CITY · JIANGSU
Nanjing
南京 · Nánjīng
Overview
Former capital of the Ming dynasty and the Republic of China, on the Yangtze. Imperial walls, presidential palace, the Nanjing Massacre Memorial, and Purple Mountain.
Nanjing has been the capital of China six times, from the early imperial Wu kingdom (229 CE) through the Eastern Jin, the Six Dynasties period, the Ming dynasty founding (1368 CE), and the Republic of China under Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek. The accumulated weight of that history gives the city a different texture from comparable Chinese megacities.
The Ming-era city wall, at 35 km the longest preserved city wall in the world, still encloses much of the historic core. Zhonghua Gate on the southern section is the most intact gateway complex: five moats, three inner gates and multiple hidden soldier chambers constitute what was effectively a standalone fortress. The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on Purple Mountain (Zijinshan), east of the city, is one of modern China's most visited memorials — 392 steps up to the mausoleum chamber, visited by millions annually as a pilgrimage of Republican memory. The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (UNESCO), tomb of the dynasty's founder, is nearby.
The Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall on the city's western edge documents the 1937 Japanese occupation with extensive artifact and photographic records, a memorial wall of victims' names, and a mass-grave excavation visible under glass. It is sobering rather than sensationalist and represents one of the more serious conflict memorials in Asia.
The Confucius Temple (Fuzi Miao) area on the Qinhuai River is Nanjing's evening street-food and nightlife district: coloured lanterns, boat rides on the river, and dozens of stalls selling salted duck, duck blood noodle soup and osmanthus sweet-rice dishes.
What to see
- Ming City Wall — Zhonghua Gate is the largest preserved city gate in China
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on Purple Mountain
- Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (UNESCO) — tomb of the Ming founder
- Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River area — best at night
- Presidential Palace — seat of the Republic of China government 1927–1949
- Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall — sober and substantial
- Nanjing Museum — second-largest in China
- Gulou (Drum Tower) and the Yuejianglou Pavilion
What to eat
- Salted duck (yán shuǐ yā) — Nanjing's signature dish
- Duck blood and vermicelli soup (鸭血粉丝汤)
- Jingling Roast Duck (a regional Beijing-duck cousin)
- Pidu pancake (鸭油酥烧饼)
- Soup dumplings (Suzhou-style)
Getting there
Nanjing Lukou (NKG) airport, 35 km south — Line 1 metro to the city. Nanjing South is the HSR station: Shanghai Hongqiao 1h 10m, Beijing South 3h 30m.
Getting around
Metro is comprehensive (11 lines). Walking the Confucius Temple area in the evening is the way to see it. Cycling Purple Mountain is feasible. Didi works.
Where to stay
Xinjiekou (central) for shopping and HSR access. Confucius Temple area for atmosphere. Purple Mountain area for greener stays near the mausoleum sights.
We list neighbourhoods, not specific hotels — we don't endorse hotels.
When to go
March–April for cherry and plum blossom; October–November for autumn light. Avoid mid-summer humidity. The Nanjing Massacre commemoration on 13 December is a national memorial day; the museum is busy.
Budget guide (CNY per day)
| Backpacker | ¥280 |
| Mid-range | ¥620 |
| Comfortable | ¥1500 |
More on Nanjing
Other cities in Jiangsu
- Suzhou苏州
City of canals and classical gardens, half an hour from Shanghai. UNESCO-listed gardens, the cradle of Kunqu opera, and the historic centre of Chinese silk production.
- Wuxi无锡
Prosperous Jiangnan city on the shore of Taihu, one of China's largest freshwater lakes. Known for lake crab, the canal quarter of Nanchan Temple, Lingshan Grand Buddha, and the traditional gardens of Jichang Yuan.
- Yancheng盐城
Coastal city in east Jiangsu, centre of China's salt-pan heritage, and home to the Yancheng National Nature Reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and critical staging post for millions of migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, including endangered red-crowned cranes and Black-faced Spoonbills.
- Yangzhou扬州
Grand Canal city in central Jiangsu. The Slender West Lake, classical gardens, and Yangzhou's signature breakfast tea-and-dumplings tradition.
Itineraries visiting Nanjing
- Fujian Coast and Tulou Circuit, 7 days
7d · Xiamen's colonial island of Gulangyu, the Hakka earthen fortress villages of the tulou, Quanzhou's medieval Islamic and Confucian heritage, and the tea mountain of Wuyi — a Fujian round-trip.
- Classical Gardens Circuit — Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Beyond, 12 days
12d · China's finest classical gardens in sequence: Suzhou's UNESCO garden quartet, Hangzhou's West Lake landscape, Yangzhou's slender garden tradition, and Shaoxing's canal-town context.
- Birding China: Sichuan endemics and Yellow Sea coast in 14 days
14d · Sichuan's endemic loop through Wolong, Balang Pass, and Xinduqiao, then the Yellow Sea coast for spoonbills and cranes.
Food of Eastern China
- Beggar's Chicken叫花鸡
A whole chicken stuffed with aromatics, wrapped in lotus leaves and clay, then slow-baked until the meat steams in its own juices.
- Drunken Chicken醉鸡
Chicken steamed and marinated in Shaoxing rice wine, served chilled. A Shanghai banquet starter.
- Eight-Treasure Rice八宝饭
A steamed dome of glutinous rice layered with red bean paste and decorated with eight types of preserved fruits and nuts.
- Hairy Crab大闸蟹
Yangcheng Lake mitten crab — the autumn delicacy of the Yangtze Delta. Eaten steamed with vinegar dip.
Nanjing weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 8 | 11 | 17 | 21 | 26 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 22 | 17 | 10 |
| Low °C | 0 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 14 | 9 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 59 | 54 | 80 | 67 | 96 | 175 | 275 | 104 | 70 | 54 | 43 | 25 |
| Rain days | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 19 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
2019–2023 average via Open-Meteo ERA5 (ERA5 reanalysis). "Rain days" = days per month with ≥1 mm precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Nanjing?
- The best months to visit Nanjing are March, April, October, and November. March–April for cherry and plum blossom; October–November for autumn light. Avoid mid-summer humidity.
- How many days do you need in Nanjing?
- Plan 4 to 5 days for Nanjing if you want to see the headline sights without rushing — Ming City Wall, Sun Yat, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (UNESCO). Add an extra day for day trips from the city or for repeat visits to your favourite neighbourhood.
- How do you get around Nanjing?
- Metro is comprehensive (11 lines). Walking the Confucius Temple area in the evening is the way to see it. Cycling Purple Mountain is feasible.
- What's the daily budget for Nanjing?
- Budget guide for Nanjing: backpackers from around ¥280/day, mid-range travellers ¥620/day, comfortable trips from ¥1500/day. These ranges cover accommodation, food, local transport and one paid sight per day, and exclude flights to and from the city.
- Where should you stay in Nanjing?
- Xinjiekou (central) for shopping and HSR access. Confucius Temple area for atmosphere. Purple Mountain area for greener stays near the mausoleum sights.
Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction.
Research
Cross-checked against primary sources
Verified
Address, hours, fees confirmed at the date shown
Updated
Re-verified periodically; corrections welcome