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Day trips from Nanjing

Best Day Trips from Nanjing 2026

Escape the city with the best day trips from Nanjing.

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Nanjing has 8+ day trips covered in this guide, led by Yangzhou and Slender West Lake, Zhenjiang: Jinshan Temple and Xijin Ferry and Suzhou Classical Gardens. Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Nanjing travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

Top day trips

Handpicked excursions within easy reach.

About 100 km (62 miles) northeast of Nanjing

Yangzhou and Slender West Lake

Coach from Nanjing East or Zhongyangmen bus stations to Yangzhou (about 1.5-2 hours), then a taxi or bus to the lake. Check current timetables on Trip.com or at the station counter before travelling.

Highlights: Five Pavilion Bridge, a Qing-era landmark with fifteen arched openings · White Pagoda and Lotus Bridge along the willow-lined lake shore · Huaiyang cuisine at a traditional Yangzhou tea house · Ge Garden and the Dongguan Street historic quarter · Boat ride along the narrow lake waterway
About 70 km (43 miles) east of Nanjing

Zhenjiang: Jinshan Temple and Xijin Ferry

High-speed train from Nanjing South Railway Station to Zhenjiang Railway Station (25-40 minutes), then a taxi, Didi or city bus to Jinshan Park (about 20-30 minutes).

Highlights: Cishou Pagoda and hillside halls of Jinshan Temple · The White Snake legend and Fahai Cave · Xijin Ferry ancient street with Song-to-Ming stone paving · Zhenjiang black vinegar and pot-lid noodles · Views of the Yangtze plain from the summit
About 215 km (134 miles) southeast of Nanjing

Suzhou Classical Gardens

5-7 hoursG-series train from Nanjing South Railway Station to Suzhou Railway Station (about 1 hour), then metro Line 4 or a short taxi ride to the garden district.

Highlights: Humble Administrator's Garden, the largest classical garden in Suzhou · Suzhou Museum designed by I.M. Pei · Lion Grove Garden and its rockery maze · Pingjiang Road canal-side historic street · Local specialities such as crab-roe noodles and squirrel-shaped fish
About 185 km (115 miles) southeast of Nanjing

Wuxi: Lingshan Grand Buddha and Taihu Lake

5-7 hoursHigh-speed train from Nanjing South Railway Station to Wuxi Station or Wuxi East (about 50-60 minutes), then a taxi or Didi to Lingshan Scenic Area (about 40-60 minutes).

Highlights: Lingshan Grand Buddha, a bronze statue about 88 metres tall · Brahma Palace with gilded Buddhist art · Scheduled performances including the Nine Dragons show · Yuantouzhu park on the shore of Taihu Lake · Wuxi specialities such as sweet braised spare ribs and soup buns
About 130 km (81 miles) east of Nanjing

Changzhou: China Dinosaur Park

High-speed train from Nanjing South Railway Station to Changzhou North or Changzhou Station (about 45-55 minutes), then a taxi or Didi to the park (about 30 minutes).

Highlights: Dinosaur museum with fossil and model exhibits · Jurassic-themed rides and walk-through zones · Live shows and water attractions in warm months · Family-friendly theme-park atmosphere · Changzhou noodles and sesame cakes in the city
About 270 km (168 miles) southeast of Nanjing

Hangzhou West Lake

G-series train from Nanjing South Railway Station to Hangzhou East or Hangzhou Station (about 1 hour 15 minutes-1 hour 45 minutes), then metro or a taxi to the lakeside.

Highlights: Su Causeway and Bai Causeway walks · Three Pools Mirroring the Moon on Xiaoyingzhou island · Leifeng Pagoda and the Broken Bridge · Longjing tea villages in the nearby hills · Hangzhou specialities such as Dongpo pork and West Lake fish
About 250 km (155 miles) southeast of Nanjing

Zhouzhuang Water Town

3-4 hoursHigh-speed train from Nanjing South Railway Station to Kunshan South Station (about 1 hour 15 minutes), then a taxi, Didi or a local bus to the old town (about 40 minutes).

Highlights: Twin Bridges, a famous pair of connected stone bridges · Rowing boat ride along the canals · Shen's House, a Ming-era merchant residence · Lantern-lit lanes in the evening · Wanshan braised pork knuckle and river shrimp
About 70 km (43 miles) southeast of Nanjing

Maoshan Taoist Mountain (Jurong)

Coach from Nanjing East bus station toward Jurong, then a local taxi to the Maoshan scenic entrance; no direct public transport reaches the mountain, so a chartered car round trip is the most predictable option.

Highlights: Jiuxiao Wangong Palace, a major Taoist temple complex · Yuanfu Wanning Palace and other mountain shrines · Birthplace of the Shangqing school of Taoism · Mountain viewpoints and forested walking paths · Memorial to the New Fourth Army's Jiangsu base

Trips by distance

How far you can go in a day.

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Getting there

Transport options for day trips.

Multi-day tours from Nanjing

If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.

Browse multi-day tours from Nanjing

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Day trip tips

Make the most of your excursions.

Tip

Zhenjiang and Yangzhou can be combined in one long day, but Suzhou, Wuxi and Hangzhou each deserve a full day

Tip

Book high-speed train tickets on 12306 or Trip.com at least a day ahead during Chinese public holidays such as Golden Week (1-7 October) and the May Day break

Tip

Suzhou gardens and Slender West Lake charge separate admissions and get very crowded on weekends and public holidays; arrive at opening time

Tip

Bring the original passport; it is required to buy train tickets and to enter many attractions

Tip

Nanjing South is a large station: allow 60 minutes before departure for the security check, ticket gate and platform

Tip

Hangzhou and Suzhou are feasible as day trips, but book a return train you can realistically make; confirm the last departures to Nanjing on 12306

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