Nanjing travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Yunjin brocade scarves, bookmarks and small bags
Price: ¥50-800 (~$7-119)
Where: Fuzimiao Shopping Street; Xinjiekou department stores
Yuhua tea and Jiangsu green teas such as Biluochun
Price: ¥50-600 (~$7-90)
Where: Fuzimiao and Laomendong tea shops; Xinjiekou department stores
Vacuum-packed Nanjing salted duck (Yanshui ya)
Price: ¥30-120 (~$4-18)
Where: Dedicated salted-duck shops around Fuzimiao and Hunan Road; check airline and customs rules on packed meat
Jinling folding fans, paper lanterns and Yuhua pebbles
Price: ¥20-300 (~$3-45)
Where: Fuzimiao souvenir stalls; Laomendong craft shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Fuzimiao (Confucius Temple) Shopping Street
Souvenir shops, silk fans, Yunjin brocade items and snack stalls beside the Qinhuai River
Where: Qinhuai District, Nanjing
Hours: Street always open; shops generally 10:00-22:00 daily
Laomendong Historic Area
Restored Ming-Qing style lanes with craft shops, tea houses, cafes and snack vendors
Where: Qinhuai District, Nanjing
Hours: Street always open; shops and cafes generally 10:00-22:00 daily
Hunan Road Pedestrian Street
Pedestrian shopping street with mid-range clothing, snack stalls and the adjacent Lion Bridge food street
Where: Gulou District, Nanjing
Hours: Street always open; shops 10:00-22:00; food stalls until late
Xinjiekou Shopping District
Central retail core with department stores, international brands and underground arcades linked to Xinjiekou Metro (Lines 1 and 2)
Where: Xuanwu and Gulou Districts, Nanjing
Hours: Shops generally 10:00-22:00 daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Xinjiekou corridor
Best for: Department stores, international brands, cosmetics and electronics around the Xinjiekou roundabout
Fuzimiao and Laomendong
Best for: Souvenirs, tea, silk fans, tea houses and snacks in restored Ming-Qing style lanes
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Nanjing Deji Plaza
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Nanjing Central Emporium
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Golden Eagle World Xinjiekou (Jinying Shijie)
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Fixed prices apply at department stores such as Deji Plaza, Central Emporium and Golden Eagle; bargaining is not accepted there
Bargaining is normal at Fuzimiao souvenir stalls: start at about 40-50% of the asking price and walk away politely if the seller will not move
Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted almost everywhere; some stalls will not take foreign cards, so keep ¥200-300 (~$30-45) in cash
Beware of 'art student' and 'tea tasting' invitations near Fuzimiao, which end in inflated bills; buy tea from fixed-price shops with visible price tags
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Overseas visitors can claim a departure tax refund at participating stores displaying the 'Tax Refund' logo when a single receipt meets the store's minimum (commonly ¥200, ~$30); bring the passport and check the current rules at the store
- Antiques over 100 years old need an export permit and official seal; buy only from licensed shops and keep receipts
- Meat and plant products may be restricted by the home country's customs; check rules before packing salted duck