Nanjing travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Nanjing.
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1
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Tip: Reserve a free real-name ticket with a passport through the WeChat mini-program before arriving · Arrive at opening on a weekday to climb the stairway before tour groups · Bring a passport, as it is checked at the gate against the booking · Allow extra time to combine with the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum nearby · Wear comfortable shoes and carry water for the long climb · Check the closing day, as the site is shut on Mondays except national holidays
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2
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
Tip: Start at opening to walk the Sacred Way with few other visitors · Consider an audio guide or local guide to explain the statue symbolism · Carry student or senior ID to claim the half-price ticket · Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the full route is several kilometres · Time a visit for late October or November for the best foliage · Combine with Linggu Temple, which is nearby within the scenic area
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3
Nanjing City Wall at Zhonghua Gate
Tip: Visit in late afternoon for cooler air and warm light on the brick · Avoid midday in summer, as the rampart offers little shade · Look closely at the wall bricks for the inscribed county and kiln names · Pair the visit with Laomendong or the Confucius Temple for the evening · Wear grippy shoes, as ramps and stairs can be steep and worn · Consider a local guide to explain the defensive mechanisms
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4
Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) and Qinhuai River
Tip: Arrive before sunset to see the district transition into lantern light · Book a river boat in the evening for the best views, but expect queues on weekends · Eat a block or two away from the main strip for lower prices · Visit the temple compound in the morning for quieter courtyards · Avoid the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival evenings if crowds are a concern · Keep valuables secure in crowded pedestrian streets
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5
Presidential Palace (Nanjing Presidential Palace and China Modern History Museum)
Tip: Arrive at opening on a weekday for quiet courtyards · Spend time in Xihua Garden at the rear, which many visitors skip · Bring student or senior ID for half-price tickets · Note that the last entry is 4:30 PM and Mondays are closed · Consider a guide, as most captions are in Chinese · Combine with Xinjiekou or Confucius Temple in the same day
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6
Nanjing Museum
Tip: Reserve a free ticket 1-7 days ahead with a passport through the WeChat mini-program · Arrive at opening on a weekday to avoid tour groups · Rent an audio guide to navigate the many galleries · Prioritise the Historical Gallery and Republic of China Gallery if short on time · Note that Mondays are closed except national holidays · Check whether special exhibitions require a separate ticket
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7
Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders
Tip: Book a free ticket through the WeChat mini-program and bring a passport · Visit on a weekday morning for a quieter, more reflective experience · Dress modestly and keep voices low as a mark of respect · Avoid 13 December if large crowds and ceremonies are unwanted · Allow time for the peace park after the exhibitions · Note that the memorial is closed on Mondays except national holidays
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8
Xuanwu Lake Park
Tip: Visit early morning to see locals exercising and to avoid crowds · Rent a bicycle near the entrances to cover the perimeter · Bring sun protection and water, as shade is limited in places · Check island and boat opening times in winter · Combine with Jiming Temple and the adjacent city wall · Weekends and holidays are busiest, so choose weekdays where possible
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9
Linggu Scenic Area (Linggu Temple and Beamless Hall)
Tip: Take the scenic bus or a taxi from Xiamafang Station rather than walking · Visit in November for the best autumn colours, and go on a weekday · Check whether the pagoda climb needs an extra ticket · Combine with the Ming Xiaoling and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleums for a full day · Carry student or senior ID for half-price entry · Wear comfortable shoes for stairs and paths
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10
Jiming Temple
Tip: Visit late March to April for cherry blossoms, on a weekday if possible · Dress modestly and be respectful of worshippers · Ask permission before photographing people praying · Combine with the Ming wall and Xuanwu Lake Park · Try the temple's vegetarian noodles · Arrive early to avoid blossom-season crowds
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Historic
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
UNESCO-listed tomb of the Hongwu Emperor at Purple Mountain, with the Sacred Way of stone animals
Nanjing City Wall at Zhonghua Gate
Largest surviving Ming city gate in China, with a walkable wall top
Presidential Palace
Former Qing and Republic-era government compound and modern history museum on Changjiang Road
Laomendong Historic Quarter
Restored Ming-Qing lanes with courtyard shops and restaurants south of Confucius Temple
Museum
Nanjing Museum
One of China's largest museums, with jade, porcelain and Ming-Qing art on Zhongshan East Road
Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre
Memorial and museum at Jiangdongmen documenting the 1937 atrocities
Religious
Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao)
Temple complex and Qinhuai River pedestrian district lit at night
Linggu Temple and Beamless Hall
Ming-era brick hall and pagoda within the Purple Mountain area
Jiming Temple
Buddhist temple on Jiming Hill with views over Xuanwu Lake
Qixia Temple
Buddhist temple in the Qixia hills, known for autumn maple foliage
Nature
Xuanwu Lake Park
Large lake park beside the old city wall with islands, causeways and cycling paths
Mochou Lake Park
Lakeside park in Jianye District with Ming-style pavilions and a lotus pond
Zhan Garden (Zhanyuan)
Classical Ming garden with rockeries, pavilions and ponds in the Fuzimiao area
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most museums and memorials open Tue-Sun 9:00 AM-5:00 PM and close Mondays; parks, lakes and the Qinhuai riverside are open daily from early morning until late evening.
- Fees
- Zhonghua Gate wall ¥50 (~$7.46), Ming Xiaoling ¥70 (~$10.45), Presidential Palace ¥40 (~$5.97), Jiming Temple ¥10 (~$1.49), Zhan Garden ¥30 (~$4.48); Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing Museum and the Massacre Memorial are free with reservation.
- Best Times
- Spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November) for mild weather and foliage; summer is hot and humid, so schedule Zhongshan Scenic Area visits for early morning.
- Booking
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing Museum and the Massacre Memorial require a real-name reservation with passport through each site's WeChat mini-program; other sites sell tickets at the gate or on Trip.com and Klook.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Carry a passport for every ticketed site because most Nanjing attractions use real-name ID-linked ticketing.
Book Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Nanjing Museum 1-7 days ahead; both cap daily entries and can sell out on weekends and Golden Week.
Museums and the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum are closed on Mondays except national holidays, so plan the Zhongshan and museum days for Tuesday to Sunday.
Install Alipay or WeChat Pay and Amap or Baidu Maps before arriving; the Nanjing Metro accepts Alipay and WeChat ride codes and reaches most central sights.
Zhongshan Scenic Area covers many sites over a large area; combine Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling and Linggu in one day and use the scenic shuttle between them.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Nanjing attractions?
March-May and October-November bring mild weather, cherry blossoms and autumn foliage, while July-August is hot and humid.
Which Nanjing attractions are free?
The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing Museum and the Nanjing Massacre Memorial are free but need a passport-based reservation; Xuanwu Lake Park and Laomendong are free without booking.
Do foreign visitors need reservations for Nanjing attractions?
Yes for the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing Museum and the Massacre Memorial; reserve on each site's WeChat mini-program using a passport number.