you will still be infected by their strong yearning for knowledge.
LIBRAIRIE AVANT-GARDE becomes the first choice of many outlanders. But there are other book stores that worth a visit.
Taicheng Book House
Yuanli Book House.This place has hosted many reading parties.
Fenghuangtai Book House.This place is mainly targeted at students.
[Rouge]
Rouge, in Chinese Yanzhi, is usually linked to young ladies in ancient times. Ladies are usually associated with softness in Chinese culture; but for ladies in Nanjing, lies behind the softness is perseverance and kindness. Xu Anqi might be a good example.
On April 29th, Xu Anqi has won the women’s epee champion in the 13th National Sports Games.
Hui Ruoqi, member of the National Women’s Volleyball Team has established a foundation to support those who need to be helped. She said: “I feel I can do something, yet I still feel I can do more…”
The smell of Nanjing still waits for more to define…
