Nanjing Itinerary: 3 Days of Timeless History in China’s Legendary Capital

This Nanjing itinerary will guide you through the tourist attractions and activities you can experience in Nanjing, in the Jiangsu province.

Nanjing’s historical heritage is unparalleled as it was the former capital during multiple dynasties and the Republic of China.

In this blog post, you’ll find helpful travel tips to plan your stay and a three-day itinerary to experience the best in town.

If this is your first time in China, check my tips-packed China Travel Guide for first-timers! 🇨🇳

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Planning Your Nanjing Itinerary

Is Nanjing Worth Visiting?

Nanjing is probably one of the most underrated cities in China. Its unfortunate location between Beijing and Shanghai often leads travelers to skip it in favor of these more famous cities.

Yet, its position along the lower Yangtze River and its history as the capital during the Ming Dynasty and the early Chinese Republic under Sun Yat-sen make it one of China’s most captivating cities.

In addition, it’s considered one of the cleanest cities in China, which is always a nice bonus.

In Nanjing, you’ll love the relaxed atmosphere typical of a university town. Its streets are lined with plane trees, there are peaceful lakeside areas, and cozy restaurants and cafes where you can sip Chinese tea.

So yes, Nanjing is definitely worth a stop on your journey between Beijing and Shanghai!

How Many Days Should I Stay in Nanjing?

I’d recommend a 3-day stay in Nanjing. Two days are enough to explore the city, and you’ll need more than half a day to visit Purple Mountain, home to historical buildings you can’t miss.

A 3-day Nanjing itinerary ensures you don’t feel rushed while visiting the sights and soaking in all the city has to offer, which is one of the worst things to experience when traveling.

How to Get to Nanjing?

Nanjing is easily reached by high-speed train. To book tickets, use Trip.com. It’s my go-to platform for booking train tickets in China and is so easy for non-Chinese speakers.

It is around four hours and a half from Beijing
It is around two hours from Shanghai
It is around one hour and a half from Suzhou

Where to Stay in Nanjing?

The best district to stay in Nanjing is around the Fuzi Miao, Qin Huai River area, which is close to the main attractions and a lively area during the evenings.

Hotels in Nanjing: Holiday Inn Nanjing Aqua City is near the Fuzi Miao, and it’s perfect if you want to stay in the city’s heart.

Check Booking.com for the accommodation option that best fits your needs.

Nanjing Itinerary Map

3-Day Nanjing Itinerary

Day 1: Presidential Palace, Nanjing Museum & City Walls

The first day of this Nanjing Itinerary is dedicated to learn more about Nanjing’s rich past as the capital of the first Republic of China.

1. Presidential Palace

⏰ Visit Time: 1-2 hours

🏷️ Ticket Price: 35 ¥. Make sure to bring your Passport.

Ⓜ️ How to Get There: From Fuzi Miao, take the subway line to Daxinggong

The first day in Nanjing starts with a visit to the Presidential Palace. If you’re into Chinese history, this Palace is a must-see.

After Taiping took over, The Mansion of the Heavenly King, as it was called then, was built on the foundations of a Ming-style palace.

The palace, now known as the Presidential Palace, also housed the office of the Republic of China’s President from 1927 until 1949.

The building is divided into three sections: the Middle section, with its presidential hallways and offices; the west section, also called the West Garden; and the East section, which is used as a temporary exhibition hall displaying historical documents and records.

The Palace is surrounded by a beautiful Ming-style garden that can be visited, and it’s lovely in Spring.

Unfortunately, the signs within the Palace are all written in Chinese, so if you want to make the most of your visit, book an English guide in advance.

2. Nanjing Museum

⏰ Visit Time: 3 hours

🏷️ Ticket Price: Free. Head to the ticket office at the right side of the entrance, where they will check your passport.

Ⓜ️ How to Get There: From Daxinggong subway station, take subway line 2 to Minggugong, then walk to the museum for about 10 minutes.

If you’re craving extensive museum displays, the Nanjing Museum is one of the largest in the country.

❀ PRO TIP

If you’re interested in visiting the whole Museum, spread the visit over two days. Purchase an English audioguide for an insightful visit.

The Museum houses the most extensive collection of Ming and Qing Porcelain, paintings, ancient calligraphy, and Buddhist Sutras.

In addition, the underground section hosts the Gallery of the Republican Period, which shows Nanjing in the 1930s, with old shops and buildings represented.

This museum is one of the city’s highlights, allowing you to dive deeper into its rich history.

3. Nanjing City Walls

🏷️ Ticket Price: From 10¥ to 30¥, depending on the section.

Ⓜ️ How to Get There: From Fuzi Miao, it’s a 20-minute walk to the Zhonghua Gate (South Gate)

Cycling or hiking along the Nanjing City Walls is the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful scenery around the city, including Xuanwu Lake and Purple Mountain.

In the 1400s, the Nanjing City Walls were the longest in the world, protecting the city within. Today, several sections of these historic walls remain intact.

Zhonghua Gate is an ideal starting point for your hike. It’s one of the 13 gates that once served as entrances to Nanjing. With its connecting spaces leading to the wall, it looks more like a palace than a simple gate.

From Zhonghua Gate, you can make your way to Dongshui Guan.

If you’re up for a longer walk, you can continue to the Wu Gate, about an hour away, where you’ll pass through the former Ming Imperial Palace ruins.

Exploring all the sections of the Walls is a great way to experience the city, from its historic old town to its more modern districts.

Day 2: Purple Mountain & Fuzi Miao

The second day of this Nanjing Itinerary is dedicated to discovering the historical and cultural relics that are so important for the local inhabitants and China.

4. Purple Mountain (Zijin Mountain)

⏰ Visit Time: More than half a day

Purple Mountain gets its name from the golden and purple hues that light up its trees at dawn and dusk.

It’s a lush natural site that includes four main scenic areas, which house most of Nanjing’s historically significant buildings.

Buses can take you from one scenic area to another, with a single ticket costing around 10¥. While there’s plenty to explore beyond the main scenic areas, the most significant sights are below.

Ming Xiaoling Tomb

This mausoleum, the burial place of the Ming Dfounder of the Ming Dynasty Yuanzhang, and his Empress, represents the finest example of Ming architecture. It even inspired the design of similar structures built in later periods.

If you visit early in the morning, you can truly experience the spiritual atmosphere, especially along the hopefully quiet Spirit Path. This path, lined with stone statues of lions, camels, elephants, and horses, was meant to guard the tomb from evil spirits.

At the end of the Spirit Path, you’ll pass through a series of halls and a temple before arriving at the tomb. If you’re visiting in spring, don’t miss Plum Blossom Hill, just south of the Mausoleum. From mid-February to mid-March, the Plum Blossom Festival takes place here.

Sun Yat Sen Mausoleum

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is one of the top spots on Purple Mountain, and it’s easy to see why.

It’s a favorite among Chinese visitors and history enthusiasts who come to pay their respects to Sun Yat-sen, the Father of Modern China and a key figure in creating the first Chinese Republic.

The mausoleum itself is stunning. It combines traditional imperial tomb style with modern architecture, set on a mountain slope.

You’ll start your visit with a long staircase. At the bottom, you’ll see the impressive three-arch marble gate, the official entrance to the site.

As you make your way up, the Sacrificial Hall stands more than 700 meters away.

It’s the central part of the mausoleum and looks incredible against the backdrop of the mountain.

Linggu Temple Scenic Area

The Linggu Temple Scenic Area is perfect for enjoying beautiful views surrounded by ancient trees that seem to hold past stories.

This Buddhist temple is located east of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and gives a calm and historic vibe.

One of the main highlights is the Memorial Hall dedicated to Xuanzang, the monk who traveled to India and brought back the Buddhist Sutras.

You’ll come across the unique Beamless Hall as you explore the grounds. Built during the Ming Dynasty entirely from brick and stone, it stands strong without a single beam for support.

A short walk uphill will take you to the Linggu Pagoda.

This pagoda’s appearance catches your eye. Surrounded by greenery, it’s a great spot for photos or just to appreciate the view.

5. Fuzi Miao

🏷️ Ticket Price: Free.

Originally built during the Song Dynasty and rebuilt several times, Fuzi Miao, or the Confucius Temple, is a must-see spot in downtown Nanjing.

Today, the temple reflects the architectural style of the Ming and Qing Dynasty. It is not only a temple but also a larger complex that houses other attractions.

What makes this area come alive is the Qinhuai River, lined with those typical red lanterns, running alongside the edges of the temple complex and even through its borders.

This is one of the busiest spots in Nanjing. You’ll catch the tempting aroma of street food through the air as you walk along lively streets packed with souvenir shops, vendors, and visitors snapping photos.

It’s perfect for a late afternoon stroll when the sun sets, followed by a typical Chinese dinner along the river.

Nanjing Itinerary Day 3: Jiuhuashan Park, Jiming Temple & Xuanwu Lake

The third day of this Nanjing Itinerary is dedicated to discovering the stunning views and natural areas in this city. Mainly those around the Jiuhuashan Park, the Jiming Temple, and the Xuanwu Lake.

6. Jiuhuashan Park

🏷️ Ticket Price: Free.

Jiuhuashan Park is one of Nanjing’s gems.

It doesn’t get the attention it deserves, probably because many visitors take one look at the steep climb to the Sanzang Pagoda and decide to skip it. But if you’re up for the challenge, the hike is definitely worth it.

The path steadily climbs, and there’s plenty to distract you along the way, like a peaceful temple where you can pause to catch your breath.

When you finally reach the top, the view is incredible.

You’ll see the Purple Mountain in the distance, the calm waters of Xuanwu Lake, the historic City Walls, and the Nanjing skyline coming into view. I told you it was worth it!

7. Jiming Temple

The Jiming Temple is the busiest Buddhist temple in Nanjing.

If you visit in spring, the area around the temple and the Yaoshifo Pagoda is covered in cherry blossoms, creating a beautiful, dreamy atmosphere.

You can enter the pagoda’s base, where hundreds of small golden Buddha statues are displayed in glass cabinets.

The view is amazing from here — you can see Xuanwu Lake below and the City Walls in the distance, adding a stunning backdrop.

8. Xuanwu Lake Scenic Area

If you enjoy strolling through beautiful, peaceful spots, the Xuanwu Lake area is the place to be.

The area has five small islands connected by bridges, with pagodas, Chinese-style gardens, pavilions, and teahouses scattered around.

Once an imperial garden, Xuanwu Lake Park is now a calm city park, perfect for relaxing.

In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, while summer brings lotus flowers and weeping willows. In fall, the trees turn red and gold with maples and ginkgos.

Each of the five islands has its charm: Liang Islet hosts the Lake God Temple and a Peony Garden, and Ying Islet is home to over 200 rare bird species.

There’s plenty to see and do here, with pagodas, pavilions, tea houses, a zoo, and boat rentals.

Just like that, we have reached the end of this Nanjing Itinerary. Hopefully, this post will help you plan your Nanjing Itinerary as smoothly as possible. Enjoy your time in China! 🇨🇳

This blog post was all about the perfect 3-day Nanjing Itinerary.

Nanjing Itinerary: 3 Days of Timeless History in China’s Legendary Capital