Former capital of China at the beginning of Ming dynasty and before World War II, Nanjing is still today one of the major Chinese cities and one of the main university centers of the country. Capital city of Jiangsu province, it could not escape modernization, but its personality has not disappeared and it is still very pleasant to walk under the trees on some of the avenues and in some preserved areas. However, the fortifications have almost disappeared. The city and its museums, as well as Zijinshan hills make Nanjing a very pleasant city for the visitor and it is worthy staying several days there.