Moon watching is argued as the most elegant Mid Autumn Festival activity, while Qinhuai District prides itself on being the cultural core of Nanjing. Put the two together and you have a wealth of options from which to view our lunar friend.
Fully three of the five locations on the list published today by the Yangtze Evening News are occupied by the Confucius Temple area of Nanjing. In pole position, and quite rightfully in the minds of many a Nanjinger, is the original temple itself.
Therein, Dacheng Hall forms the core of Nanjing’s Confucius Temple, in which hangs the largest portrait of Confucius in China, at 6.5 metres high and 3.15 metres wide. On either side of the portrait stand white marble statues of four outstanding Confucius disciples, namely Yan Yuan, Zi Si, Zeng Shen and Meng Ke.
All around are ancient musical instruments, together with 38 scrolls reflecting the life and deeds of Confucius, highlighting his image as a teacher of all ages. No wonder this was where students in ancient times sat their imperial examinations.
Next up, Wende Bridge that is but a stone’s throw from the original temple site. It is said that if you haven’t been to Confucius Temple, you can’t count yourself as having been to Nanjing. Similarly, if you have not crossed Wende Bridge, you have not truly visited Confucius Temple.
Home to an astronomical phenomenon, Wende Bridge lies on a meridian that sees the moon directly over the bridge at midnight on the 15th day of the 11th lunar month each year. As a result, those who peer over the side of the bridge shall be rewarded with a reflection of half the full moon, together with a similar view of the other half of the moon from the other side of the bridge.
The astronomical occurrence that may only happen on this particular day of the lunar year is also explained by a plaque by the bridge’s northern abutment.
The final recommended moon viewpoint in the Confucius Temple area is Bailuzhou Park, past which sail the tourist boats that depart from the miniature wharf beside the original temple. As a mini Venice, each island in the park has its own wharf facilitating visits by the passing boats to watch the nightly cultural show that takes place.
Elsewhere, the Nanjing Appreciation Pavillion (pictured) located in the west square of Shuixi Men, was destroyed several times throughout history, but has been rebuilt now according to architectural books of the Song Dynasty. Climbing the tower to enjoy the view of the moon under the eaves of the pavillion’s octagonal roof is a must for any Mid Autumn Festival bucket list.
Last in our top five comes the Mustard Seed Garden within Laomendong. Postage-stamp size compared to other Chinese classical gardens, Nanjing’s Mustard Seed Garden makes use of space to create the illusion of a much larger area, through a labyrinth of courtyards and waterfalls.
With rain forecast for Thursday, the latter may be this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival experience for many. Then again, when combined with National Day, the crowds in attendance might well make a glimpse of the moon impossible anyway.
