Explore the best of Nanjing with this 3-day itinerary, featuring must-see historic landmarks, scenic parks, and modern attractions.
Nanjing (南京), the former capital of China and now the capital of Jiangsu Province, has a rich history and is known as an important cultural center. Whether you’re drawn to history, natural beauty, or modern urban charm, Nanjing has something for everyone. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Quick Facts About Nanjing:
- Location: Eastern China, situated on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, bordered by Anhui Province and Zhejiang Province.
- Established: With a history spanning over 2,500 years, Nanjing served as the capital for several Chinese dynasties, including the Ming Dynasty, and was also the capital before Beijing (here is my guide).
- Population: Mostly Han Chinese with a growing number of international residents due to its status as a major educational hub.
- Main Attractions: the Nanjing City Wall, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Nanjing Museum, the Presidential Palace, and Niushoushan Cultural Park.
Best time to visit Nanjing
The best times to visit Nanjing are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). As I explained in my China Travel Guide, this is pretty much the case across China. Summer is extremely hot and humid. Avoid the national holidays at all costs. Most places are so packed with people that enjoying your time there will be very hard.
Where to Stay
The Xinjiekou area is a good place to stay. It’s close to the Nanjing Presidential Palace, Confucius Temple, and various shopping malls, and is also well connected by subway. I recommend using Trip.com instead of Booking.com. You’ll find more options, and they tend to be cheaper.
What to see in Nanjing in 3 days
Three days should give you more than enough time to explore Nanjing, but if this is your first time in China, you may only have one or two days. The following list is a good starting point for organizing your trip.
Day one: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Taien Temple Ruins/Grand Bao’en Temple
The first day in Nanjing focuses on cultural heritage and historic landmarks.
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (中山陵景区)
You can start your first day by visiting the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, dedicated to the founding father of modern China. Located on the southern slope of Purple Mountain, the mausoleum was completed in 1929, three years after Dr. Sun’s death. Its design blends traditional Chinese and Western architectural elements, symbolizing the transition to a new era.
The grand staircase has 392 steps, whose number is not random: it reflects Sun’s political philosophy, the Three Principles of the People, the nine provinces of China that he sought to unify, and the two characters of his name (中山, Zhōngshān). At the top, the memorial hall houses a marble statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, with a white marble sarcophagus placed in the chamber below. The blue-glazed tiles and solemn inscriptions further emphasize his vision of national unity and modernization, making the mausoleum one of Nanjing’s most significant landmarks.
To get there, take Line 2 of the subway to Minggugong Station (明故宫) and transfer to the Purple Mountain Tourist Shuttle to reach the mausoleum.
The Grand Baoen Temple Heritage and Scenic Area (大报恩寺遗址公园)
This is an archaeological site dating back to the Ming dynasty, and was once regarded as one of the most magnificent temples in China and an important center of Buddhist culture. Although the original temple no longer survives, the area has been revitalized with a combination of historical displays and modern reconstructions. The highlight is a glass replica of the original pagoda, which lights up beautifully at night and symbolizes the blending of past and present.
Inside the exhibition halls, you can explore artifacts unearthed from the site, multimedia displays, and immersive installations. Don’t miss the floating Buddha head created from beams of light and the spectacular mirror hall, where thousands of colorful light bulbs are endlessly reflected, creating a dazzling effect.
To get there, take Line 3 to Fuzimiao Station (夫子庙) and walk for about 10 minutes.
Laomendong Historic District (老门东历史街区)
Laomendong (老门东) is a historic district that showcases well-preserved architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walking through its narrow lanes and stone-paved streets, you’ll find traditional courtyard houses, teahouses, and shops selling local snacks, handicrafts, and souvenirs. The area has been carefully restored to preserve its old charm while adding cultural attractions such as small museums, artisan workshops, and performance spaces.
In the evening, when lanterns light up the streets, it becomes one of the best places in Nanjing to experience both history and local life. It’s an ideal spot to end your first day in the city, combining a relaxed stroll with plenty of opportunities to taste regional specialties and enjoy the traditional setting.
To get there, take Line 1 to Sanshanjie Station (三山街).
Day two: Memorial Hall, City Wall, and Nantai Alley
On the second day, I recommend visiting the following areas.
Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre (南京大屠杀纪念馆)
This memorial hall is an emotional journey remembering the three hundred thousand people killed during the Japanese invasion of Nanjing on December 13th, 1937. Built on top of a Japanese burial and execution site, known as ‘The Mass Grave of 10,000 Corpses’, the memorial hall recounts the horror of the time through music, imagery, and objects.
The space itself is a vast and intense experience, but one worth taking to truly understand the tragic history and resilience of the people of Nanjing. Although exhibitions in the hall can be gruesome and shocking, the ultimate message is hope, as displayed in the Peace Park, where visitors can read about ending the war. Information throughout the center is in Chinese, Japanese, and English. The Memorial Hall may not be suitable for very young children.
To get there, take Line 2 to Yunjin Road Station (云锦路) and walk for about 10 minutes.
Nanjing City Wall (南京城墙) and Xuanwu Lake (玄武湖)
Head to this impressive Ming Dynasty structure, which stretches for about 25 kilometers and is one of the longest and best-preserved city walls in the world. Built in the 14th century under the orders of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming dynasty, the wall was designed to protect Nanjing when it served as the imperial capital.
Around 350 million bricks were used in its construction, and remarkably, many of them are still clearly inscribed with the names of the officials and workers responsible for their quality: this system ensured accountability and durability. Today, several sections of the wall remain intact and accessible, with Jiefangmen Gate among the best entry points. Walking along the top of the wall provides a unique perspective on Nanjing, offering views that contrast the city’s ancient defenses with its modern skyline. At sunset, the experience is particularly atmospheric, as the old stones glow warmly while the city lights begin to shine.
To get there, take Line 1 to Zhonghua Gate Station (中华门) and walk to the city wall entrance.
From the wall, you can view Xuanwu Lake, a beautiful scenic area surrounded by gardens and temples. Then, you can walk around the lake, making it a relaxing way to unwind in the afternoon.
Nantai Alley (南台巷) and Qinhuai River Night Cruise (秦淮河夜游)
Nantai Alley is one of the oldest streets in Nanjing, with a history going back to the Six Dynasties period. Its name comes from the Nantai, or ‘southern platform,’ where government offices once stood. Over the centuries, the street remained an active commercial and residential area, with many buildings reflecting Ming and Qing dynasty styles.
Today, it has been renovated, but it still preserves its historic layout of narrow lanes and traditional facades. Alongside its heritage, it is now filled with restaurants, snack stalls, and coffee shops, and is especially lively in the late afternoon and evening, when locals and visitors come to eat and socialize.
From Xuanwu Lake, take Line 1 to Zhongshan North Road Station (中山北路) and walk to Nantai Alley.
After exploring Nantai Alley, end your day with a night cruise on the Qinhuai River. The Qinhuai was an important commercial and cultural center during the Six Dynasties and the Ming dynasties. Today, the cruise passes illuminated riverbanks with historic-style buildings, temples, and stone bridges. The main highlight is the section near the Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao), where the lights reflect on the water.
To get there, take Line 3 to Fuzimiao Station (夫子庙), where the cruise docks are located.
Day three: Niushoushan Cultural Park, Deji Plaza, and Jiangsu Grand Theatre
You can spend your last day exploring some of the most interesting modern areas of the city.
Niushoushan Cultural Park (牛首山文化园)
Niushoushan Cultural Park and the Usnisa Palace are among the most scenic places in Nanjing and, in my opinion, rank among the most impressive modern Buddhist complexes in China. The site was built on the grounds of an ancient mine and opened to the public in 2015. At its core stands the Usnisa Palace, a massive underground structure housing an important relic: the parietal bone of the Buddha, discovered in Nanjing in 2010.
The palace combines traditional Buddhist symbolism with striking contemporary architecture, featuring vast halls, intricate carvings, and a golden dome. The surrounding cultural park covers a large area with landscaped gardens, temples, and walking trails, so visitors should plan to spend several hours here to fully explore. For practical details, you can check my complete travel guide to this area.
From the city center, take Line 1 to Jiqingmen Station (集庆门) and then transfer to a taxi or local bus, as the park is outside the city.
Deji Plaza (德基广场) and the World’s Most Expensive Toilets
I’m not usually a fan of shopping malls, but Deji Plaza is worth a visit. Beyond being a luxury mall with international brands, it has some unique attractions that set it apart. On the top floor, you’ll find the Deji Art Museum, which hosts rotating exhibitions of contemporary and classical art.
The mall is also famous for its four themed restrooms, often referred to as the ‘world’s most expensive toilets.’ Each one has a different design concept, from futuristic installations to ornate interiors, and they have become an interesting highlight for tourists. Whether you go for the art or to see something unusual, Deji Plaza offers one of the most original experiences you can have in a shopping center.
To get there, take Line 1 to Gulou Station (鼓楼), where Deji Plaza is a short walk away.
Jiangsu Grand Theatre (江苏大剧院)
End your trip with a visit to the modern Jiangsu Grand Theatre, one of Nanjing’s most striking cultural landmarks. Opened in 2017, the theatre is located along the riverside in Hexi New Town and is known for its futuristic design, with curved metallic roofs that resemble lotus petals. The complex includes six halls, among them an opera house that seats 2,300 people and a conference hall with a capacity of 3,000. It regularly hosts operas, ballets, concerts, and large-scale performances, attracting productions from both China and abroad. Even if you don’t attend a show, the illuminated exterior makes it a worthwhile evening stop to appreciate the blend of modern architecture and cultural ambition that defines the city’s new district.
To get there, take Line 2 to Yuantong Station (元通), then walk to the theater.
Final thoughts
I really love Nanjing because it perfectly represents today’s China: a blend of ancient history and modern architecture. However, this city doesn’t get the attention it deserves among foreign tourists. If you are planning your first trip to China, you should consider adding at least a couple of days to your itinerary to explore Jiangsu’s capital and maybe continue your trip exploring some of Jiangsu’s water towns, as I recommend here.
Remember to download a VPN or get an eSIM before coming to China. As for travel insurance, I recommend this one.
If you are interested in Chinese history, don’t miss my guide to Xuzhou and Suqian in Jiangsu. My Jiangsu travel guide is also available here. Here, you can find my Shanghai travel guide.
