Nanning has a history of more than 1,600 years. In 318 A.D. Nanning came into its existence as a county. It was named Yongzhou, or Yong for short in the Tang Dynasty; Yongning prefecture in the Song Dynasty, Yongzhou headquarters in Yuan dynasty; Nanning prefecture in Ming and Qing Dynnasties and Nanning county after the revolution of 1911. It did not acquire the present name until 1949.
Nanning, with a glorious tradition, is remembered as a heroic city in the minds of Chinese people. For thousands of years, the city has undergone countless tests in battle. In the old days, Su Jian, head officer of this region in Song Dynasty, once led the army and people throughout Yongzhou City to resist the Vietnamese aggressors, who were waging war against China. In modern times, the famous generals Liu Yongfu and Feng Zicai bravely safeguarded the region against French aggressors in a bid to defend their homeland. Moreover, the city has also witnessed glorious deeds by locals as following: the 1911 Revolution, the May 4th Movement in 1919, dispatching troops to aid the Northern Expeditionary Armies, the founding of the Seventh and Eighth Armies of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, the Baise Uprising paving the way for establishing the Zuojiang and Youjiang revolutionary bases, the Longzhou Uprising and the bloody Kunlunguan Campaign which gave a heavy blow to the Japanese aggressors. The local people have added an illustrious chapter to the history of defending the homeland and pursuing social progress by safeguarding the South Gate of the motherland and participating in the socialist construction of New China.
The South-lake Park
The South-lake Park, in the southeast of the city, is a park of sub-tropical scenery. It occupies a total area of 1,266,000 square meter The lake, as smooth as a mirror, makes up three-fourths of the total area. The pavillions, bridges and pleasure-boats scattering on the lake constitute a charming picture.
The People's Park
The People's Park, 500,000 sq.m.in area, is in the northeastern part of Nanning.There are such spots of interest as the Ancient Cannon Fort, the White Dragon Lake, the Children's Play Ground, the Revolutionary Martyr's monument, the Anti-air Raid club and the White Dragon Restaurant. It is a wonderful place for tourists. The Ancient Cannon Fort is on the top of the Wangxianpo Hill and is one of the important relics under the protection of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Climbing the top of the fort, one can have a bird-eye view of the whole city.
West- suburbs Zoo
Lying in the west Suburbs, the park occupies an area of 400,000 sq. m.. On exhibit are pandas, hippopotamus, elephants, orangutans, lions, tigers, leopards, bears, seals and swans. There is also a snake restaurant, a shop and a cold drink counter in it.
Guangxi Museum
Guangxi Museum. erected in the July 1 Square, is a comprehensive topological museum with an area of 12,900 sq.m.. The museum is composed of five displays of Guangxi historical relics, Guangxi revolutionary relics, Guangxi ancient bronze drums and the Taiping Uprising. Fine arts exhibitions are held here from time to time
Guangxi Medicinal Herb Garden
Guangxi Medicinal Herb Garden stands on an area of two million sq.m. in the east suburbs. It is one of the biggest medicinal herb garden in China with a total plantation of over 2,100 kinds. The garden is divided into five sections of Guangxi special herbs, woody plant, animal for medical use and the herbs ranged according to their curative effects and according to the medicinal function. The sweet tea, one of the local special products grown in the garden, has a function of refreshing energy and relieving internal fever. The herb for arthrities here is also well known for its effect. |
