Nanjing Travel Guide

Nanjing: China's  "Beautiful Ancient Capital" - A City Where Mountains, Rivers, and History Meet

For travelers seeking a deeper understanding of China's history and the harmony between past and present, Nanjing is an unmissable destination. Known as one of China's Six Ancient Capitals, the city served as the capital for ten dynasties, leaving behind rich and layered history.

Today, Nanjing is a modern city where history and contemporary life shine side by side, and where culture and nature coexist in balance. From the solemn imperial mausoleums to the lantern-lit Qinhuai River, from UNESCO World Heritage 

sites to the fashionable streets along Changjiang Road, Nanjing’s diverse charm continues to captivate travelers from around the world.

Nanjing City Overview

Location: Nanjing is located in  eastern China's Jiangsu Province, along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It is a key hub in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Historical Significance: With over 2,500 years of urban history and nearly 500 years as a capital, Nanjing is recognized as one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals, alongside Xi'an, Luoyang, and Beijing.

City Character: Deep-rooted,  inclusive, and elegant. Nanjing combines the grandeur of an ancient capital, the grace of Jiangnan water towns, and the openness of a modern  metropolis.

Convenience for International Travelers:

• Nanjing is one of the cities offering 240-hour visa-free transit, making stopovers and short visits much easier for eligible international travelers arriving through designated ports.

• The city provides multilingual services and widely accepted mobile payments, ensuring a smooth and comfortable experience for overseas visitors.

Key Features of Nanjing

Mountains, Water, and Green Spaces:  Nanjing is surrounded by nature, with the Yangtze River running through      the city. Purple Mountain, Xuanwu Lake, and the Qinhuai River give the  city a calm and scenic feel.

Deep History You Can See and Feel:  Nanjing is one of China's great historic cities. Sites like the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and  the Nanjing Massacre Memorial tell the story of China's past in a clear and powerful way.

Lively Day and Night: Nanjing is a city to slow down and stay longer. Visit museums and historic sites by  day, then enjoy Qinhuai River night cruises, light shows at Zhonghua Gate,  and art markets along Changjiang Road.

Local Culture and Food: Known as China's "duck capital," Nanjing is famous for its duck dishes. The city is also home to traditional arts like Yunjin brocade and paper cutting, which are still part of daily life today.

Top Attractions in Nanjing

Nanjing's tourism authorities have designed several classic routes to help visitors explore the city efficiently. Below are some must-see highlights, grouped by theme for easy planning:

World Heritage & Historic Core

Zhongshan Scenic Area
(including Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, and Meiling Palace)
Located at the foot of Purple Mountain, this green area is the city's "urban lung." It brings together a UNESCO World Heritage imperial tomb and key modern historical sites. The area is easy to explore by bike or sightseeing shuttle.

Ming City Wall (Taicheng Section) 
Walk along a 600-year-old city wall for panoramic views of Purple Mountain and Xuanwu Lake—one of the best places to see Nanjing's unique "mountain–water–city" layout.

Qinhuai River & Old South City

Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River Area
Nanjing's cultural symbol. A night boat cruise on the Qinhuai River offers lantern-lit scenery and a taste of the city's poetic past.

Laomendong Historic District
A restored old neighborhood filled with local snacks, traditional craft studios, and small cafés—perfect for experiencing everyday Nanjing life.

Museums & Art Spaces

Nanjing Museum
One of China’s top three museums, known for its rich collections. The "Republic of China Gallery"recreates old Nanjing streets and is great for photos.

Deji Art Museum
Located in the busy Xinjiekou shopping area, famous for international exhibitions and night openings. The digital "Jinling Map" exhibition offers an immersive journey into Song-dynasty Nanjing.

Six Dynasties Museum
Set along Changjiang Road, this well-designed museum is known for the "Window of Jinling," where ancient buildings, trees, and modern towers frame a beautiful view.

Nature & Scenic Parks

Xuanwu Lake Park
China's largest royal garden lake, free to enter. Popular for walking, cycling, and lotus viewing in summer.

Qixia Mountain
Often called "half of Nanjing's history in one mountain," famous for autumn red leaves and the thousand-year-old Qixia Temple.

Nearby City Day Trips (1–2 Days)

Yangzhou (about 1 hour by high-speed train): A historic city famous for elegant gardens such as Geyuan and Heyuan, and its traditional morning tea culture, often described as "drinking tea like enjoying a feast."

Zhenjiang (about 20 minutes by high-speed train): Home to the scenic "Three Mountains of Jingkou"-Jinshan, Jiaoshan, and Beigu Mountain—offering beautiful views along the Yangtze River.

Suzhou (about 1–1.5 hours by high-speed train): Another world-famous City of Gardens, known for its refined classical Jiangnan garden art.

Must-Try Local Food

Jinling Duck Dishes:

• Salted Duck: Firm, tender meat with a light savory flavor

• Nanjing Roast Duck: Different in style from Beijing roast duck

• Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup: A rich and comforting local favorite

Dumplings & Sweets:

• Jiming Soup Dumplings: Thin skin, full of soup

• Sweet Taro Balls with Osmanthus:  Soft and lightly sweet

• Beef Potstickers: Crispy outside,  juicy inside

Food Streets:
Beyond Confucius Temple, locals love Hongmiao and Ke Lane, as well as traditional markets for authentic street food.

Fine Dining:
The 2025 Jiangsu Michelin Guide was released in Nanjing, with several recommended restaurants in the city.

Getting In & Out of Nanjing

By Air:

• Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) is a major air hub in eastern China.

• International flights connect Nanjing with cities across Asia-Pacific      and Europe, including Sydney, Melbourne, Milan, Tokyo, and Osaka, as well as intercontinental routes to New York, Amsterdam, and Chicago.

By Train:

• Nanjing Railway Station and Nanjing South Railway Station are the main high-speed rail hubs.

• Travel times: Shanghai (1–1.5 hours), Beijing (3.5–4  hours), Hangzhou (about 1.5 hours).

Best Time to Visit Nanjing

Best Seasons: March–May & September–November
Spring (March–May) is perfect for flower viewing, with plum blossoms at Meihua Mountain, cherry blossoms at Jiming Temple, and crabapple flowers around Xuanwu Lake. 

Autumn (September–November) brings clear skies and cooler weather, with stunning red leaves at Qixia Mountain and beautiful autumn colors along the Stone Elephant Road at Ming Xiaoling.

Summer: June–August
Summer is hot, but lakeside areas like Xuanwu Lake are ideal for enjoying lotus flowers. The city also comes alive at night with night markets, light shows, and Yangtze River night cruises.

Winter: December–February
Winters are cold and damp, with occasional snowfall. Fewer visitors make it a quieter time to explore museums and indoor attractions. When it snows, the historic city takes on a peaceful, scenic charm.

Recommended Itinerary: Classic 3-Day Nanjing Tour

Day 1: Arrive in Nanjing. In the afternoon, visit Zhongshan Scenic Area, focusing on Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum or Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. Enjoy sunset views from the Ming City Wall (Taicheng Section).

Day 2: Morning visit to the Nanjing Museum. In the afternoon, explore the Presidential Palace and Confucius Temple area, followed by a Qinhuai River night cruise.

Day 3: Visit the Imperial Examination Museum or stroll around Laomendong Historic District, then depart Nanjing.