Photographer Sun Chen, 50, has lived his entire life in <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fnanjing">Nanjing</a>. He began photographing the city a decade ago when parts of Nanjing became threatened by demolition. Jimingsi Road (pictured) outside Jiming Temple offers one of the best views of Nanjing, especially in spring.<br />"Cherry blossoms are at their fullest in March," says Sun. "The blossoms along the Jimingsi Road usually last three to four days."
Jimingsi Road —
Photographer Sun Chen, 50, has lived his entire life in Nanjing. He began photographing the city a decade ago when parts of Nanjing became threatened by demolition. Jimingsi Road (pictured) outside Jiming Temple offers one of the best views of Nanjing, especially in spring.
"Cherry blossoms are at their fullest in March," says Sun. "The blossoms along the Jimingsi Road usually last three to four days."
courtesy sun chen
"One of the best places to see cherry blossoms is the historic Jiming Temple and the Examination Hall, which was built during the Minguo (Republic of China) era," says Sun.<br />Nanjing Forestry University, Xuewu Lake and Lovers' Garden are other good places to see cherry blossoms.
Jiming Temple —
"One of the best places to see cherry blossoms is the historic Jiming Temple and the Examination Hall, which was built during the Minguo (Republic of China) era," says Sun.
Nanjing Forestry University, Xuewu Lake and Lovers' Garden are other good places to see cherry blossoms.
courtesy sun chen
"People living in Nanjing, like me, are all somewhat tainted with the old China's romanticism," says Sun, who works in a foundry by day. "We adore the sunrise and sunset, and are fascinated by the history and stories of the city." Sun describes his favorite photographic theme as humanity.
Chinese romanticism —
"People living in Nanjing, like me, are all somewhat tainted with the old China's romanticism," says Sun, who works in a foundry by day. "We adore the sunrise and sunset, and are fascinated by the history and stories of the city." Sun describes his favorite photographic theme as humanity.
courtesy sun chen
Nanjing's elegant university campuses offer some of the city's most scenic views. Pictured here, the Main Hall at Southeast University.<br /><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fbeyond-bed-and-bath-nanjings-best-hotels-008141">MORE: Beyond bed and bath: Nanjing's best hotels </a>
Elegant academics —
Nanjing's elegant university campuses offer some of the city's most scenic views. Pictured here, the Main Hall at Southeast University.
MORE: Beyond bed and bath: Nanjing's best hotels
courtesy sun chen
"My favorite university campus is Nanjing Normal University," says Sun. "The buildings are a blend of East and West, and aesthetically symmetric. It's prettiest in autumn, when the golden ginkgo leaves make it even more eye-catching."
Nanjing Normal University —
"My favorite university campus is Nanjing Normal University," says Sun. "The buildings are a blend of East and West, and aesthetically symmetric. It's prettiest in autumn, when the golden ginkgo leaves make it even more eye-catching."
Sun Chen
The Nanjing Sport Institute is the largest athletic training facility in Jiangsu province.
Big sports —
The Nanjing Sport Institute is the largest athletic training facility in Jiangsu province.
courtesy sun chen
Elegant Minguo-style buildings (pre-1949) are a signature of Nanjing.<br />"The neighborhoods around Yihe Road and Meiyuan New Village Memorial Hall both have condensed collections of Minguo architecture, but those on Yihe Road are more well-preserved," says Sun. "I take pictures of Minguo buildings (in the Yihe Road neighborhood) on top of a commercial building as well as a nearby hospital. Neither are open to the public, but I was finally allowed in after some long discussions."
Minguo architecture —
Elegant Minguo-style buildings (pre-1949) are a signature of Nanjing.
"The neighborhoods around Yihe Road and Meiyuan New Village Memorial Hall both have condensed collections of Minguo architecture, but those on Yihe Road are more well-preserved," says Sun. "I take pictures of Minguo buildings (in the Yihe Road neighborhood) on top of a commercial building as well as a nearby hospital. Neither are open to the public, but I was finally allowed in after some long discussions."
courtesy sun chen
Behind the two-dimensional front door of the Presidential Palace sits the most interesting and beautiful mansion in Nanjing. Built in the mid-1300s, it houses traditional Chinese gardens, architecture from different eras and important government offices. The building has been a witness to Chinese history -- numerous leaders have made it their headquarters.<br /><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2013%2F09%2F02%2Ftravel%2Fnanjing-book-shop%2Findex.html">MORE: China's most beautiful bookshop ... in a car park</a>
Presidential Palace —
Behind the two-dimensional front door of the Presidential Palace sits the most interesting and beautiful mansion in Nanjing. Built in the mid-1300s, it houses traditional Chinese gardens, architecture from different eras and important government offices. The building has been a witness to Chinese history -- numerous leaders have made it their headquarters.
MORE: China's most beautiful bookshop ... in a car park
courtesy sun chen
Built in 1918, the former Jiangsu postal management bureau is one of the best preserved buildings in the city. It's another Minguo relic.
More Minguo —
Built in 1918, the former Jiangsu postal management bureau is one of the best preserved buildings in the city. It's another Minguo relic.
courtesy sun chen
"This photo was taken from the Purple Mountain Observatory," says Sun. "A huge rock atop the mountain provides the best panoramic view of the lake. I hike up here a few times every summer -- it's the best season to take pictures from this spot."
Top panoramic view —
"This photo was taken from the Purple Mountain Observatory," says Sun. "A huge rock atop the mountain provides the best panoramic view of the lake. I hike up here a few times every summer -- it's the best season to take pictures from this spot."
courtesy sun chen
Photographing the massive landmarks inside Zhongshan Mountain National Park is a challenge. <br />"It's difficult to capture the greatness of the attractions in a photo," says Sun. "The best way to do so is to find something iconic in the foreground so the picture doesn't end up looking too empty."<br />Zhongshan Mountain National Park on Purple Mountain consists of major attractions, including Zhongshan Ling (Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum), Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Linggu Temple.
Zhongshan Mountain National Park —
Photographing the massive landmarks inside Zhongshan Mountain National Park is a challenge.
"It's difficult to capture the greatness of the attractions in a photo," says Sun. "The best way to do so is to find something iconic in the foreground so the picture doesn't end up looking too empty."
Zhongshan Mountain National Park on Purple Mountain consists of major attractions, including Zhongshan Ling (Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum), Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Linggu Temple.
courtesy sun chen
Sun's favorite place to linger on the mountain is Stone Elephant Road in front of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. <br />"Stone sculptures made from the Ming Dynasty are picturesque but irregularly placed along a line of colorful trees," says Sun. "It's especially beautiful in autumn."
Stone Elephant Road —
Sun's favorite place to linger on the mountain is Stone Elephant Road in front of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum.
"Stone sculptures made from the Ming Dynasty are picturesque but irregularly placed along a line of colorful trees," says Sun. "It's especially beautiful in autumn."
courtesy sun chen
Sun's picks for best seasonal pics:<br />"In spring, cherry blossoms on Jimingsi Road; in summer, the night scene of Xuewu Lake; in autumn, the classic Stone Elephant Road; winter can be a bit trickier -- it's too cold to go anywhere if it's not snowing, but once it snows, all the attractions come alive. Plum Blossom Hill (pictured with Yan Que Lake) is the first choice for winter, just edging out the Confucius Temple during lunar new year."<br /><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fshanghai%2Fvisit%2Fnanjing-plum-blossom-festival-208516">READ: Nanjing's plum blossom festival</a>
Four seasons of photos —
Sun's picks for best seasonal pics:
"In spring, cherry blossoms on Jimingsi Road; in summer, the night scene of Xuewu Lake; in autumn, the classic Stone Elephant Road; winter can be a bit trickier -- it's too cold to go anywhere if it's not snowing, but once it snows, all the attractions come alive. Plum Blossom Hill (pictured with Yan Que Lake) is the first choice for winter, just edging out the Confucius Temple during lunar new year."
READ: Nanjing's plum blossom festival
courtesy sun chen
If you aren't heading to the Plum Blossom Hill for winter shots, Ming City Wall is another photogenic spot, according to Sun. <br />"Climb up the Ming City Wall near Jiefangmen and you have a good view of Xuewu Lake and Jiming Temple as well as the wall itself."
Ming City Wall —
If you aren't heading to the Plum Blossom Hill for winter shots, Ming City Wall is another photogenic spot, according to Sun.
"Climb up the Ming City Wall near Jiefangmen and you have a good view of Xuewu Lake and Jiming Temple as well as the wall itself."
courtesy sun chen
Sun says autumn is the best season in Nanjing. <br />"After an autumn shower, the fallen leaves on the road will often surprise you," he says. "The best autumn views have to be those in the eastern suburb."<br />Qixia Temple (pictured) on Qixia Hill is one of the most important Buddhist temples in China.
Qixia Temple —
Sun says autumn is the best season in Nanjing.
"After an autumn shower, the fallen leaves on the road will often surprise you," he says. "The best autumn views have to be those in the eastern suburb."
Qixia Temple (pictured) on Qixia Hill is one of the most important Buddhist temples in China.
courtesy sun chen
Built in the 1300s, the Ming City Wall (right) is the best preserved city wall in China. The 89-story Zifeng Tower (left) is the tallest structure in Nanjing.
Wall and tower —
Built in the 1300s, the Ming City Wall (right) is the best preserved city wall in China. The 89-story Zifeng Tower (left) is the tallest structure in Nanjing.
courtesy sun chen
In a city experiencing rapid development, most of Nanjing's old architecture is being torn down. Some older buildings remain scattered in southern Nanjing, where Sun grew up in.<br />"I lived in southern Nanjing for more than 30 years," says Sun. "In the past, there were a lot of big communal mansions, housing a lot of families.<br />"All these families knew each other intimately. They spoke the most authentic Nanjing dialect, had the best street snacks and knew the best old Nanjing tales -- southern Nanjing is the root of Nanjing."<br /><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fmini-guide-nanjing-939796">MORE: Surprising Nanjing: Mini-guide to China's ancient capital</a>
Vanishing traditions —
In a city experiencing rapid development, most of Nanjing's old architecture is being torn down. Some older buildings remain scattered in southern Nanjing, where Sun grew up in.
"I lived in southern Nanjing for more than 30 years," says Sun. "In the past, there were a lot of big communal mansions, housing a lot of families.
"All these families knew each other intimately. They spoke the most authentic Nanjing dialect, had the best street snacks and knew the best old Nanjing tales -- southern Nanjing is the root of Nanjing."
MORE: Surprising Nanjing: Mini-guide to China's ancient capital
courtesy sun chen
"I've lost count of the visits I've paid to Jiming Temple," says Sun. "I visit the temple hoping to run into a good photographic opportunity."
Making his own luck —
"I've lost count of the visits I've paid to Jiming Temple," says Sun. "I visit the temple hoping to run into a good photographic opportunity."
courtesy sun chen
Sun captured these devotees during a ceremony in Jiming Temple.
Religious ritual —
Sun captured these devotees during a ceremony in Jiming Temple.
courtesy sun chen