Nanjing Travel Guide for Foreigners

Why Visit Nanjing?

Nanjing ("Southern Capital") sits 300km northwest of Shanghai and is one of China's Four Ancient Capitals. Unlike Xi'an's ancient past, Nanjing's history is more recent and more viscerally felt — particularly the tragic Nanjing Massacre of 1937. The city handles its complex 20th-century history with extraordinary care, making it one of the most emotionally resonant destinations in China. Beyond memorials, Nanjing offers some of China's most impressive Ming dynasty heritage, beautiful Xuanwu Lake, and a pleasant, manageable city scale.

Top Attractions

1. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (中山陵)

The magnificent mausoleum of the Republic of China's founding father sits on Purple Mountain, approached via 392 steps symbolizing the Chinese population at the time. The blue-roofed buildings set against forest and mountain make for one of China's most photogenic heritage sites. The surrounding Zhongshan Scenic Area includes the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Beautiful Linggu Temple — plan a full day for the whole complex.

2. Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall (侵华日军南京大屠杀遇难同胞纪念馆)

A sobering and essential visit for understanding modern Chinese history. The memorial commemorates the 300,000 civilians killed during the Japanese occupation in 1937–38. The architecture is deliberately confrontational; the exhibitions are thorough and multilingual. Allow 2–3 hours. Free entry; book online with passport. Visitors should maintain respectful silence throughout.

3. Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (明孝陵)

The tomb of the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming dynasty, is a UNESCO World Heritage site set within Zhongshan National Park. The Sacred Way — flanked by stone animals and military officials — is one of China's most atmospheric heritage walks, especially in autumn when leaves turn gold.

4. Nanjing City Wall (南京城墙)

The world's longest surviving city wall (35km in its original extent) was built during the early Ming dynasty. A 6km stretch remains walkable, offering elevated views over the city. The Zhonghua Gate fortress is particularly impressive — its multiple layers of gates and hidden soldier chambers are the most sophisticated Ming-era military architecture in China.

5. Confucius Temple Area (夫子庙)

The restored temple complex along the Qinhuai River is Nanjing's liveliest tourist area — riverside walkways, traditional architecture, lanterns at night, and excellent street food. Best visited at dusk when the lanterns reflect on the river.

6. Xuanwu Lake (玄武湖)

A large park lake inside the Ming city wall, popular for rowing, cycling around the perimeter (8km), and watching locals engage in leisurely afternoon activities. The pagoda islands are connected by walkways. Free entry.

Nanjing Food: What to Eat

• Nanjing Salted Duck (盐水鸭): The city's most famous dish — brined and cooked duck with a pale skin and deeply flavored, fragrant meat. Eaten cold; available at every local deli and market.
• Duck Blood and Vermicelli Soup (鸭血粉丝汤): A Nanjing institution — silky vermicelli and duck blood (much milder than it sounds) in rich duck broth. Perfect breakfast or light lunch.
• Steamed Buns (汤包/小笼包): Nanjing's soup dumplings, called Tangbao, are larger than Shanghai's Xiaolongbao; drink the broth through a straw first.
• Qinhuai River snacks: The riverside food street offers Eight Absolute Dishes (秦淮八绝) — traditional Nanjing snacks including sesame cakes, fried spring rolls, and red bean soup.

Getting Around Nanjing

• Metro: 11 lines cover the city. Line 2 reaches the Purple Mountain area; Line 1 connects the main train stations.
• From Shanghai: High-speed rail from Shanghai Hongqiao takes 1 hour (¥140–175).
• Cable car: Purple Mountain has a cable car to reduce hiking — useful for the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum summit area.
• Bike share: Excellent for exploring the lake and riverside areas.

Best Time to Visit

Autumn (October–November) is outstanding — the maple and ginkgo trees on Purple Mountain turn spectacular colors, and temperatures are ideal (15–22°C). Spring brings cherry blossoms in March–April. Summers are very hot (Nanjing is one of China's "Four Furnace" cities, regularly hitting 40°C). Winters are cold but manageable.