Shanghai Travel - Nanjing's tumultuous history, but a more commonly accepted

Nanjing Confucius Temple,Shanghai Travel, a shrine to Confucius, the famous thinker and educator during China's ancient Spring and Autumn Period, is both a historical building, and a museum that reflects the local customs and the ancient Chinese culture. In contrast, the recently-developed surrounding commercial area has developed into a weekend and holiday resort, as during the year there are different culture galas, such as a spring lantern exhibition, a summer folk-custom cultural fair and an autumn food festival. Outside the temple, clothing shops and restaurants line the main streets while stalls selling stuffed animals, plants, CDs and even more clothes fill the alleys. Tourists can always find souvenirs such as the usual jade trinkets, teapots, and paintings at shops around the temple complex. ¡¡¡¡Also, there are various Yuhuashi (Rain Flower Pebble), multicolored rocks special to Nanjing, on display. Some believe the colors come from the blood Chinese people spilled during Nanjing's tumultuous history, but a more commonly accepted story goes that a Buddhist scholar who preached in the southern Nanjing hills so moved the gods that they showered flowers down from the heavens in praise of him. Upon touching the ground, these heavenly flowers then turned into multicolored pebbles.