Jinling Old Men Dong, Rich in Market Atmosphere

Old Men Dong is located east of Zhonghua Gate in Qinhuai District, Nanjing. It is called 'Men Dong' because it is situated east of Nanjing's southern gate (Zhonghua Gate), and it is opposite to Old Men Xi. It is an important part of the Qinhuai scenic area of Nanjing's Confucius Temple. Men Dong is a traditional residential area in Nanjing, historically a gathering place for merchants and scholars from Jiangnan, and home to prominent families. Men Dong is a broad concept; everything east of Zhonghua Gate is considered Men Dong. The current Old Men Dong historical and cultural district is a narrower concept of Men Dong. As early as the Three Kingdoms period, residential settlements appeared in the Men Dong area. During the Ming Dynasty, the Zhonghua Gate and the Inner Qinhuai River area became the economic center of the city, turning this place into an important hub for commerce and handicrafts, showcasing a bustling scene. After the late Qing Dynasty, Old Men Dong, Old Men Xi, and other old southern city areas gradually became primarily residential areas, reflecting the traditional residential style of Nanjing's old southern city. On September 29, 2013, the Old Southern City·Men Dong historical and cultural district officially opened to the public. The district retains a large number of historical buildings and protected cultural relics, converting old factories into the Nanjing Academy of Painting and Calligraphy, Jinling Art Museum, and the Old Southern City Memory Museum, collectively known as 'One Academy, Two Museums.' It also features boutique hotels in residential styles and vibrant fashion streets, introducing celebrity studios, century-old shops, cultural entertainment, and antique clubs, making it a cultural district that integrates history, culture, leisure, entertainment, and tourism.