Nanjing
One of China's four great ancient capitals, with a poignant modern history. A city of grand Ming dynasty monuments, peaceful lakes, and tree-lined boulevards.
Key Facts for Tourists
- Visa
- 50 countries visa-free (30 days)
- Best time
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Safety
- Very safe
- Language
- English limited
- Currency
- CNY (RMB)
- Emergency
- 110 / 120 / 119
Nanjing at a Glance
Key facts for planning your trip — sources: official | verified
🛂 Entry & Visa
- Visa-free: 50 countries — 30 days (NIA, 2026)
- Transit visa-free: 240 hours (10 days) — via NKG airport
- Airport: Nanjing Lukou (NKG) — metro line S1 to city
- HSR access: Shanghai → Nanjing South: 1 hour!
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
- ✅ Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov (mild, low humidity)
- ⚠️ Ok: Jun–Aug (hot, 35°C+) / Dec–Feb (cold, 0-8°C, damp)
- Cherry blossoms: Mar–Apr at Jiming Temple
- Peak tourist season: Oct (Golden Week), cherry blossom season
🚇 Getting Around
- Metro: 7 lines covering major attractions — tickets ¥2-10
- Taxi/DiDi: DiDi app has English version — widely available
- Airport to city: Metro line S1 (~1hr) or taxi (~40 min)
- HSR: Nanjing South — Shanghai (1h), Beijing (3.5h)
💰 Money & Payments
- Currency: CNY (RMB) — ¥1 ≈ $0.14 USD (2026 rate)
- Cards accepted: Limited — most places use WeChat Pay/Alipay
- ATMs: Accept Visa/Mastercard at major banks (ICBC, Bank of China)
- Cash needed: ¥200-500 for backup (street food, small shops)
Must-Do Before You Arrive
3 things to set up before landing — skip these and you'll struggle
Install a VPN before you leave home
Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, ChatGPT — all blocked in China. Any VPN must be installed and tested BEFORE arriving in China. It will not work if you install it after arrival.
📖 VPN Setup Guide →Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay
Nanjing runs on QR code payments. Since July 2023, foreigners can link international Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover cards. It takes 5 minutes and saves you from carrying cash everywhere.
Get mobile data (eSIM or airport SIM)
You need a Chinese phone number for WeChat, DiDi, and food delivery. Two options: buy an eSIM before departure (Airalo, Holafly) or buy a physical SIM at NKG airport on arrival. Passport required.
Top Attractions in Nanjing
The must-sees for first-time visitors
Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River (夫子庙-秦淮河)
Historic temple + lively pedestrian street + river cruise. Best at night with lanterns. Metro: Confucius Temple (Line 3).
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (中山陵)
Massive memorial on Purple Mountain. 392 steps. Free entry. Metro: Xiaolingwei Station (Line 2) + bus. Allow 2-3 hours.
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (明孝陵)
First Ming emperor's tomb, UNESCO site. Beautiful Sacred Way lined with stone animals. Near Sun Yat-sen on Purple Mountain.
Nanjing Massacre Memorial (侵华日军南京大屠杀遇难同胞纪念馆)
Powerful, somber museum about the 1937 massacre. Free entry, passport required. Allow 2 hours. Metro: Yunjin Road (Line 2).
Jiming Temple (鸡鸣寺)
Ancient Buddhist temple, famous for cherry blossoms in March-April. Near Xuanwu Lake. Great photo spot in spring.
Xuanwu Lake (玄武湖)
Large city park with lake. Free. Rent a paddle boat or walk the causeways. Great for sunset views.
Food in Nanjing
What to eat and where to find it
Must-Try Local Dishes
- Nanjing Salted Duck (南京盐水鸭) — THE iconic Nanjing dish. Eat cold. Find at local restaurants and specialty shops
- Duck Blood Soup (鸭血粉丝汤) — Noodle soup with duck blood, tofu, and vermicelli. A local staple
- Tangbao (汤包) — Soup dumplings, Nanjing style is different from Shanghai's. Juicy and delicious
- Xiaolongbao (小笼包) — Also excellent in Nanjing. Found at most dumpling houses
Eating Tips for Tourists
- 🏮 Confucius Temple area — Many food stalls and local restaurants. Best place for a food crawl
- 🚢 Qinhuai River night cruise + dinner — A classic Nanjing evening experience
- 🌶️ Spice level — Nanjing food is less spicy than Sichuan/Hunan food. "Not spicy" = 不辣 (bù là)
- 🥢 Chopsticks only — Most restaurants don't provide forks. Practice beforehand or ask for 叉子 (chāzi)
Where to Stay in Nanjing
Recommended areas for different travel styles
Confucius Temple Area
Best for tourists. Lively night market, central location, easy access to Qinhuai River cruise. Wide range of hotels. Metro Line 3.
Xinjiekou
CBD area. Best shopping, restaurants, and metro hub (Lines 1/2). Central and well-connected. Slightly more modern feel.
Purple Mountain Area
Quieter, scenic area near Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling. Best for nature lovers. Further from nightlife.
Internet & Phone for Tourists
Real talk about getting online in Nanjing
🛜 Hotel WiFi
Most hotels in Nanjing offer free WiFi. International chain hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton) usually have faster, more reliable connections. Some hotels block certain websites — a VPN is still recommended.
📱 Mobile Data
Option A: Buy an eSIM from Airalo or Holafly before departure (cheaper, instant activation). Option B: Buy a physical SIM at NKG airport arrival hall (China Mobile or China Unicom kiosks). Passport required for both.
Compare eSIM options →🔒 VPN
If you need Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook — you MUST install a VPN before departure. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are commonly used. Note that VPN reliability fluctuates; some periods (around major political meetings) are worse than others.
VPN guide →Emergency Info
Save these numbers — they work from any phone, even without a SIM
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
A realistic first-timer's plan — not rushed, covers the highlights
Arrive Nanjing (1hr HSR from Shanghai) → Check into hotel → Evening walk at Confucius Temple → Qinhuai River night cruise + dinner
Morning: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum → Afternoon: Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (Sacred Way) → Late afternoon: Jiming Temple → Evening: Xuanwu Lake sunset walk
Morning: Nanjing Massacre Memorial → Lunch: Nanjing salted duck → Afternoon: Depart or return to Shanghai via HSR
Compare Chinese Cities for Tourists
Which city is right for your trip?
| Dimension | Nanjing | Beijing | Chengdu | Guangzhou |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Ancient capitals, history, cherry blossoms | History, Great Wall, culture | Food, pandas, laid-back vibe | Cantonese food, trade, warmth |
| English Level | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Top Attractions | Confucius Temple, Sun Yat-sen, Ming Xiaoling | Forbidden City, Great Wall | Pandas, Jinli, hot pot | Canton Tower, dim sum |
| 3-Day Budget (est.) | $120-250 | $200-400 | $150-300 | $150-300 |
| Ease for Tourists | Easy | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Best Season | Mar-May, Sep-Nov | Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct | Mar-Jun, Sep-Oct | Oct-Dec, Mar-May |
Budget estimates are rough ranges only. Actual costs vary by travel style and season.
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