or Kiangning Fu, the ancient capital of China, now the chief town of the province of Kiangsu, and the residence of the governor-general of three provinces, is situated about three miles from the south bank of the Yang-tse-Kiang, about 100 miles from its mouth. This city was once the most celebrated in the empire, whether regarded as to its extent, its buildings, or its manufactures; but since the removal of the imperial residence to Pekin Nantes by Kublai Khan in the end of the thirteenth century, it has very much declined. The walls at present surrounding the town are said to be about 20 miles in extent, but from existing remains those of the ancient town seem to have been about 35 miles in circumference. It is, however, impossible to say how much of the larger space was occupied with buildings; but at present not more than one-half of the area inclosed by the walls is actually occupied by the city. The ancient palaces have almost entirely disappeared, and the only remarkable monuments of royalty that now remain are some sepulchral statues of gigantic size, near an ancient cemetery known as the Tombs of the Kings. At some distance from these statues are a number of rude colossal figures of horses, elephants, and other animals.

Nanking consists of four rather wide and parallel avenues, which are intersected by others of less width, and are on the whole clean, well paved, and lined with handsomely-furnished shops. The town is very unhealthy, being situated in an extensive marshy plain, which, especially in the hot season, gives off noxious vapours. The three gates on the eastern side of the city are approached by three well-paved causeways. That part of the town occupied by the Manchoos is separated from the Chinese town by a high wall. Nanking possesses no public buildings of importance, except the famous porcelain tower, an edifice superior to anything of the kind in the empire. It is of an octagonal form, each side being 15 feet wide; and is about 260 feet in height. Its base rests upon a solid foundation of brickwork, 10 feet high, up which a flight of twelve steps leads into the tower, where there is a spiral staircase leading to the top. The body of the edifice is composed of brick, the outer face of which is covered with slabs of glazed porcelain of various colours, principally green, red, yellow, and white. It consists of nine storeys, decreasing gradually in size to the top, and at each storey is a projecting roof covered with green tiles, with a bell suspended at each corner. Each storey forms a saloon, which is finely painted and gilt, and adorned with numerous gilded images. The whole is covered by a gilt conical roof, and from the summit rises a mast 30 feet in height, surrounded by an immense iron coil, and surmounted by a large gilded ball. This edifice was nineteen years in building, and was completed in A.D. 1430. The entire cost is said to have been about L500,000.

Nanking has extensive manufactures of fine satin and crape, and of the cotton cloth called, after the city, nankin. Paper and ink of fine quality, and beautiful artificial flowers of pith paper are produced here. The commerce of the city is very considerable, owing to its position near the great River Yang-tse-Kiang. It communicates with Peking by means of the Imperial Canal, which leaves the river about 40 miles below the city. Nanking is not less celebrated for literature than for its manufactures and commerce; and is considered one of the first places of learning in the country. The arts and sciences are studied here with great diligence; and its libraries are extensive and valuable. The booksellers' shops are well stocked with the best native publications, and the editions published here are the most esteemed in the empire. It was here that terms of peace were concluded between the English and Chinese in August 1842. Pop. estimated at about 400,000.