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南京 · Travel Guide
Nanjing for foreigners
Six Dynasties capital, Sun Yat-sen's tomb, and the Confucian heartland of eastern China.
Nanjing (南京, 'Southern Capital') was the capital of 6 Chinese dynasties and the Republic of China under Sun Yat-sen (1927-1949). The city sits on the south bank of the Yangtze River, 300 km west of Shanghai, and is one of China's four great ancient capitals (along with Beijing, Xi'an, and Luoyang). Population 9.3 million. The city's layered history — from the Ming dynasty walls to the Republic-era Sun Yat-sen mausoleum, to the 1937 Nanjing Massacre memorial — makes it culturally one of the richest cities in China. The reason foreign travelers come: the Nanjing City Wall (the world's longest city wall at 33 km, Ming dynasty), the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River night scene, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on Purple Mountain, the Ming Xiaoling Tomb (the first Ming emperor), and the sobering but important Nanjing Massacre Memorial. Add a few days for the Purple Mountain area and a day trip to the Yangtze River bridge.
Top things to do in Nanjing
The must-see places locals will tell you are unmissable, with photos and a direct link to the in-depth guide for each.
Nanjing Confucius Temple (夫子庙) + Qinhuai River
A 1,000-year-old temple complex on the Qinhuai River, with the iconic red-lantern night scene. Free entry to the temple area; the night boat cruise (¥80) is the highlight. Allow 2-3 hours for evening visit.
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Nanjing City Wall (明城墙)
The 33-km Ming dynasty wall, the longest in the world. The Zhonghua Gate (中华门) is the most-photographed section — a multi-layered fortress with 4 layers of walls and 27 hidden soldier chambers. ¥50 entry; allow 2 hours.
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Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (中山陵)
On Purple Mountain, the tomb of Sun Yat-sen (founder of the Republic of China) — 392 steps climbing the slope, with a panoramic view of Nanjing from the top. Free entry; allow 2-3 hours. Combine with Ming Xiaoling Tomb (¥70) for a full day on Purple Mountain.
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Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall (侵华日军南京大屠杀遇难同胞纪念馆)
A somber, important memorial to the 300,000 Chinese killed by Japanese forces in 1937. Free entry, but the visit is emotionally heavy. Allow 2-3 hours. Closed Monday. Photography is restricted in most areas.
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Ming Xiaoling Tomb (明孝陵)
The tomb of the Hongwu Emperor (founder of the Ming dynasty) — the entire 180-hectare site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ¥70 entry; the Sacred Way lined with stone animals is the highlight. Allow 2-3 hours.
Read full guide →Where to stay in Nanjing
We only list hotels that accept foreign guests and accept international credit cards.
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Hotels from $35/night · HSR from $7 · Tours from $5
Search Nanjing on Trip.com →When to visit Nanjing
March-May and September-November. April for the spring cherry blossoms at Nanjing University. Avoid Chinese National Day (Oct 1-7) and the December 13 Massacre anniversary (extremely crowded at the memorial). Summer is hot and humid (35°C+).
FAQ
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Do I need a visa for Nanjing?
Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) has direct flights from most major Asian cities and connecting flights from Europe. 55 nationalities can transit visa-free for 240 hours; otherwise apply for an L-visa. Nanjing is also on the HSR network — 1.5 hours from Shanghai, 3 hours from Hangzhou. -
How long should I spend in Nanjing?
2-3 nights covers the main sights. Day 1: Confucius Temple + Qinhuai River evening. Day 2: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum + Ming Xiaoling on Purple Mountain. Day 3: City Wall + Nanjing Massacre Memorial. The city is also a great base for a 1-day side trip to Yangzhou (1 hour HSR) for the famous Slender West Lake. -
Is the Nanjing Massacre Memorial worth visiting?
Yes — it's a difficult but important visit. The museum is well-curated, restrained, and emotionally powerful. The site includes excavated mass graves, an archive of survivor testimonies, and the names of identified victims. Most foreign visitors find it one of the most memorable experiences in China. Photography is restricted in the most sensitive areas; be respectful. -
How does Nanjing compare to Beijing or Shanghai?
Nanjing is smaller and less developed than Shanghai (4-hour HSR away), but with more historical depth. It has fewer international brand hotels and is significantly cheaper. The pace is slower and the food is more traditional. Most visitors pair Nanjing with a Suzhou-Hangzhou-Shanghai tour, or as a 2-3 day stop on a longer Eastern China itinerary. -
What food is Nanjing famous for?
Nanjing's signature dish is 'salted duck' (盐水鸭) — the city is the duck capital of China. Also try the soup dumplings (小笼包), duck blood and vermicelli soup (鸭血粉丝汤), and the sweet osmanthus rice cake (桂花糕). The Confucius Temple food street is the most convenient place to try all of these in one evening.
Need help in China?
12 bilingual phrase cards for emergencies. Show the Chinese to locals, read the English for context.
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