Nanjing, Jiangsu's capital, is known as the ancient capital of six dynasties and is central to modern Chinese history. Start at Nanjing Museum, then visit the Ming Xiaoling and Sun Yat-sen mausoleums for different eras of architecture and memory. The Ming city wall and Xuanwu Lake reward walking, while the Fuzimiao and Qinhuai River area offers evening scenery and local duck dishes.
The best of Nanjing
Xuanwu DistrictAbout 3 hoursFree entry
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Sun Yat-sen helped lead the revolution that ended imperial rule and established a republic. He was buried on Nanjing's Purple Mountain in 1929. Architect Lü Yanzhi arranged blue roofs, pale walls and long stairs up the hillside to the memorial hall. Sun's calligraphy on the entrance gate proclaims a world shared by all. The approach adapts the axial layout of an imperial mausoleum to commemorate a founder of the republic. As you climb, Nanjing gradually comes into view behind you.
BookingThe mausoleum requires a free real-name reservation and entry during the booked slot, via the official Nanjing Zhongshan Scenic Area or Mausoleum Ticketing WeChat accounts, or on-site ID booking kiosks.
Admission
Reserved visit to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. Nearby Ming Xiaoling, Linggu, the Music Stage and Meiling Palace sell separate tickets and are outside this free-admission scope.
Qinhuai DistrictAbout 2 hours
Nanjing Fuzimiao
Confucius Temple, its associated school and the nearby Jiangnan Examination Hall brought scholars, candidates and traders to the Qinhuai riverfront. Examination cells preserve the confined spaces of the imperial tests, while temple buildings reflect Confucian ritual. Food and lodging businesses served those activities. Lanterns, boats and snacks animate the district today, with the older relationship between education, examinations and commerce still legible in neighboring buildings.
Location
53 Gongyuan West Street, Qinhuai District, Nanjing, Jiangsu (directory address for the Fuzimiao–Qinhuai scenic area)
Admission
The government's 2026 free-entry-day list treats individual venues separately; the precinct, temple halls, museums and boats are not one admission product.
Xuanwu DistrictAbout 3 hoursFree entry
Xuanwu Lake
Xuanwu Lake lies between Nanjing's city wall and Purple Mountain. It served naval purposes during the Southern Dynasties, and Ming repositories on its islands stored empire-wide household and taxation registers. Connected islands, causeways and bridges now form a public park with lotus beds and waterbirds. Walking beside the wall reveals a lake that changed from a tightly controlled official space into an everyday urban landscape.
The lakeside road is open 24 hours year-round; the five islands and Lovers' Garden open 06:00–22:00 April–October and 06:00–21:00 November–March. Indoor galleries have separate hours.
Admission
Public grounds of Xuanwu Lake Park. Free access excludes boat rides, sightseeing transport and separately charged activities. The website also lists closures for Lingzhou Ecological Park and Houhu Yinyue Pier.
What to eat
Nanjing salted duck
Nanjing loves duck, and salted duck is its classic. The bird is cured with salt and Sichuan pepper, then gently poached, giving pale skin and tender, savoury meat. Duck made around osmanthus season in autumn is prized as the finest.
Duck blood vermicelli soup
Duck blood soup combines glass noodles, duck blood, intestine, liver and gizzard in rich duck broth, finished with coriander and chilli oil to taste. In Nanjing it often comes with soup dumplings or pot stickers.
Arrive, explore, settle in
Arriving
Lukou is the airport gateway. Check onward transport from your rail station and choose a base around your priority: the old city, Xuanwu Lake or Zhongshan.
Getting around
Use the metro across town and walk Qinhuai and Xuanwu Lake in sections. Zhongshan is a substantial separate area: choose your main visits rather than trying to cover everything.
Where to stay
Xinjiekou suits transport and city amenities; Fuzimiao suits Qinhuai evenings; Xuanwu Lake suits park walks. Choose the district around how you want to spend your evenings.
Combine Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling around reservations and energy, allowing for transport and walking within the area.
Route 2
Qinhuai old city
Explore Fuzimiao and the Qinhuai River toward evening, adding some Laomendong lanes with time for a seated meal.
Route 3
Lake and museum
Choose a Xuanwu Lake and city-wall walk. Reserve the Nanjing Museum separately for deeper history, balancing long outdoor walks with gallery time.
More planning advice
The mausoleum rises up the hillside, with long stairs forming part of the visit. Allow a pace suited to your companions and check official booking arrangements once you have a date.
The Fuzimiao area includes riverfront streets and individual venues such as Dacheng Hall and the imperial examination museum. Choose the buildings and exhibitions that interest you, then check their entry information separately.
At Xuanwu Lake, choose a walk along the city-wall shore or across the connected islands. If you add exhibitions, leisure facilities or a boat trip, check those individual operations separately.
Good to know
How many days do I need in Nanjing?
Allow 3–4 days, excluding intercity travel. Leave room for journeys, queues and meals.
When should I visit Nanjing?
Suggested months: Mar · Apr · May · Sep · Oct · Nov. Check weather, holidays and opening arrangements for your actual dates.
Which sights need advance booking?
Read each sight’s booking note and check official information before fixing your dates. Foreign passport booking channels may differ. Booking with a foreign passport →
Make Nanjing your own
Put your favourite places on the map, then decide how to spend each day.
