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Nanjing, also known as Jinling, boasts a strategic location, outstanding people, and a splendid culture. It is a National Excellent Tourist City and has been selected as China's happiest city for nine consecutive years.
Nanjing, the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, has a rich cultural heritage and a history of nearly 2,500 years. It is a complex of water culture and mountain culture, and a meeting point of northern and southern cultures. The cultural and historical imprints accumulated over thousands of years all prove its cultural heritage of the ancient city.
Nanjing is one of the four major hot cities. From June to August, Nanjing is in summer with high temperatures. You need to take sun protection measures when traveling.
Best travel season:
From March to May, when the weather is warm and flowers are blooming, it is a good time to visit Nanjing to enjoy the flowers.
From September to November in autumn, the temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius, the weather is clear and refreshing, and it is extremely comfortable. It is also the peak tourist season.
presidential palace
It is one of the main representatives of Republican-era architecture in Nanjing. Sun Yat-sen was sworn in as the provisional president of the Republic of China here. It was turned into the Presidential Palace and later the Presidential Palace of the Nanjing National Government.
Xuanwu Lake Park
With Zhongshan Mountain in the east and Shen Ce in the west, it is the largest royal garden lake in China.
Confucius Temple
It is a landmark building in Nanjing. It was once a temple in memory of Confucius. Later, it was formed into a street that integrates attractions, culture, leisure, catering and entertainment. Now it has become a very prosperous place in Nanjing.
Nanjing Museum
One of the three largest museums in China, it has a "one academy and six halls" structure, with free admission. The Republican era hall is the most popular.
Recommended number of days for a visit: 2-3 days
Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, has over 2,500 years of history. It served as the capital for multiple Chinese dynasties and the Republic of China. The city is known for its historical landmarks, cultural heritage, and role in modern Chinese history, including the Nanjing Massacre memorial.
Nanjing is located in eastern China along the Yangtze River. It is accessible by Nanjing Lukou International Airport, high-speed trains, buses, metro (Lines 1–10), taxis, and rideshare services. Many attractions are walkable within central districts.
For major sites and holidays, booking 1–3 days in advance is recommended. Some attractions allow same-day online booking.
3–4 days are ideal to explore Nanjing’s main historical, cultural, and natural attractions.
Guided tours are widely available in Chinese, English tours offered at major sites. Audio guides are mostly in Chinese with limited English options.
Start at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, walk to Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, explore Purple Mountain trails, visit Nanjing City Wall/Zhonghua Gate, then Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River in the evening. Xuanwu Lake can be visited on a separate day.
Qinhuai River and Confucius Temple area are lively at night with illuminated bridges, shops, and riverboat tours. Some parks offer evening light displays.
Weekends, holidays, and Golden Week are crowded. Weekdays and early mornings are less crowded.
All major attractions have toilets, cafes, restaurants, rest areas, and souvenir shops. Convenience stores are also common near tourist sites.
Most major sites are accessible, though some historic stairs (City Wall, Mausoleums) may be challenging. Ramps and elevators are available in selected areas.
Cards, Alipay, and WeChat Pay are widely accepted. Cash is less commonly needed but useful for small vendors and street markets.
Restaurants serving Nanjing specialties like salted duck, dumplings, and Jiangsu cuisine are abundant near Confucius Temple and Xinjiekou shopping area. Cafes and international food outlets are common in urban districts.
Vegetarian and vegan options are available at temples and local restaurants. Halal restaurants are available, mostly in central Nanjing.
Options range from budget hostels to luxury hotels, especially near Xinjiekou, Confucius Temple, and central business districts.
Nearby attractions include Presidential Palace, Nanjing Museum, Yangtze River Bridge, and Purple Mountain Observatory.
Souvenirs include Nanjing salted duck, traditional crafts, embroidered goods, postcards, and tea products.
High-speed trains, intercity buses, metro, and taxis provide convenient access to nearby cities like Suzhou, Shanghai, and Hangzhou. Airport transfers are available for domestic and international flights.
