Some facts about Nanjing (Sarah's home town). Nanjing, also called Nan-ching, and Nanking, is the main city on the Yangtze river Basin. It's historical names have been, Moling, Jianye, Jiankang, Jinling, Jiangning, and Tianjing. It dates back to 495 BC. It was the capital of 6 dynastys. It is now known as the capital of Education, Science, Culture, Art, and Tourism. It was also known as the capital of Heaven. It is a major transportation hub only second to Shanghai.