Best Things to Do in Nanjing (2026 Guide)

Nanjing wears its history more visibly than almost any city in China. A capital for a string of dynasties and, briefly, the whole country, it is layered with imperial tombs, a colossal Ming-era city wall, and sobering modern memorials, all wrapped around tree-lined boulevards and the misty slopes of Purple Mountain. For a city of its size it feels surprisingly green and walkable, and it rewards travelers who care about the story behind the sights.

Last updated: July 24, 2026. Prices, hours and venues verified as of this date.

It is also superbly connected. High-speed trains link Nanjing to Shanghai in about 90 minutes and to Beijing in under four hours, making it an easy and rewarding stop on any eastern China itinerary. Give it a full day or two – here is how I would spend it.

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book a hotel or buy something through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this site running, and I only point to things I would genuinely use myself. Thank you for the support. Last updated: 19 Jul 2026 — prices below re-checked on this date.

Quick Cost Overview — Nanjing Attraction Prices

Prices as of 19 Jul 2026 — rates change by season/demand, confirm current price before booking. Figures below are adult admission, converted at roughly ¥6.79 to US$1.

Check live prices & book Nanjing tours on Klook →

Climb the Ming City Wall at Zhonghua Gate

Nanjing guards the longest surviving city wall in the world, and the mighty Zhonghua Gate is its showpiece – a fortress of stacked stone chambers, ramps, and hidden troop tunnels built to swallow invading armies. Walk the ramparts for views over the moat and old town, and picture the sheer scale of a wall that once ringed the entire city. It is one of China’s most impressive pieces of military architecture.

Explore the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Purple Mountain

On the forested slopes of Purple Mountain east of the city, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum climbs a monumental staircase to the tomb of modern China’s founding father, with sweeping views back down the ceremonial approach. The surrounding scenic area bundles in the Ming Xiaoling tomb, temples, and lakes among the trees, making a full, green half-day of history and easy walking.

Reflect at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall

The Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre is a powerful, moving museum documenting the atrocities of 1937, thoughtfully designed and deeply affecting. It is not an easy visit, but it is an important one for understanding the city and the region’s twentieth-century history. Admission is free; allow plenty of time and a quiet frame of mind.

Stroll the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River

The Fuzimiao (Confucius Temple) district is Nanjing at its liveliest – a restored quarter of temples, shops, and snack stalls along the Qinhuai River. Come in the evening when lanterns light up the waterfront and take a traditional boat ride along the river, drifting past illuminated bridges and old facades. It is touristy but genuinely atmospheric, and the best place to try local street food.

Wander the Presidential Palace

The former Presidential Palace served as the seat of China’s Republican government and, long before that, an imperial garden and residence. Today it is an engrossing museum complex where you can wander through government halls, courtyards, and a classical Chinese garden all on one site – a neat crash course in the city’s role at the center of modern Chinese history.

Taste Nanjing’s Local Flavors

Nanjing has a distinct food culture worth seeking out. The signature dish is salted duck – fragrant, savory, and served cold – alongside duck-blood-and-vermicelli soup, soup dumplings, and a parade of small eats around Fuzimiao and the Xinjiekou area. Graze through a market or a local restaurant and you will eat very well for very little.

Book a Guided Tour or Day Trip

Nanjing’s sights are spread across the city and up Purple Mountain, and a guided tour is the easiest way to link the wall, the mausoleum, and the memorial without wrestling with logistics. Tours also open up day trips out to nearby water towns and the wider Jiangsu region, handling the transport and timing so you can focus on the history.

Where to Stay in Nanjing

The choice is between old-town atmosphere and modern convenience.

Around Fuzimiao and the Qinhuai River puts you in the most atmospheric part of the city, steps from the lantern-lit waterfront, street food, and evening boat rides.

Near Xinjiekou, the central business and shopping hub, keeps you on the metro with easy links to the train stations and all the main sights.

What to Pack

Nanjing means long days of walking city walls, mountain staircases, and riverside lanes, so pack comfortable shoes and layers – summers are famously hot and humid, winters can be cold. China uses 220V outlets (Type A/C/I), so bring a universal travel adapter to keep your devices charged. And because you will be relying on your phone for maps, translation, and mobile payments all day, a slim power bank is close to essential.

Getting Around

Getting to Nanjing is easy – high-speed trains reach it from Shanghai in about 90 minutes and from Beijing in under four hours, arriving at Nanjing South or Nanjing Station. In the city, a clean, extensive metro connects most major sights, with taxis and ride-hailing filling the gaps up Purple Mountain. Set up a mobile-payment app before you arrive, since cash is rarely used. One full day covers the wall, Fuzimiao, and the memorial; add a second to explore Purple Mountain at a relaxed pace.

Nanjing Prices at a Glance — as of July 24, 2026 (USD)

All prices below were checked on July 24, 2026, and are shown in US dollars (local currency in brackets), converted at about ¥6.78 to US$1 (open.er-api.com). Chinese attractions commonly charge different peak- and off-season rates, so both are noted where they apply.

Attractions & museums

See the Quick Cost Overview table near the top of this guide for current admission prices (Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Massacre Memorial Hall, Ming Xiaoling, Linggu Temple, Zhonghua Gate, Confucius Temple, Presidential Palace). Notes below cover transport, activities, food and lodging.

Getting around

The metro starts at $0.29 (¥2) and rises with distance to around $1.47 (¥10); since April 2025 there are also unlimited-ride day passes at $2.95 (¥20) for 1 day and $6.64 (¥45) for 3 days. Taxis start at $1.62 (¥11) for the first 3 km, then about $0.43 (¥2.90) per km. From Lukou International Airport, metro Line S1 reaches Nanjing South Railway Station in about 38 minutes for roughly $1.03 (¥7). High-speed trains link Nanjing to Shanghai in about 1h15 for around $20.65 (¥140) in second class.

Signature activities

A Qinhuai River night cruise through the lantern-lit Confucius Temple district is Nanjing’s signature evening experience. Guided tours of the Zhongshan Mountain sights (Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling, Linggu Temple) and city history walks are popular; current Klook prices and durations appear in the widget below. A scenic-area sightseeing bus/tram around the mausoleums costs about $1.47 (¥10).

Food (per person)

An inexpensive local meal costs about $2.95–$3.69 (¥20–25). A mid-range dinner averages around $12.54 (¥85) per person. Nanjing’s signature duck-blood vermicelli soup and salted duck snacks are just $2.21–$4.42 (¥15–30). Upscale Huaiyang-cuisine restaurants run $20.65–$41.30+ (¥140–280+).

Accommodation (per night)

Hostel beds and simple rooms run about $7.37–$23.60 (¥50–160). A 3-star hotel averages roughly $36.87 (¥250), 4-star about $83.33 (¥565), and 5-star around $101.77 (¥690). Budget business hotels can be found from about $25.07 (¥170).

Prices vary by season, day of week and demand — always confirm the current price before booking (checked July 24, 2026). The live Klook activity and hotel widgets directly below show up-to-date rates.

Book activities & stays with live prices

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a day of sightseeing in Nanjing cost?
Budget roughly $15–$30 per person for attractions, food and local transport combined. Several core sights (Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum grounds, the Massacre Memorial Hall) are free, while the Confucius Temple, Presidential Palace and Zhonghua Gate each run about $4–$13. See the price table above for current admission fees.

How do I get from Shanghai to Nanjing?
High-speed trains run frequently and take about 1h15–1h30, with second-class tickets from around $20 (¥140). Trains arrive at Nanjing South Railway Station, which connects directly to the metro.

Do I need to book Nanjing’s attractions in advance?
Reservations aren’t required for most sights, but the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and Ming Xiaoling can get busy on weekends and holidays — booking a timed entry slot online a day ahead is worth doing.

What’s the best way to get around Nanjing?
The metro is clean, cheap (from about $0.29) and covers most sights; taxis and ride-hailing fill the gaps for spots up Purple Mountain.

How many days do I need in Nanjing?
One full day covers the City Wall, Fuzimiao and the Memorial Hall; add a second day to explore Purple Mountain at a relaxed pace.

What is Nanjing best known for?
Its layered imperial history — the Ming-era city wall, Sun Yat-sen’s mausoleum and the sobering Nanjing Massacre Memorial — paired with the lantern-lit Qinhuai River night scene.

Where to Eat in Nanjing (Updated July 24, 2026)

These well-loved Nanjing tables are all operating as of July 24, 2026:

• Nanjing Da Pai Dang (南京大牌档) — branches at Fuzimiao and Shiziqiao. Lively hall serving classic Jinling dishes and duck-blood soup. ~$8.85–$11.80 (¥60–80)/person. $$
• Ma Xiangxing (马祥兴菜馆) — Yunnan Road. Time-honored halal restaurant famous for salted duck and braised dishes. ~$13.27 (¥90)/person. $$
• Lvliuju (绿柳居) — Taiping South Road. Historic vegetarian and Su-style house, known for its vegetarian buns. ~$10.32 (¥70)/person. $$
• Han Fuxing (韩复兴) — time-honored salted-duck shop; grab Nanjing’s signature osmanthus salted duck to go. ~$5.90 (¥40). $
• Yin’s Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup (尹氏鸭血粉丝汤) — many branches citywide. The definitive quick bowl of duck-blood vermicelli. ~$2.95 (¥20)/person. $