Ancient City – Nanjing
Ancient City – Nanjing
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One-Hour HD Documentary (2021)
A rare travel documentary shot during the Covid-19 pandemic, while most Americans were sheltering at home in 2020, two Americans living in China had the unique opportunity to travel to Nanjing to discover a city with a remarkable history. After relocating to China from Massachusetts Gina Falzon became a photographer. Alden McDonald, an actress, moved from Los Angeles to China five years ago. Both friends spent a week during the pandemic exploring the sites of Nanjing starting with a visit to Zhonghua Gate, an architectural structure known worldwide as the most complex castle-style gate in China. They also visited Zhanyuan Garden, considered to be the most authentic garden of the Ming dynasty and restored in 1960 to the beautiful site it is today. Two significant stops along the way included a visit to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum via the Elephant Road and a trek to the Purple Mountain to see Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Mausoleum. Their adventure topped off with an exploration of the Jiming Temple and Chaotian Palace, an architecture wonder. Nanjing is well known for beautiful traditional artwork. From calligraphy to brocade, lantern making and the art of gold thread and leaf making, there was no shortage in creative inspiration on this trip. Gina and Alden visited several artists that included a meeting with Ronghua velvet flower making Master Zhao Shuxian the only acclaimed velvet flower artist in China. Explore Dapaidang a relatively new restaurant featuring over 100 dishes of delicious Chinese cuisine including Nanjing’s famous boiled salted duck. With limited travel across the world in the midst of a global health crisis the two friends found an amazing adventure in China, a place they now call home. |
- Nanjing City
- The Gate of China
- The Gate of China
- In front of the Gate of China
- Filming at the Gate of China
- Taking a break at the Gate of China
- Zhanyuan Garden
- Zhanyuan Garden
- Filming at the Zhanyuan Garden
- Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
- Ming Xiaoling elephant stature
- Filming at the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
- Filming at the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
- Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum
- Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum
- Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum
- Watching Mr. Chi Yi writing calligraphy
- Filming Inscriptions Rubbing artist Mr. Chi Yi
- Mr. Chi Yi’s calligraphy
- Mr. Chi Yi’s tree rubbing art work
- Ronghua artist Mr. Zhao at work
- Ronghua art work
- Watching Ronghua artist Mr. Zhao at work
- Mr. Zhao teaching us how to make Ronghua
- Mr. Gu making a lotus lantern
- Filming Mr. Gu making a lantern
- Lantern art work
- Fuzimiao – Confucius Temple
- Filming the Confucius statue
- Boat ride on the Qinhuai River
- Nanjing Yunjin Brocade Museum
- Watching Yunjin Master Zhou at work
- Filming Yunjin master Zhou at work
- Yunjin Brocade
- Imperial Robe made with Yunjin Brocade
- Filming looms that produce Yunjin brocade
- Filming Yunjin Brocade art work
- Filming workers making gold leaves
- Worker making a gold leaf
- Filming master Wang cutting gold threads
- Gold threads cut by machine
- Watching the master making gold threads
- Having fun with gold threads
- Nanjing Dapaidang Restaurant
- Choosing what to eat at Nanjing Dapaidang Restaurant
- Filming at Nanjing Dapaidang Restaurant
- Chatting with the owner of Nanjing Dapaidang Mr. Zhao
- Interior shot of Nanjing Dapaidang Restaurant
- Delicious food at Nanjing Dapaidang Restaurant
- Jiming Temple
- Alden praying for world peace at Jiming Temple
- Chaotian Palace
- The lion statue of Chaotian Palace
- Film Crew
Not all air dates and times are listed here.
Check your local listings for current schedules.
To request Ancient City Nanjing contact the TV Programmer at your local PBS station.
DVDs are currently not available.
Description
One-Hour HD Documentary (2021)
A rare travel documentary shot during the Covid-19 pandemic, while most Americans were sheltering at home in 2020, two Americans living in China had the unique opportunity to travel to Nanjing to discover a city with a remarkable history. After relocating to China from Massachusetts Gina Falzon became a photographer. Alden McDonald, an actress, moved from Los Angeles to China five years ago. Both friends spent a week during the pandemic exploring the sites of Nanjing starting with a visit to Zhonghua Gate, an architectural structure known worldwide as the most complex castle-style gate in China. They also visited Zhanyuan Garden, considered to be the most authentic garden of the Ming dynasty and restored in 1960 to the beautiful site it is today.
Two significant stops along the way included a visit to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum via the Elephant Road and a trek to the Purple Mountain to see Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Mausoleum. Their adventure topped off with an exploration of the Jiming Temple and Chaotian Palace, an architecture wonder.
Nanjing is well known for beautiful traditional artwork. From calligraphy to brocade, lantern making and the art of gold thread and leaf making, there was no shortage in creative inspiration on this trip. Gina and Alden visited several artists that included a meeting with Ronghua velvet flower making Master Zhao Shuxian the only acclaimed velvet flower artist in China. Explore Dapaidang a relatively new restaurant featuring over 100 dishes of delicious Chinese cuisine including Nanjing’s famous boiled salted duck.
With limited travel across the world in the midst of a global health crisis the two friends found an amazing adventure in China, a place they now call home.
Gallery
- Yinchuan city
- Yinchuan city
- Helan Mountain Rock Carving Park
- Helan Mountain Rock Carvings
- Helan Mountain Rock Carvings
- Alden & Gena Looking at rock carvings
- Filming Helan Mountain Rock Carvings
- Baisikou twin pagoda
- Baisikou twin pagoda
- Filming the Baisikou twin pagoda
- In front of the Baisikou twin pagoda
- Yellow Sand Ancient Ferry
- Enjoying the duck boat sand slide ride
- Getting on camels
- Enjoying the camel ride
- Camel ride at Yellow sand Ancient Ferry
- Taking a photo at the Yellow Sand Ancient Ferry
- Learning how to make handroll noodles
- Enjoying handroll noodles
- Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio
- Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio
- Filming at the Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio
- Filming at the Western Xia Museum
- Relics in the Western Xia Museum
- Relics in the Western Xia Museum
- Looking at relics in the Western Xia Museum
- #1 & #2 tombs of Western Xia Mausoleum
- Filming the #2 tomb of Western Xia Mausoleum
- Filming the #3 tomb of Western Xia Mausoleum
- Minning Town, Yinchuan
- Inside the Ma family home at Minning Town
- Playing with little Ma at Minning Town
- Mother and son at Minning Town
- Watching the chef preparing handheld mutton
- Filming at the handheld mutton restaurant
- Enjoying an eggplant dish
- Graffiti artists at work
- Graffiti artist showing his design
- Having fun with graffiti artists
- Lansai Winery at Yinchuan
- Filming at the wine cellar
- Tasting red wine
- The Great Wall ruins
- The Great Wall ruins
- Filming at The Great Wall ruins
- Alden and Gena at The Great Wall ruins
- Film Crew
TV Airing Schedule
Not all air dates and times are listed here.
Check your local listings for current schedules.
To request Chinese Qipao contact the TV Programmer at your local PBS station.
Purchase DVD
DVDs are currently not available.