Nanjing wears its history heavily, from the Ming city wall to the solemn memorial for the 1937 massacre. It is also a green, walkable city with a strong museum scene and some of the best duck in China.
Two days is enough for the wall, the museums and the old Confucius Temple district. It pairs well with Shanghai or Suzhou by high-speed train.
What is actually worth your time
Editor’s shortlistMing city wallWalk a section near Zhonghua Gate for the scale.
Nanjing MuseumOne of China’s largest; reserve ahead.
Sun Yat-sen MausoleumA long, ceremonial approach up Purple Mountain.
Confucius TempleCanal-side evenings and snack streets.
Memorial Hall of the VictimsSobering and essential; allow time.
Eat this
- Salted duck. Nanjing’s signature; buy from a busy shop.
- Duck blood vermicelli. A warming bowl, often breakfast.
- Soup dumplings. The Jiangsu version is sweeter than Shanghai’s.
Where to stay
- Xinjiekou. Central, convenient and close to the metro.
- Confucius Temple. Atmospheric at night, touristy by day.
- Xuanwu. Near the lake and Purple Mountain.
First-timer notes
- Reserve the Nanjing Museum in advance; walk-in slots disappear.
- Use the metro between sights; the city is larger than it looks.
- Dress respectfully at the massacre memorial.
Honest skip list
- Skip a rushed day trip from Shanghai; Nanjing deserves a night.
- Skip the fake antique market if you want real history; the museums are better.
On the map
Map data © Google. Centred on Nanjing, China.
Open in Google MapsRead before you go
Start with the entry guide and the payment setup.
Sources & further reading
Last checked October 2026. Opening hours, tickets and transit change; confirm before you travel.
