Things to do & places to visit in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

Nanjing city in Jiangsu, China. Timezone: Asia/Shanghai, current date and time: Wednesday, May 08, 2024, 15:16.

Nanjing Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

82°F - 61°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Mildly cool with a gentle breeze

Feels like

32%

Chance of rain

200.0 millimeters

Amount

12.9 mph

Wind speed

64%

Humidity

13.8

Daylight length

5:08 AM

Sunrise

6:54 PM

Sunset

44%

Cloud cover

T-shirt

What to wear

Top things to do (19)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

4.5 Sun Yatsen Mausoleum (Zhongshan Ling) (1.696 reviews)
- Beautiful mausoleum
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • Cemeteries

We actually hiked all the way from purple mountain peak to this mausoleum; about a 2km hike. Interesting hike. This mausoleum is beautiful. No photography allowed inside the mausoleum but you can capture a pic or 2 from the outside of the main entrance, guards are ok with that! Saw a man flying his drone in the garden beside the mausoleum too. There’s drink/snack stalls everywhere and one by the mausoleum too so dont worry if you need a drink. See more..
4.5 The Memorial of the Nanjing Massacre (1.077 reviews)
- Important exhibit on Nanjing history
Historic Sites • History Museums

The exhibit is huge, with lots of information about the history at the time and events leading up to the Nanjing massacre. Highly recommend visiting to learn about the history of Nanjing. It was easy to get in - the guides were very helpful and helped us reserve a time slot etc on the Chinese app. See more..
4.5 Presidential palace of Nanjing (804 reviews)
- Go early.
Wednesday: 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM Speciality Museums

We arrived at 2:30pm on Tuesday 8/04/2020. No more tickets available. This is probably due to Covid-19. We got in on Wednesday by showing up at 9:30am. Americans need their passport and their health code (suikang) to get in. See more..
4.5 Xuanwu lake (676 reviews)
- Great Day on the Lake
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Bodies of Water

There are many places to rent small motor powered boats on the lake for 140 RMB an hour + 500 RMB deposit. The boats can sit four to six people and we thought the ones with the red and green striped sides and the ones with two animal heads to be the fastest. The duck and swan boats are nice because you can have four to five people seated facing each other but the bird head will block your view. The west side was much less busy so we went that way for the views of the wall, Zifeng Tower and Jiming Temple. Quite a few inexperienced boaters when we went so we kept our distance while we watched people play accidental bumper boats. One hour is more than enough time on the lake and do plan your time because the boats are slow! See more..
4.5 Xiaoling Tomb of Ming Dynasty (480 reviews)
- Unesco World Heritage Site
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Historic Walking Areas • Cemeteries

There is a lot to see and explore on Purple Mountain (Sun Yat Sen Memorial etc.) and this tomb while UNESCO Site fairly common if you have been to other temples. Well maintained, peaceful and not busy when we were there. You learn about the cultural significance and background and I recommend to spend at least half a day exploring the entire area. Well worth it! See more..
4.5 Nanjing City Wall (Ming City Wall) (476 reviews)
- Impressive architecture and piece of history
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites

Comparable to Xi'ian City Wall, we were amazed by the architecture and history of the place. Went for a long walk in both directions and also visited the City Wall Museum nearby. Great way to spend a morning or afternoon in Nanjing. See more..
4.5 XuanWu Park (394 reviews)
- Good Time on the Lake
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Parks

The entrance near Metro station Jimingsi is very busy with the Jiming Temple, a good access point to the top of the city wall and the lake area itself. We got in just past the gate and thought the area was fairly crowded and grabbed a boat to go around the lake. Entry to the park area is free but it is very popular. The cost to rent a small motorized boat is 140 RMB/hour. We stuck to the less crowded west side of the lake and were able to get good views of Zifeng Tower, the ancient city wall and the top of Jiming Temple. It was a little hazy while we were in Nanjing but we thoroughly enjoyed our boat ride and would recommend it to friends. There were quite a few inexperienced boaters so we kept our distance and watched a few rounds of bumper boats! Don't worry though they go really slow for the most part! After we finished on the lake we climbed on to the ancient city wall which gave great views of the lake and surrounding area from the high wall. See more..
4.5 Purple Mountain (Zijin Shan) (328 reviews)
- Crowded Park
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Mountains • Parks

We saw the Purple Mountains while on a day tour of Nanjing. It was quite busy the day we visited as it was the last day of the Plum Blossom Festival and many people were taking photos. There were many sites to see, including the mausoleum, which we viewed from the base. The blossoms were beautiful! See more..
4.5 Nanjing Museum (Nanjing Bowuyuan) (322 reviews)
- A fantastic visit!
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM History Museums

Worth the time & efforts to visit the Nanjing Museum. It is free entry for visitors. We went to the first building’s service desk to register / collect some leaflets. There are at least 3 main buildings. They are built separately. Each houses different artifacts & exhibits. Very interesting ones would be the building that housed the dinosaurs, the skeletons of the dead which you can see their social status just by looking at their burial. Their monetary systems, their age of pottery, the ancient warriors & commoners’ attires & sculptures & etc. Another building houses paintings & statues. Wooden carvings were intricate & were detailing life. Security guards were flexible, as long as you do not speak loudly. Cameras are allowed. We had a good 2-hour+ quick walk. At certain levels we couldn’t enter as they were meant only for invited guests. There are many washrooms, pretty clean. It’s a must-go! See more..
4.5 Jiming Temple (280 reviews)
- A small serene bouddhist temple
Wednesday: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites

Visited on a rainy day so not crowded with visitors. The Jiming temple location enjoys a little hight over a section of the ancient city wall and Xianwu lake. It is relatively simple and small. It has a feeling of visiting Chinese temples in the 80's and 90's. Cherry blossom and others have just started in the neighborhood, the scenery and colors should be beautiful to watch by the end of March. See more..
4.5 Zhongshanling Bandstand (191 reviews)
- best place for a picnic.
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

I first heard about this place on CCTV travelogue. So I wanted to have a picnic there for ages. We went on midautmn day so the mountain was packed but entry to the zhongshan ling was free but we still had to pay 10rmb to get into the ampitheatre. it was a really great place to have a picnic it was slighly difficult with the minor slope but not too much of a problem. we went as a couple but it's a great place for friends or families with children. See more..
4.5 Laomendong (115 reviews)
- This is a Great Place!
Historic Walking Areas

We went to Laomen East Pedestrian Street to find a burger place that we found online and when we arrived found that the area is great. It is filled with shops, cafes, restaurants, art and artists, scenic beauty, historic buildings, and is huge. Laomen will require one to spend almost an entire day walking up and down the alleys and streets or several visits. There are plenty of places to eat while there and at least three western restaurants. Getting to the walking street is easy by car or Nanjing Metro. Take Line 3 to Wudingmen Station and go out exit 2. Go right on Madao Street for about 900 meters. Relax, walk, step into and out of shops, have a cup of coffee or tea followed by a meal and have a good day. See more..
4.5 Qi Xia Mountain (71 reviews)
- Better go in November to December
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Mountains • Historic Walking Areas • Forests

It's a famous mountain in Nanjing and about 30km from the city center, you can take bus there from Nanjing Railway Station. There is a very famous temple-Qi Xia Temple beneath the hill, it's more than 1500 years old now, and regarded to be one of the top 4 temple in China. Many visitors come here during Nov.20 to Dec.10 because it's the best time to see red Leaves. See more..
4.5 Qixia Temple (49 reviews)
- A 1500-year-old temple
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Religious Sites

Qixia Temple has a history of 1500 years. It was originally built in 489 AD, during the Southern Dynasties). The original building was destroyed by war. New temple was reconstructed during the Qing Dynasty (around 100 years ago). The temple has some remarkable historical relics: The Sarira Pagoda, a 18 meter high, five story stone octagonal construction, dates back to 945 AD. The Thousand Buddhas Grotto, dates back to 489 AD, is a small scale temple grottoes, comprises over 500 statues of Buddhas .. In the largest shrine, "Three Buddhas Temple", stand three 11-meter high statue of Buddhas. See more..
4.5 Niushoushan Forestal Park (42 reviews)
- Wonderful newly built temple
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 10:30 PM Mountains

Highly recommended - we went during Qingming Festival - which was on the one hand a challenge due to busy roads ahead of the Park (lots of graveyards on the way) but on the other hand we enjoyed the entire stay on site with a lot of sightseeing and hiking - the entire site is really well organized and perfect for families to stroll for a couple of hours - for all Buddhists it is definitely a must even if there is principally no history but it is just overwhelming and stunning ... See more..
4.5 Zhongshan Botanical Garden (41 reviews)
- recommended for bonsai lovers!
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM National Parks

you find a lot of bonsai tress, and if you like to enjoy about the nature, you can go and visit this garden! See more..
4.5 John-Rabe House (29 reviews)
- A True Humanitarian
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM History Museums

The John Rabe House is a genuinely pleasant attraction in the bustling city of Nanjing. The house itself has been renovated and stands out from the buildings surrounding it. For those interested in the Nanjing massacre it is a must-see! John Rabe was an amazing man who risked his life to save those around him. Schindler saved over a 1000 Jews, but Rabe saved over 250,000 Chinese from the Japanese invaders. It is a shame that only so few people have heard of him... See more..
4.5 Site of Nanking University (27 reviews)
- Favourite Uni
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM Universities & Schools

One of the most ancient unis in southern central China! Nanjing University is home to over 20,000 students and to 300+ foreign exchange students! Facilities wise, there are plentiful of surprises there. The main hall is the administration building which handles and manages admissions' related events. All good there! Visited in Nov 2012. See more..
4.5 Techi Plaza (24 reviews)
- Nice place
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Shopping Malls

If you come to Nanjing..it's quite difficult to find someone who can speak English,include in hotel.. Xinjiekou is the intersection station..at first I don't know there was many stores where you could find easily from the station. So if you arrive @Xinjiekou station,don't go upstairs to the ground..but go to exit 7,you can find huge malls..many famous restaurants,deserts,Uniqlo,HnM..there..and if you want go to Fashion lady,just go to exit 12.don't go to the ground level,you will be confused..cause so many tall buildings,and it seems very far..just find in the basement or station level.. See more..
4.0 Confucian Temple Area (Fuzi Miao) (1.277 reviews)
- Great temple and check out the area as well
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

Plenty of other small or big museums nearby, we spent roughly 4 hours in this area. Confucius temple as such great as well, and lots of small shops and restaurants to have a coffee or snack. One of the must see areas in Nanjing. From here, we walked about 20-30 min to the Gate of China (City Wall Museum and access to the actual wall). See more..
4.0 Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge (251 reviews)
- 阿萨德
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Bridges

I enjoyed the bus ride across each morning and the hustling walk each night. I felt as if I was reliving the moments of the Vietnam war when we sent young men into boats without lights, food or elbow room. I could feel the insanity of Vietnam. See more..
4.0 Qin Huai River (245 reviews)
- Loved Walking Around at Night
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Bodies of Water • Neighborhoods

We went in late March 2021 and they had many new light displays set up. It is very busy near the shops and Confucious Temple areas but just past this it is nice. Many boats traverse the river for the displays but we enjoyed just walking around the river area so that we could take our time seeing it all. Most of the area is free to walk around but if you like lanterns and light displays we would recommend checking out Bailuzhou Park nearby. Closest metro is Confucious Temple Station and I would recommend going in the evening. Shops start to close around 9:00 pm and they kept the lights on until around 10:00 pm on a Monday evening when we went. See more..
4.0 Sun Yat-sen Memorial of Nanjing (175 reviews)
- Get ready for a ling hike/walk
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Architectural Buildings

beautiful place to visit in Nanjing. try not to visit on public holiday otherwise its waste of time. be ready for long walk and hike.. See more..
4.0 Zhonghua Gate (Zhonghuamen Castle) (173 reviews)
- Grand and impressive
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM Architectural Buildings

Costs 50 RMB per person to get in, but it is worth it. You can go on top of the gate and walk along the city wall for quite a distance of you want to. There is also a nice little street on old-style houses just to the North-East side of the gate which is worth a 10-minute walk around. I got here by going to Zhonghuamen （中华门）metro station on line 1, took exit 1, walked North until I had crossed the river, then it is just on the right. Takes 10-15 minutes to walk there from the metro. Yuhuatai （雨花台）is also close by, so you could combine a visit to both of these. See more..
4.0 Yu Hua Tai (156 reviews)
- Sprawling Garden
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Walking Areas • Parks

The garden is usually entered via the north gate or south gate. There are trams that make a round with few stops along the way for rmb12. Well worthed a round to spot where u want to focus on later if u dont want to tire yourself out walking to everywhere. I like the stretch from Qianlong tablet to the Yuhuage temple. I realise after visiting a few more attractions in Nanjing that gift shops in Yuhuatai are cheapest. You can easily get stone pendants for rmb10. Too bad for me since im not going back there in this trip. See more..
4.0 Zhanyuan Garden (80 reviews)
- maze of small ponds, intricately carved caves and picturesque buildings littered with exotic plants
Wednesday: 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM Gardens

Delightful classical Chinese garden in the heart of the Fuzi Miao area of Nanjing. Among the gardens of South China, the Zhan Yuan Garden is a little mini with nearly half of it rockery. As you walk through the carefully designed gardens there are 18 different scenes to delight in: long bamboo, green woods, garden hills, ponds and waterfalls, strange stones and so on. Meandering paths lead you to different parts of the garden and you never know what you will see around the next bend. Exquisite scenes and beauty surround you and leave you unaware of the city outside the walls. In fact you feel like you are in a painting - well worth a visit. See more..
4.0 Nanjing City Museum (74 reviews)
- Wow
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Speciality Museums

The museum has recently been moved to a palace, and is very well laid out. The exhibits are of good quality and well marked. Definitely worth the time! See more..
4.0 Yuejiang Tower (72 reviews)
- Beautiful Tower for Viewing the Yangtze River
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Walking Areas

The construction of the tower was completed in 2001, so it is a modern building with traditional Ming style. The top floor of the tower is the best spot in Nanjing for viewing the Yangtze River. Highly recommend. See more..
4.0 Línggu Sì (59 reviews)
- Linggu si
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

Beautiful Linggu Temple in the purple mountain area. Famous vegetarian restaurant that serves only one item . Vegetable noodle soup with or without boiled egg See more..
4.0 Meiling Palace (49 reviews)
- Meiling Palace (Zhongshan Mountain (Soong May-ling )) 美齡宮
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

Meiling Palace (Zhongshan Mountain (Soong May-ling )) 美齡宮 Beautiful former residence in Zhongshan Mountain, Nanjing. Soong May-ling is an important historical figure with a fascinating family. See more..