China: All about Jiangsu Province Quiz

Answer: Shangdong

Jiangsu does share a border with Anhui, but Anhui lies west. Zhejiang and Shanghai also share borders with Jiangsu, but they both lie south.

Jiangsu has a coastline around 620 miles (1,000 km) in length.

Most of Jiangsu is around 150 feet (45 m) above sea level, meaning Jiangsu is the lowest and flattest province of China.

Answer: Yangtze

The Yangtze River is the longest river in China. Due to Nanjing's strategic location along this river, the city has been made the capital of ten dynasties of China throughout history. For example, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Nanjing was the capital city of South China. It was also the capital city for the Nationalist Party (also known as the Kuomintang) between 1928-1949.

This remains evident by architecture left from these dynasties; for example, the Ming Dynasty City Wall of Nanjing, which was designed by Hongwu Emperor (1328-1398) upon the Ming Dynasty's foundation.

Nanjing is also sadly known for the horrific Nanjing Massacre of 1937. The Japanese army killed between 20,000-300,000 of Nanjing's residents and between 20,000-80,000 women were the victims of war rape.

In 1985, the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders was constructed in the southwest of downtown Nanjing. The statue outside the front of the memorial is of a distorted woman and child, entitled "Family Ruined." The memorial inside includes historical documents and exhibits from the massacre, including the skeletal remains of some of the victims.

Answer: Mount Huaguo

Mount Huaguo is located near the city of Lianyungang, in the northeast of Jiangsu province. It is a popular tourist attraction in part due to the Chinese novel, "Journey to the West" where the mountain is featured in the book.

Mount Huaguo features a statue of Sun Wukong (the "Monkey King") who is a character in "Journey to the West." The mountain is adorned with just under 110 stone monkeys, as well as six stone lions.

The oldest and largest building on Mount Huaguo is Sanyuan Temple, which was constructed during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Answer: Zifeng Tower

At around 1,480 feet (450 m) high, Zifeng Tower (formerly known as Nanjing Greenland Financial Cente) was designed by architect Adrian Smith, who also designed the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Zifeng Tower is located in Nanjing. The lower floors of the building contain retail areas and offices. The higher floors are home to a 500-room hotel, restaurants and a public observatory.

Answer: Lake Tai

Also known as Lake Taihu, Lake Tai's southern shore partially forms the border between Jiangsu and neighbouring Chinese province, Zhejiang. The lake contains around 90 islands and is the third-largest freshwater lake that lies wholly within China, encompassing an area of around 870 square miles (2,250 square km).

The Grand Buddha at Ling Shan is one of the largest bronze statues of Buddha in the world. To get close to the Grand Buddha, one must climb just over 200 steps of the "Ascending Cloud Avenue." The Buddha is around 290 feet (90 m) high and weighs over 725 tons. It took over 2,000 sheets of bronze to create the Grand Buddha statue, which is earthquake-proof, lightning proof and wind-proof. There is a museum dedicated to Buddhism within the pedestal of the statue.

Answer: Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge

Stretching for just over 100 miles (165 km), the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge's construction was completed in 2010, with construction beginning in 2006. Around 10,000 workers were involved in its construction. The bridge roughly follows the Yangtze River, stretching over wetlands, canals and rice fields.

Around 5.5 miles (9km) of this bridge is over Yangcheng Lake in Suzhou. The bridge connects Shanghai to Nanjing. Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge has an average height of around 330 feet (100 m).

There is no universal method to measure the length of a bridge. Some are measured from shoreline to shoreline, some are measured from the entrance of the bridge, etc. However, at over 100 miles long, it is clear that the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge is one of the longest regardless of the method of measuring it.

Answer: Kunshan

Located in the southeast of Jiangsu province, Kunshan is the birthplace of Kunqu. Kushan is nicknamed "Little Taiwan" because of the large number of Taiwanese living there. The Wusong River flows through the city, and Kunshan is under the jurisdiction of the city of Suzhou.

Kunqu was born and developed during the Ming Dynasty. Instruments used typically include a bamboo flute, drums, gongs and cymbals. Kunqu has been in decline since the 18th century, with only a few dozen of the 400 works of it still being regularly performed.

Answer: Huai'an

Located in the centre of Jiangsu Province, Huai'an is situated on the Huai River and is named after it. The city is abundant in lakes, canals and rivers.

Born in Huai'an, Zhou Enlai (1898-1976) was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China from 1954 until he died in 1976. He is remembered in China as a hard-working statesman who, although Communist like Chairman Mao, was more tolerant of religion and less of an extremist in implementing his policies.

Zhou Enlai once contacted the government of Huai'an to ask that his home would not be made available to the public upon his death. There is also a Former Residence of Zhou Enlai in Shanghai.

Answer: Purple Mountain

Originally known as "Bell Mountain" Purple Mountain is also known as Zijin Mountain, and is situated just east of Nanjing and is around 1,470 feet (450 m).

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is located at the bottom of Purple Mountain's second-highest peak. The Mausoleum was constructed by 1929. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) was the first President of the Republic of China, fighting against the Qing Dynasty and overthrowing them in the Xinhai Revolution in 1911. He is the exception in the history of 20th century Chinese leaders, as he is generally held in high regard in both China and Taiwan.

Constructed by 1934, Meiling Palace is the biggest villa in Nanjing. It is at the bottom of Purple Mountain.

Situated at the south end of the mountain, the Xiao Mausoleum is the tomb of the founder of the Ming Dynasty, the Hongwu Emperor. The Mausoleum was constructed by 1405 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Answer: Zhenjiang

Zhenjiang is located on the southern shore of the Yangtze River. It is the birthplace of Liu Chuanzhi, the founder of Lenovo Group Limited, an internationally successful computer vendor company. Between 1928-1949, Zhenjiang was the capital of Jiangsu Province.

Throughout history, Zhenjiang has been known as "Yi," "Zhufang" and "Guyang." During the First Opium War (1839-1842), Zhenjiang was a battle ground in 1842 when the British invaded the city. It was also the site of many deaths during the Taiping Rebellion (1850-64).

Zhenjiang is purported to produce the finest black vinegar in the whole of China. Also known as Chinkiang black rice vinegar, Zhenjiang vinegar is one of China's "famous four" vinegars, the others being Fujian's Yongchun red vinegar, Sichuan Baoning black vinegar and Shaanxi mature vinegar. In China, Zhenjiangh vinegar is referred to as "xiāngcù" that is, "fragrant vinegar."

The major producer of Zhenjiang vinegar in China is the company Hengshun, which has been in operation since 1840. Hengshun has won several awards for its authentic vinegar. The vinegar is aged for around half a year in earthenware crocks for the standard supermarket version of the vinegar, with the premium versions being aged for even longer.

Answer: Deng Xiaoping

Formerly known as "Yingyoushan," Lian Island is heavily forested (around 80% coverage) and is situated in the Yellow Sea in Haizhou Bay.

The island's total area is around 3 square miles (7.5 square km) and is around 5.5 miles (9 km) long. Lian island is known for its scenic beaches, with Sumawan Natural Park being particularly popular for wedding photography.

Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997) was a Chinese politician who led the People's Republic of China from 1978-1989. He was Time's "Person of the Year" twice (in 1978 then 1985). Statues dedicated to him are fewer than other previous Chinese leaders, in reflection of Deng Xiaoping's pragmatic and sensible approach to ruling.

Answer: Taizhou

Taizhou is located on the north shore of the Yangtze River, in southwest-Central Jiangsu Province. Tongyang Canal connects Taizhou to neighbouring city, Yangzhou, whoch lies east around 30 miles (50 km) away, and the city of Nantong which lies southeast.

The Qintong Boat Festival has been established since the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). It began as an event to honour and commemorate China's casualties of war.

Hundreds of boats take part in the show, and the event was named the largest boat show (according to Shanghai Great World Guinness headquarters) in 2009. It is a very popular event, with folk dancing even taking place on the boats during the racing of them.

Answer: Yunlong Mountain

Yunlong Mountain is situated in the south of the city of Xuzhou (formerly known as Pengcheng) in the northwest of Jiangsu. Yunlong is also known as Shifo Mountain (that is, "Stone Buddha Mountain") due to the stone Buddha located at Xinghua Temple. Yunlong Mountain is around 465 (140 m) high. The mountain features cliff carvings from the Tang and Song Dynasties.

The Giant Scholar Rock has been known since the Qing Dynasty. The mountain also features a large stone Buddha from the northern Wei Dynasty.

Xinghua Temple is a Buddhist zen temple, and also called "Shifu Temple." It is mostly known for its large Buddha statue in the centre, with over 250 smaller Buddhas on the walls surrounding the larger statue.

Answer: China Dinosaurs Park

China Dinosaurs Park was opened to the public in 2000, and features an almost complete skeleton of a Sinosauropteryx. The park also features roller coasters as well as fossils.

Changzhou is located in the south of Jiangsu, and is also home to one of the largest Zen Buddhist monasteries in China: Tianning Temple.

Changzhou is also home to the Old Museum of Wisteria, which is purported to be where Chinese poet, Su Shi (1037-1101) spent the last years of his life.

Answer: Shanjuan Cave

Shanjuan Cave is a limestone cave located around 15 miles (25 km) from the southwest of Yixing City. The cave is approximately 0.5 miles (800 m) long, poetry in calligraphy adorns the walls near the entrance and it is lit with colourful lights throughout.

There are some impressive stalactites within the cave. There is a waterway near the back of the cave that can be accessed by boat. The cave maintains the same temperature of around 23℃ (73.4℉) all year.