Nanjing, China travel guide

China's old southern capital: Ming walls, a mountain of tombs and heavy history.

Best time to visit: March-May, September-November
Average daily budget: $40 to $110 USD
Ideal trip length: 2 to 3 days

Nanjing served as capital under six dynasties and again under the Republic, and it wears all of it at once: the longest surviving city wall in the world, the Ming Xiaoling tomb avenue lined with stone animals, Sun Yat-sen's mausoleum climbing Purple Mountain, and the Nanjing Massacre Memorial, which is heavy and essential. Add Confucius Temple's canal-side lanes at night and the ginkgo colour in November. An hour from Shanghai by high-speed rail, it deserves more than the day trip it usually gets.

Nanjing itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Ming City Wall. Walk the ramparts near Zhonghua Gate or Jiefang Gate, the longest ancient wall standing.

Afternoon: Explore Confucius Temple / Qinhuai, Lantern-lit canal, Jiangnan Examination Hall, snack streets and boat rides.

Evening: Confucius Temple at night. Qinhuai River lanterns, snack lanes and a slow boat under the bridges.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. The first Ming emperor's tomb, with the Sacred Way's stone elephants and camels.

Afternoon: Explore Xinjiekou, The commercial core: hotels, malls, metro interchanges and easy bases.

Evening: Nanjing Massacre Memorial. A sober, superbly designed museum of the 1937 atrocity. Free, allow two hours.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Qixia Temple in late November for the best red maple in eastern China.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Purple Mountain, Ming Xiaoling, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Linggu Temple and forest trails.

Evening: The Beamless Hall and Linggu Pagoda, quiet even on Purple Mountain weekends.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

Confucius Temple / Qinhuai: Lantern-lit canal, Jiangnan Examination Hall, snack streets and boat rides.
Xinjiekou: The commercial core: hotels, malls, metro interchanges and easy bases.
Purple Mountain: Ming Xiaoling, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Linggu Temple and forest trails.
Gulou / Nanjing University: Student cafes, tree-lined avenues and the Drum Tower.
Xuanwu Lake: A walled lake park with islands, boats and the best stretch of city wall.

Must-do experiences

Ming City Wall: Walk the ramparts near Zhonghua Gate or Jiefang Gate, the longest ancient wall standing.
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum: The first Ming emperor's tomb, with the Sacred Way's stone elephants and camels.
Nanjing Massacre Memorial: A sober, superbly designed museum of the 1937 atrocity. Free, allow two hours.
Confucius Temple at night: Qinhuai River lanterns, snack lanes and a slow boat under the bridges.

Hidden gems

Qixia Temple in late November for the best red maple in eastern China.
The Beamless Hall and Linggu Pagoda, quiet even on Purple Mountain weekends.
Presidential Palace gardens, the Republic-era seat of government.
Yihe Road's 1930s villa quarter, empty and leafy.

Daily budget

$40 to $110 USD per day.

What to eat

Salted duck, the city's signature, sold by the half at any deli
Duck blood and vermicelli soup, better than it sounds
Soup dumplings and pan-fried buns in the Confucius Temple lanes
Osmanthus rice cake in autumn

Getting around

High-speed trains reach Shanghai in about 70 to 90 minutes, Beijing in 3.5-4.5 hours and Hangzhou in around an hour, arriving at Nanjing South. The metro has ten-plus lines and reaches the airport, Purple Mountain and all main sites for well under a dollar a ride, payable by Alipay or WeChat QR. DiDi is cheap for cross-town hops. Purple Mountain itself needs a sightseeing bus or a lot of walking.

Safety

Nanjing is very safe, with petty theft rare and streets active late. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival because cash is barely accepted, and install a VPN in advance if you rely on Google or Western apps. Summer is famously one of China's furnaces, regularly above 35C with high humidity, and January can drop below freezing. Book the massacre memorial and popular museums through their WeChat mini-programs, which often require ID and same-week reservations.

Frequently asked questions

Is Nanjing worth visiting?

Yes. It has more intact imperial and Republican history than any other city in eastern China, including the world's longest surviving city wall, a UNESCO-listed Ming tomb complex and outstanding museums. It is also far less crowded than Beijing or Xi'an for equivalent sites, and it sits 70 minutes from Shanghai by train.

How many days do you need in Nanjing?

Two full days: one for Purple Mountain with Ming Xiaoling, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Linggu Temple, and one for the Massacre Memorial, the Presidential Palace, the city wall and Confucius Temple at night. A third day suits Qixia Temple in autumn or the Nanjing Museum in depth.

How do you get from Shanghai to Nanjing?

High-speed trains run every few minutes from Shanghai Hongqiao and take 70 to 90 minutes for about $20 to $35 in second class. Book through Trip.com or the Railway 12306 app with your passport. Nanjing South station connects straight into the metro, so you are in the city centre 20 minutes after arriving.

What is Nanjing famous for?

Being the capital of six dynasties and the Republic of China, its 600-year Ming city wall, the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, and the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, commemorated at a major memorial hall. Food-wise it is known for salted duck and duck blood vermicelli soup.

When is the best time to visit Nanjing?

Late March to May for plum and cherry blossom on Purple Mountain, and September to November for mild weather and the ginkgo and maple colour that peaks in late November. Summer is one of China's hottest, humid and above 35C for weeks, and winter is damp and near freezing.

Do you need to book the Nanjing Massacre Memorial in advance?

Yes. Entry is free but requires a reservation through the memorial's WeChat mini-program, usually released a few days ahead, and you show your passport at the gate. Slots for weekends and holidays fill quickly. Allow at least two hours inside; it is a demanding visit and photography is restricted in parts.

Is Nanjing expensive?

It is mid-range for China. Hostels run $15 to $25, good business hotels $50 to $90, metro rides under a dollar, and meals $4 to $8 at local places or $15 to $25 for a proper restaurant dinner. Many major sites including the massacre memorial are free, while Purple Mountain attractions cost $5 to $10 each. Budget around $40 to $70 a day.

Tours and activities in Nanjing | Nanjing in 3 days | Nanjing in 5 days | Nanjing in 7 days