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Nanjing

Written by Matteo Updated Apr. 8, 2025

Nanjing was the capital of China for six Dynasties in ancient times so has no shortage of history and historical sites. Its recent modernization has bought many attractions for those who want life modern luxuries. This information will help give visitors a broad insight into this old city with a modern look.

Attractions

Nanjing is an age-old city with both modern and ancient features. It served as the capital for six ancient dynasties and harbored some glorious remnants of times gone by. History has left the place numerous historical sites and heritage relics which now constitute the main attractions.

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

The Mausoleum is for Sun Yat-sen, the famous Chinese revolutionary hero has an area of over 80,000 sq meters. It is made up of the Memorial Archway, Tomb Passage, Mausoleum Gate, Stone Steps, Stele Pavilion, Sacrifice Hall, and Coffin Chamber.

The complex resembles an alarm bell. Walking through the mausoleum provides an insight into the history of the Republican Period and the life story of Sun Yat-sen. Allow 2-3 hours for a complete visit.

There is a bandstand called Zhongshanling Bandstand for Su Yat-sen. On sunny days it is a pleasant place to walk.

The Memorial of the Nanjing Massacre

Nanjing, once the capital of China, has several historical sites that should not be missed. The Memorial to the Nanjing Massacre is one of them. It was built to commemorate the victims by the Nanjing People’s Government in 1985 and contains the relics and burial places of the Nanjing massacre victims.

This memorial occupies a huge site and includes a large public park. It is divided into 3 parts: Squares Display, Osseous Remains Display, and Historic Material Display. There are lots of photos and historical information telling a graphic story of the tragic events that occurred there and some of the politics that brought it about.

The Memorial is built on the site of one of the burial grounds from the time. It tries to provide a relatively balanced view by adding interviews and statements of some Japanese soldiers and officers who were present as well as some photos and victims’ statements.

Xuan Wu Park

Xuan Wu Park is like an Oasis in the bustle and hustle of the city. Once an imperial garden, now the park is open to the people to enjoy the lake and the city wall. Lovely stands of trees and interesting statues offer a quiet feeling and make people feel relaxed. There are refreshment stalls and lots of docks to rent a boat. Spend 2-3 hours for a relaxing afternoon.

Presidential Palace of Nanjing

With a history of over 600 years, Nanjing has witnessed many of the most significant events in Chinese history including the rise and decline of the first Republic of China. No wonder it has the largest museum highlighting modern Chinese history in the country.

Covering an area of 90,000 sq meters, it is divided into 3 parts. The middle district was used for various government departments’ handling official affairs, the west district was the office of Sun Yat-sen and Secretary’s Office, and the east district was once the former site of the executive office and the leisure area.

Xiaoling Tomb of Ming Dynasty

The tomb of Zhu Yuan Zhang, the first emperor and his empress during the Ming Dynasty, is the biggest imperial mausoleum in Nanjing and one of the biggest in China. In 2003 it was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site.

It covers a long walk and climbs up a wall to visit the tomb. The view is beautiful, and for those who are interested in Chinese history, it has much to appreciate.

Purple Mountain

The mountain is a pretty natural hill with 3 interesting attractions. It is an important site but can be crowded. It will give you an insight into Chinese culture and history. The view from the pagoda is worth the climb. Pay Observation Deck costs CNY15/person.

Jiming Temple

Almost every city visit in China would include a temple tour, which shows the Chinese culture to some extent. Nanjing is no exception to Jiming Temple. This is a tranquil temple with only nuns living at the temple.

The temple is located on a small hill south of Xuanwu Park. The top of the temple offers a lovely view of the city wall, Xuan Wu Lake, and the downtown area. If you want a better view from the top of the pagoda, pay an extra fee. The temple is also a place to appreciate the Cherry blossom during the spring time.

Nanjing City Wall

Nanjing Ming City Wall is the longest city wall in the world at 35.5 km. The second longest is the Paris City Wall at 29.5 km. With a history of over 600 years and built by Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Ming emperor, the city wall is truly splendid and one of the best preserved in China.

Confucian Temple

The Temple was built in Ming and Qing architectural styles and has China’s biggest bronze statue of Confucius at 4.18 meters high and weighing 2,500 kg. It was built in 1034 and rebuilt in 1869. It was destroyed during the Second World War. After the liberation of China, the Nanjing government rebuilt it and made it a landmark site along the Qinhuai River

The area around the Confucian Temple has become one of the busiest areas in Nanjing and has many food options and souvenirs to remember your visit. At night the view is brilliant and it’s also a good part of town to eat your way around. If you want to take something back home, the area offers a lot to choose from. Just remember to bargain.

Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge

Connecting the downtown area and the Pukou district, the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge was the first double-deck bridge for railway and road traffic in China. The upper deck is the road bridge at 4589 meters long and 15 meters wide while the lower deck is the railway bridge at 6772 meters long and 14 meters wide.

The Main Bridge is 1577 meters long with the rest being the approaches. With 200 statues and 150 pairs of magnolia flower-shaped street lamps, the bridge is an attraction in its own right.

Yu Hua Tai

Located 1 km from Zhonghua Gate, Yu Hua Tai Interest Spot is a historical place with beautiful scenery. It consists of 6 areas: the scenic Spot and historic Resort, the Martyrs Cemetery Area, the Cultural Area of Yu Hua Stone, the Cultural Area of Yu Hua Tea, the Recreational Area, and the Ecological Forest Area.

It commemorates Chinese revolutionary predecessors and also it offers beautiful scenery to see. Around the station, there is a small market which sells local specialties.

There is once a beautiful story about the name. A Buddhist monk once spoke to a crowd there and his words were so pious that they touched heaven, flowers fell from heaven like raindrops (Yu Hua). The colorful stones in the water are called Yu Hua Shi, which means raindrop flowers.

Yu Hua Stones are easy to find everywhere in Nanjing, but they don’t compare with those of Yu Hua Tai.

Zhonghua Gate

Zhonghua Gate is the largest ancient castle in China. The structure was the south gate of the capital during the early Ming Dynasty and was named Jubao Gate later. In 1931, the name was changed to Zhonghua Gate.

The castle was built as a fortification in ancient times. The gate is both massive in size and human accomplishment and reflects the role of Nanjing as the imperial center of government and power. The view of the wall and surrounding the city is amazing from the top. It is possible to bike along the wall.

Qin Huai River

Qinhuai River is the mother river of the city. The river crosses the downtown area from east to west and meets the Yangtze River at Xishui Pass.

The river can tell many stories. Its heyday was during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. However the effect of wars and the decline of river transport decreased its economic importance. In 1985, the Nanjing government restored the river and surrounding area to make it to its former beauty.

The lantern display on a boat ride at night is beautiful. The busiest period is at Spring Festival when a lantern show is staged. Usually, an outing to the Qinhuai River would be combined with a walk around the local market along the bank. If you want to buy remember bargain hard!

Nanjing Underwater World

Nanjing Underwater World could be a haven from the summer heat and very interesting for children. Around 200 species and more than 10,000 ocean creatures live at the aquarium. It has the main hall, the computer classroom, a corridor, a tropical rain forest district, a penguin hall, a seal performance hall, a sub-bottom tunnel, an underwater cinema, a petting section, and a theater to see the Dancing with Sharks show.

Intercity Transportation

As the capital of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing is a key rail hub for the Jinghu Railway and Ningtong Railway. Planes and buses also connect most cities in China. Nanjing also has the largest inland harbor on the Yangtze River. Passengers embark there for a Yangtze River Cruise.

By Air

Nanjing Lukou International Airport: Nanjing Lukou International Airport opened on 1st, July 1997, this airport is 35 km away from the downtown area and links with Ninghu Highway, Ningtong Highway, Ninglian Highway, and Ninghang Highway. It takes 45 minutes of driving time on the airport highway from the airport to the city center.

The airport is aiming at becoming a main hub and the center of air cargo and parcel distribution in China. Currently the airport has over 130 air lines linking with 54 domestic cities and 20 international cities. Every week more than 1200 flights depart.

Nanjing Lukou International Airport has 25 airlines using its facilities including Air China, China Eastern Air Holding Company, China Southern Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa Group, and Asiana Airlines.

Getting to the City Center from the Airport

1. Airport Shuttle Buses: there are 2 shuttle bus lines linking the city center and the airport: Line 1 for the east line and Line 2 for the west line for CNY20/person.

Line 1

Line 2

2. Taxi: it costs about CNY100 by taxi from the airport to Zhonghua Gate Bus Station which is 38 km.

Getting to the Airport from the City Center

Take Bus 2、38、16、39、49、111 and 116 at Zhonghuamen Bus Station and get off at West Street or Run Tai Market. It operates between 6:00-21:00 and it departs every 20 minutes.

By Train

At present, there are 2 railway stations in Nanjing. They are Nanjing Railway Station and Nanjing South Railway Station. Nanjing Railway Station is the main station. Most trains going to or passing through Nanjing, stop at Nanjing Railway Station. Only a few trains going to Wuhu direction stop at Nanjing South Railway Station.

Bus Guide to Main Nanjing Attractions from Nanjing Railway Station

By Highway

Nine highways pass through Nanjing for the surrounding areas and lead to most provinces in China. The city has 8 Long-distance Coach Stations and 1 Hongqiao Tourism Bus Station. Nanjing Long-distance Coach Station is the biggest and busiest coach station in Jiangsu Province.

Zhongyangmen Coach Station

East Long-distance Coach Station

North Long-distance Coach Station

South Nanjing Coach Station

Getang Coach Station

Jiangning Coach Station

City Transportation

Nanjing's urban transportation is convenient, with extensive subway lines and frequent bus services. Taxis and ride-hailing vehicles are also easily available. Whether for sightseeing or daily commuting, it's easy to find a suitable mode of transportation.

By Subways

Nanjing Metro has 13 operational lines, including Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, S1, S3, S6, S7, S8, and S9. Many famous attractions can be reached by metro.

By Bus

Nanjing has a good local transportation system. The main routes are listed below.

Urban Routes: Bus NOs 1-159

Urban Mini Buses: Bus NOs start with 3

Urban Night Lines: Bus NOs start with 8

Tourism Line: Bus NOs start with “游”

Buses in Pukou District and Liuhe Districts: Bus NOs start with 6;

Buses in Jiangning District: Bus NOs start with “区”

Night Line in Jiangning District: Bus NOs start with “夜”

Buses linking urban areas and suburb areas: Bus NOs start with “文”

Ticket Fares

Ordinary Bus: CNY1/person

Air-conditioned Bus: CNY2/person

By Boat

Ferry is also one of the popular means of transportation in this river city. Zhongshan Dock is the ferry dock in Nanjing and is located along the south bank of the Yangtze River in the Xiaguan District of Nanjing City. Ningpu Line goes to Pukou Dock on the other side of the river. Ningpu Line is the major river service.

Zhongshan Dock

By Taxi

The flag fall in Nanjing is 9 Yuan for the 1st 3 km and then 2.4 Yuan/km. A 2 Yuan fuel surcharge is payable on top of the total charge on the meter.

Renting a Car

Several car rental companies operate with the biggest being Zhongbei Automobile Leasing Company. The normal rate is CNY220/day for a Pu Sang and CNY260/day for a Hao Sang. The mileage allowance is usually 300 km/day.

Activities

During Chinese holidays, many activities with local characteristics are held in Nanjing city. Some popular activities are as follows:

Qinhuai Exhibition of Lanterns

Qinhuai Exhibition is also known as the Jingling Exhibition of lanterns. When Spring Festival and Lantern Festivals come, the Qinhuai River banks are decorated with many lanterns and it never sleeps during those times. Lantern making and other activities like paper-cutting, shadow puppet sculpture, dancing, Quyi, and variety shows provide an insight into the traditional side of old Nanjing.

Nanjing International Plum Blossom Festival

One of the liveliest festivals in Nanjing is International Plum Blossom Festival, held in February every year. Thousands of plum trees blossom are blooming making a sea of plum blossoms. People flood into Meihua Villa to see the beautiful natural display.

Antique Flea Market

During New Year’s Day, May Day, and National Day vendors go to Chaotian Gong in Nanjing to organize the Antique Flea Market. Hundreds of stalls display a variety of antiques of every kind from old tickets to jade.

If you are in Nanjing during these periods, don’t miss this special activity.

Nanjing 1912 Fashion Blocks

Located at the junction of Changjiang Road and Taiping North Road, Nanjing 1912 consists of 17 buildings built in the style of the Republic of China in the early 1900s. Four main blocks covering an area of 30,000 square meters it was opened in 2004 and is a place where west meets east.

Food

Nanjing Qinhuai snacks food at the Confucian Temple is one of China’s four recognized Snack food types, along with Shanghai Snacks at the Temple of City God, Suzhou Snacks at Xuanmiao Guan, and Changsha Snacks at Huogongdian. It has a history of over 1,000 years over Six Dynasties and has up to 100 varieties. The most famous are Duck Blood Noodles Soup, Nanjing Boiled Salted Duck, Small Cakes, and Spicy Crayfish.

Nanjing Boiled Salted Duck: Nanjing is called the Capital of Ducks, which reflects Nanjingers’ deep love for ducks. Boiled Salted Duck has a history of over 1,000 years and its good smell, crispness, and tenderness make it a special dish for locals. Around Mid-autumn festivals the boiled salted duck is at its best because it is made with Osmanthus blossoms. It is such an enjoyable thing for locals to have boiled salted ducks together with beer.

Small Cakes: Nanjingers like sweet food not greasy or sticky but glutinous. The shapes and colors are also important. Small cakes in Nanjing are colorful, small, sweet, and smell good.

Spicy Crayfish: Spicy Crayfish is a must-eat when trying Nanjing local food at only 10 Yuan/Crayfish. If you like spicy seafood then spicy crayfish is for you!

Things Must to Do in Nanjing

When visiting Nanjing, there are plenty of things you must do! Start your trip by exploring the historic Confucius Temple Area, where you can shop for souvenirs and taste local snacks. Don't miss the stunning scenery along the Qinhuai River at night.

1. Take a Night Cruise along the Qinhuai River

There are many night activities after dark in this modern city but for tourists taking a night cruise along Qinhuai River offers a fantastic insight into Nanjing’s history.

Qinhuai River is the biggest river in Nanjing and includes the Inner River and Outside River. The Inner River goes across Nanjing City and is a very busy section in the Qinhuai area. It originates in 2 places—Baohua Mountain and Donglu Mountain and empties into the Yangtze River.

The area is especially beautiful after dark because of the colorful lights and lanterns along the bank. The trip can be combined with a visit to the Confucius Temple Market, where lots of local souvenirs are on sale.

2. Buy Souvenirs at Confucius Temple Area

The Confucius Temple was constructed in 1034. It is an oriental-style building which has experienced much over the years. The local government in recent years has carefully protected it to make it a landmark scenic site along the Qinhuai River.

The Zhaobi on the south Bank of the Qinhuai River is a screen wall facing the gate of a house. It is 110 yards long. The central part of the temple houses a bronze sculpture of Confucius, which is the biggest in China.

The greatest difference between this temple and other Confucian Temples in China is that it is situated along the river bank, which adds tranquility and natural beauty to the Confucius Temple Market.

Around the temple, there are lots of local souvenirs on sale. The nearby food street is also a great place to sample the local food. The quality of the souvenirs in the market can vary so choose wisely. Pick and compare carefully before you decide to buy. Do not forget to bargain hard. It is ok to stroll around the area in the day or at night time.

3. Tasting the Local Food at Nanjing Da Pai Dang

Most people like to taste the local food when traveling. In Nanjing, Da Pai Dang at Deji Plaza offers a place to taste the most delicious and famous local foods in a good atmosphere.

If you ask the locals where they get their comfort food, most would probably recommend Da Pai Dang! There are 2 Da Pai Dangs in Nanjing, one in Deji Plaza (Xinjiekou Station) and the other in Hunan Road (Xuanwumen Station). The De Ji Plaza is more popular because of its convenient location.

Da Pai Dang means eating food in a place where it is not formal and you can eat or talk as you like. However, though Da Pai Dang uses the name, the environment and atmosphere are good.

The food is nice and easy to order. Dishes like Pig's bag with ginger and soya sauce, Lotus with honey and glutinous rice, Clear soup with big balls of minced meat, and Chicken feet are favored by many foreign people

Where to Shop

Though Nanjing's shopping is not that of Shanghai, it has places to explore as any big city in China does. Many malls are located on Hunan Road and Xinjiekou Streets.

1. Hunan Road: Hunan Road is a prosperous pedestrian street with many specialty stores. A popular mall is Pacific Mall which has the most famous brands.

2. Xin Jie Kou: it is the downtown area of Nanjing and has many stores. Xinjiekou Department and Central Emporium Mall are well-known for clothes at mid-range cost. East Mall, Jinling Department, and Golden Eagles are favored for high-end clothing brands.

Local Products

Nanjing brocade, Yu Hua Stones, Jinling folding fans and Jinling gold foil are the most popular local products for travelers when looking for local products to take home. The most famous area for buying such things is the Confucian Temple Market and don’t forget to bargain if you are going to buy.

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