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| Nazi tourist attraction to get $90 million makeover Posted: 02 Sep 2013 11:00 PM PDT To demolish or do up? Backdrop to infamous propaganda film to become learning center  It was the staging ground for one of the most notorious pieces of Nazi propaganda. Leni Riefenstahl's film "Triumph of the Will" -- simultaneously reviled for glorifying an evil ideology and, later, reluctantly admired for its cinematic mastery -- owed some of its power to its setting, the vast Nazi party rallying grounds in Nuremberg. Although left to disintegrate since World War II, the site is still visited by more than 200,000 tourists a year. Now, the Nuremberg city government is to spend €70 million ($92 million) on its restoration, the Independent reports. Inevitably the plans will raise controversy about the wisdom -- or morality -- of preserving sites associated with the murderous National Socialist regime. More on CNN: 8 lairs of former tyrants Are such monuments a necessary reminder of a period of human depravity, whose preservation might help to prevent something similar from happening again? Or should they be left to crumble into dust -- disappear, just as the murderous regime responsible for them was destroyed? Remains such as the site of Hitler's Bunker and the Gestapo headquarters in Berlin, and the Nazi rallying grounds in Nuremberg, are important stops on the tourist circuit in Germany. The Nuremberg grounds, including 24 towers and an imposing, stepped stage -- the "Zeppelin Tribune" -- from which Hitler liked to rant at his massed followers, was designed by the Nazi party's house architect, Albert Speer, but never completed. "International outrage"Nuremberg's mayor, Ulrich Maly, described the dilemma the city faced in deciding what to do with the sweeping, 11-square-kilometer ex-National Socialist site. "Demolishing the buildings would provoke international outrage -- so we are going to renovate the complex, but this does not mean that we are sprucing it up," Maly said. More on CNN: Battlefields and bunkers: Exploring Okinawa's World War II history The mayor acknowledged that many Nuremberg residents would like the grounds to disintegrate, as the symbol of a passed era. Yet, he pointed out, that would oblige the city to fence off the grounds or otherwise prevent the public from visiting. "So we have decided to renovate to a certain degree," Maly told the Süddeutsche Zeitung. The renovation will include preserving postwar graffiti left by allied soldiers. Nuremberg's long-term plan is to turn the rallying grounds into a site of historical learning, reports the German English-language news the service The Local. More on CNN: Back to the USSR: Soviet tourism posters on show The parade ground is not the only Nazi relic and tourist site to have been promised a cash revival. Hitler's Bavarian mountain retreat, the Eagle's Nest, is to receive a $22.5 million upgrade, partly to improve its historical information center. Would you renovate Nuremberg's rally grounds or demolish the remnants of the Nazi party? Let us know in the comments section. |
| Surprising Nanjing: Mini-guide to China's ancient capital Posted: 02 Sep 2013 03:00 PM PDT China's "southern capital" is re-emerging as a center for Chinese culture, food and one strangely beautiful bookstore 
Sure, the capital of the Jiangsu province in eastern China isn't as fashionable as Shanghai. Nor is its architecture as majestic as Beijing's. But the immense wealth of well-preserved Chinese culture and history, architecture unique to China's Minguo era (1912-1949) and roots of one of China's finest cuisines are highly alluring. Then there's an emerging hipster scene that radiates just beneath the city's traditional surface. With the Youth Olympic Games coming to the city in 2014, it's easy to see why this city of 8 million is becoming China's cool kid all over again. Hotels
InterContinental Nanjing The tallest building in Nanjing, unobstructed views of the city and a killer central location make the InterContinental Nanjing the city's landmark hotel. In the 450-meter-high Zifeng Tower, the hotel has 433 rooms and suites, all placed on the 49th floor or higher. The bars and restaurants on the 45th and 78th floors may be the best location to view Nanjing. InterContinental Nanjing, 1 Central Road (Zhong Yang Road), Gulou District, Nanjing; +86 25 8353 8888; from CNY 1,100 ($180) per night
The Balinese resort brand's first overseas venture is hidden in Nanjing's Tangshan, the hot spring area 40 minutes from the city center. It's the most luxurious hotel in Nanjing or surrounding area. The resort has 20 villas -- all done up in different themes with private pools, outdoor Jacuzzis with hot spring water, a spa center and reasonably good restaurant, "Nine." Guests can take classes ranging from yoga to calligraphy. Kayumanis Nanjing, 12 Wenquan Road, Tangshan Town, Nanjing; +86 25 8410 7777; from CNY 4,180 ($685) per night
The first business hotel in Nanjing and once the tallest high-rise in China, the 37-story Jinling Hotel houses 585 rooms and suites. Founded in 1982, the state-approved hotel has served countless international political leaders. The interior design is classy, service is excellent. The hotel also has an award-winning restaurant, Plum Garden, the first revolving restaurant in China. It's on the 36th floor. Jinling Hotel, Xin Jie Kou Square, Nanjing; +86 25 8471 1888; from CNY 1,048 ($170) per night Food
Plum Garden Originating in Nanjing, Jinling cuisine is one of the leading cuisine categories in China. The best introduction is at Plum Garden. The award-winning restaurant in the Jinling Hotel serves savory salted duck, a local specialty made by marinating the finest duck in a special brine. Another classic Jinling dish (you may have to order it off the menu) is deep-fried Mandarin fish, commonly known as squirrel fish. The de-boned fish is deep-fried and seasoned with sweet and sour sauce. Plum Garden, 2/F, Jinling Hotel, Xin Jie Kou Square, Nanjing; open daily, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 6-10 p.m.; +86 25 8471 1888 (ext.4204)
Maybe the oldest restaurant in Nanjing, Ma Xiang Xing Halal restaurant was founded more than 160 years ago as a humble street stall. It's the birthplace of famous Jinling dishes, including "squirrel fish" and "phoenix tail shrimp." The upper floors are good for a proper sit-down meal, whereas the first floor diner serves smaller and quicker meals for cheaper prices.
Retro interior design, staff in Minguo-era dress and traditional Chinese performance -- walking into this restaurant is like entering a theater. Now a chain restaurant, Nanjing Impressions maintains a good standard in all its branches. Recommended foods include spicy crayfish, duck soup dumpling and stewed meatballs. Visitors should try a sweet congee named after Song Meiling, wife of former Chinese president Chiang Kai-shek. It's said that Song was a huge fan of the congee. Nanjing Impressions, No. 2, Lion Bridge, Hunan Road, Nanjing; +86 25 8330 5777
This area made famous by the Confucius Temple has also been named one of four major small-eats areas in China. Locals complain about a recent decline in quality, but it's still the best place to sample lots of Nanjing flavors in one place while admiring the view of the Qinhuai River. In its glory days, eight sets of its small eats were dubbed the eight treasures of Qinhuai. Traditional foods to try include qifangge (ghee baked cake) and jiangyouji (fried beef dumplings). Nightlife
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