Protestant has propagated into Nanjing since the 19th century. Nanjing, before 1949 ,was one of the few Chinese cities which has more than 100 Western missionaries, more than 20 churches and another 50 gatherings. Today, nanjing is one of the national centers of Christianity in China.

The gospel was brought to Nanjing early in 1867 the China Inland Mission. Later, Albert Whiting and Charles Leaman of the Presbyterian Church USA came to preach the good news in 1873 and 1874. They successfully built the first church in 1876, called "Four Poles', with a capacity of 100 people.

Many of the images and sites that make up the worldview of Chinese culture were begun in the Ming Dynasty. Most notably, the current and completed version of the Great Wall, the architectural style represented by the Forbidden City and the popular blue and white porcelain creations.

Li Yu（937–978)， also known as Houzhu of Southern Tang (南唐后主）, was the last ruler of the Southern Tang Kingdom from 961 to 975 during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. He was also a well-known poet, even to the extent of having been called the "first true master" of the ci form.