A dream of Red Mansions occupies an important place in the history of Chinese literature. It’s also called "The story of the Stone, written by Cao Xueqin. Cao was born in Nanjing and grew up here any ten years. So he created this great novel with the background of Nanjing.

Cao’s great grandmother was wet nurse of emperor Kangxi, his grandfather was a reading partner. Cao’s famliy has an important relationship with the royal family. They had liven in Nanjing for almost 60 years. The novel is believed to be semi-autobiographical, mirroring the fortunes of Cao's own family. 

You can find lots of archetype in Nanjing from the novel. Daxinggong is one of these place, Xinggong means where the emperor lives during his inspection tour. Actually, it’s the house of Cao’s family. Someone says the this novel is for commemorate Nanjing.