(This guide has been written by the creator of the China online travel guide, YenKid In China, who last visited Nanjing in summer 2025).

Key Contents: attractions + activities + itinerary + directions + where to stay + what to eat + where to eat

Introduction

Nanjing is best known for

its rich history going all the way back to the Three Kingdoms period.
its city walls, temples, mausoleums, presidential palace, and scenic areas.
being the site of the Nanjing Massacre in 1937 and the memorial that stands on the site today

A Few Facts about Nanjing

One of the four great ancient capitals of China, spanning 10 dynasties over 450 years.
Its name is literally “southern capital”, as opposed to the “northern capital” that is Beijing. It was named Jinling in ancient dynasties and the name is still used today.
China’s longest river, the Yangtze River, flows through the city

What I liked particularly about Nanjing 👍🏻

The depth of culture, history, and tradition of the city. A huge amount of things to see.
Picturesque parts of the city, such as Xuanwu Lake, Qinhuai River, and Zijin Mountain. I didn’t realise that it had so many scenic spots.
The local food. Not particularly familiar with Nanjing or Jiangsu cuisine, and I really liked it.

3 Things To See + Photographic Spots Not To Be Missed 📷

Taking a classic sunset photo on the city wall with Jimeng Temple and Zifeng Tower in the background.
Hopping between the beautiful islands on Xuanwu Lake.
Seeing the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, and Linggu Pagoda.

3 Things To Do 🚶🏻

Paying a visit to the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre.
Exploring Fuzimiao district and seeing the colourful night lights along the Qinhuai River.
Hiking up or taking the sightseeing bus up Zijin Mountain.

Points of Interest / Attractions to Visit 🌆

Nanjing City Wall 南京城墙 - definitely worth visiting, there are multiple sections. I visited the Jiefangmen section which runs along the south side of Xuanwu Lake.
One of the most attractive traditional-modern skylines in China, in my opinion. The views are absolutely stunning at sunset.
Jiming Temple 鸡鸣寺 - one of the icons of Nanjing, and its colourful design really gives a remarkable contrast against the city wall and the modern skyscrapers. Probably my favourite temple design.
Xuanwu Lake 玄武湖 - this lake has multiple breathtaking spots and I really enjoyed hopping between the islands. Amazing views at sunset. You can even take a boat out on the lake.
Memorial Hall of Nanjing Massacre 南京大屠杀遇难同胞纪念馆 - I was familiar with the history behind it, but I was still very shocked by the exhibits on display. There are certain things that I did not expect to see.
This is a museum I will never forget. I recommend everyone sees it.
Presidential Palace 总统府 - the palace during the Republic of China period. You can see traditional buildings including the former residence of Sun Yat-sen, gardens, ponds, pavilions, offices, meeting rooms.
It definitely exceeded my expectations. Surprisingly a lot of places to relax and take in the history.
Nanjing Museum 南京博物馆 - one of the best museums I’ve been to. There was so much to see here from multiple dynasties in China’s history. Some of the most precious artifacts I’ve ever seen. I also loved the themed street from the 1930s. Could have easily spent most of the day here.
Fuzimiao Confucius Temple and Pedestrian Street 夫子庙 - this iconic temple honors Confucius and his teachings. Oddly, I didn’t expect to find a cultural district around the temple, which was a pleasant surprise!
It really comes alive at night with the colourful lights and lively atmosphere. You must see the wall decorated with dragons.
You can also ride on a boat along the Qinhuai River. Get ready to take photo after photo. Lots of local restaurants, cafes, and shops in this area.
Laomendong 老门东 - a historic and culturally rich district with lots of traditional architecture. It’s not far from Fuzimiao. A definite must visit during the evening, with a lively atmosphere. There’s a lot of choice for restaurants and cafes.
Zijin Mountain 紫金山 - multiple attractions in this vast scenic area. Home to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Linggu Temple, Meiling Palace, Music Hall.
There’s also an observatory, botanical gardens, and even an aquarium. I recommend spending most of a day here.
Porcelain Tower 琉璃塔 - a striking nine-storey octagonal tower situated in Dabao’en Temple in the south of the city. Originally built in 1431, it was destroyed with the modern day version re-built in the 21st century. I visited this tower on my way to the Zhonghuamen section of the city wall.
1912 District - an attractive commercial area next to the Presidential Palace, with lots of restaurants and cafes. I recommend you have a meal here too.
Chaotiangong 朝天宫 - a Ming dynasty palace now home to the Nanjing Municipal Museum. Worth checking out if you’re really into palaces and artifacts.
Niushou Mountain (meaning “ox head mountain”) 牛首山 - a Buddhist picturesque scenic area located in the far southern outskirts of the city. The highlights are the underground Foding Palace with a large dome as well as the Foding Pagoda and Hongjue Pagoda. The architecture here is striking and unique.

My Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 - Nanjing Museum ➡️ Xuanwu Lake ➡️ Jiming Temple ➡️ City Wall, Jiefangmen ➡️ 1912 District
Day 2 - Memorial Hall of Nanjing Massacre ➡️ Presidential Palace ➡️ Porcelain Tower of Nanjing ➡️ City Wall, Zhonghuamen ➡️ Laomendong ➡️ Qinhuai River ➡️ Fuzimiao
Day 3 - Zijin Mountain Scenic Area ➡️ Meilinggong ➡️ Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum ➡️ Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum ➡️ Yinyuetai (Music Hall) ➡️ Linggu Temple

Summary of Attractions 🎟️

Attraction | Ticket Price | Metro Station Exit

Nanjing Museum | free | Line 2, Minggugong, Exit 1
Memorial Hall of Nanjing Massacre | free | Line 2, Yunjin Lu, Exit 2
Presidential Palace | 40rmb | Line 2/3, Daxinggong, Exit 1/5
Xuanwu Lake | free | Line 1, Xuanwumen, Exit 3
City Wall (Jiefangmen) | 15rmb | Line 3/4, Jimeng Temple, Exit 5
Jiming Temple | 10rmb | Line 3/4, Jimeng Temple, Exit 5
Fuzimiao (Confucius Temple) | 30rmb | Line 3/5, Fuzimiao, Exit 2/6
Porcelain Tower | 90rmb | Line 1, Zhonghuamen, Exit 2
Zijin Mountain | free to enter, some of the attractions require paid entry | Line 2, Muxuyuan, Exit 1
Note: most museums closed on Mondays. Even if the attraction is free, it is likely to require online booking. Please check Trip or the official museum mini-program for info.
(Information last checked in Sept 2025)

Recommended Days in Nanjing 📅

3 days for the city, additional days if you want to visit any attractions away from the central districts (like Niushou Mountain)

Best Time to Visit ☀️

March to May + September to November
Nanjing is called one of the Three Furnaces, because it’s extremely hot and humid in summer. Can approach the high 30s on some days in July and August.
See my Weather Dashboard for temperature ranges by month.

How to Get There ✈️

By air

Land at Nanjing Lukou International Airport
OR
Land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport + take the railway to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station + take the high speed train to Nanjing South
OR
Land at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport + walk across to the railway station + take the high speed train to Nanjing South

By land

Take the high speed train to Nanjing South or Nanjing railway station. Nanjing South is around 1 hour from Shanghai Hongqiao and 3-4 hours from Beijing South. Trains to Nanjing station take a lot longer so I would avoid it if I were you.

How to Get Around 🚇

The most convenient way is Nanjing Metro. It has 14 lines as of 2025 and is one of the top 10 longest metro networks in the world.
City taxis or DiDi are also widely available.
Check out these articles if you’re stuck:
How to Ride the Metro in China: Ultimate Guide to Getting Around the City (2025)
How to Hail a DiDi Driver in China (2025 Guide)

Where Should You Stay 🛏️

Xuanwu district if you want to be near to most of the traditional attractions and Xuanwu Lake
Qinhuai district if you want to be near the commercial and cultural districts
Gulou district if you want to stay in a quieter district near the Yangtze River
Check out my article Things To Consider When Booking a Hotel in China
As for specific hotels, I don’t have one that is outstanding. I recommend you use Trip, since it is the top hotel booking platform in China and has the bigger range of hotels. Always cheaper for me as well.
Check out my article How to Get The Best Deal For Hotels in China.

What Should You Eat 🥢

Nanjing is basically the duck capital. I hope you like duck! Just kidding, there’s plenty of duckless dishes if you don’t.
Major Nanjing specialties are:
- Nanjing duck | Nán jīng kǎo yā | 南京烤鸭
- Tangbao (soup dumplings) | tāng bāo | 汤包
- Sweet and sour squirrel fish | sōng shǔ guì yú | 松鼠桂鱼
- Duck blood vermicelli soup | yā xiě fěn sī tāng | 鸭血粉丝汤
- Salted duck | yán shuǐ yā | 盐水鸭
Check out my list of 60 dishes to eat in China here - you can easily find all of the Shanghai and Jiangsu dishes in Nanjing. Look for regional restaurants for the other cuisines.

Where Should I Eat 🧑🏻‍🍳

Major restaurant districts are 1912 District, Fuzimiao, Laomendong, Xinjiekou.
I recommend these restaurants that I visited in 2025.
- 小厨娘淮扬菜 xiǎo chú niáng huái yáng cài - The staff were very attentive and I had a wonderful meal here.
- 梅花颂 méi huā sòng - I loved the decor in the restaurant. Great menu selection. Go to the one in the 1912 District.
- 鸡鸣汤包 jī míng tāng bāo - Excellent tangbao and duck blood vermicelli soup for breakfast.
You can type these in Amap or Dianping and it should locate the nearest restaurant to you. Check out the pictures and menus to see the food and reviews.

Don’t forget the streetside restaurants. You can use Dianping to check out the food and reviews. Check out my article How to Find Great Restaurants in China - A Simplified Guide to Dianping and RedNote.

Best Places to Relax ☺️

Stunning parks such as Xuanwu Lake, Mochou Park, Bailuzhou Park.
You can also take a walk along the Yangtze River. One of the best places is Nanjing Haibin Park. Go to Daqiao Park for a closeup view of Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge.