A complete Nanjing travel guide — the Ming City Wall, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Confucius Temple area, and how to plan 2-3 days in this former imperial capital.

Nanjing has been a capital city so many times — “Capital of Six Dynasties,” “Ten Dynasties’ Grand City” — that the layers of history here run unusually deep even by Chinese standards. Ming-dynasty walls, a Republican-era Presidential Palace, and a mountain holding the mausoleum of modern China’s founding father all sit within the same metro system. This guide covers the essential sights, what to eat, and how to plan 2-3 days here.

Why Nanjing Carries So Much History

In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming dynasty in what was then called Yingtianfu — modern Nanjing — making it the national capital with, at the time, the world’s largest population and largest city wall. The city was later demoted to provincial capital under the early Qing, but remained culturally significant; the Treaty of Nanjing, signed here in 1842, marked the start of China’s modern era. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom later made it their capital during the largest peasant uprising in world history, and in the 20th century it served as the capital of the Republic of China. That density of historical turning points is reflected directly in the sights you’ll visit.

What to Eat

– Salted duck — Nanjing’s signature dish, distinct in preparation from other regional duck specialties.

– Duck blood vermicelli soup — a beloved local comfort food, often eaten alongside an evening walk near the Confucius Temple.

– Soup dumplings and pan-fried beef dumplings — widely available staples reflecting the broader Jiangsu culinary style.

Purple Mountain: Nanjing’s Green Lung

Purple Mountain, on the eastern edge of the city, is only about 450 meters high but stretches across a large forested area containing several of Nanjing’s most important historical sites — easily a full day on its own.

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. The resting place of Sun Yat-sen, widely regarded as the father of modern China. The mausoleum offers a spectacular view over the city from its upper levels, reached by a long approach and stairway.

Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. The tomb of the Hongwu Emperor — the same ruler who built Nanjing’s city wall — and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The approach follows the Sacred Way (Shendao), a winding path lined with enormous stone statues of animals and officials standing eternal guard; in autumn, the flanking trees turn vivid gold and red. A single ¥70 admission covers both the mausoleum and the Sacred Way, and the visit takes about 2-3 hours.

Linggu Temple. Deeper into the mountain, this complex includes a “beamless hall” — a Ming-dynasty structure built entirely of brick without a single wooden beam — plus a nine-story pagoda offering panoramic forest views.

Meiling Palace. The former residence of Soong Mei-ling, a prime example of Republican-era architecture, rounding out what locals call the “Purple Mountain Triangle” along with the two mausoleums above.

The Ming City Wall and the Confucius Temple Area

Nanjing City Wall. One of the most complete ancient city walls in China, parts of which can be climbed and walked — a particularly good section runs near Xuanwu Lake by the Jiming Temple metro station.

Confucius Temple (Fuzi Miao) and the Qinhuai River. Centered on the historic Confucius Temple complex, this area is best experienced via an evening boat cruise along the Qinhuai River — locally described with the poetic phrase “paddle shadows and lantern lights.” Pair it with duck blood vermicelli soup and other local snacks from the surrounding streets.

Laomendong. A quieter historic district of preserved Ming- and Qing-era residential streets, worth an early morning stroll, with an avant-garde bookstore and traditional craft workshops tucked among the older buildings.

Other Essential Sights

Presidential Palace. A sprawling complex that served as the seat of government for the Republic of China and, earlier, as the palace of various Ming-era rulers. Walking through it moves you through Ming gardens, Taiping Rebellion-era throne rooms, and Republican government offices in a single visit.

Nanjing Museum. One of China’s top museums, with a deep collection covering Jiangsu’s ancient civilization, including Ming City Wall bricks and a notable jade burial suit.

Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. A significant, sobering historical site documenting the events of 1937-38 — worth visiting with the gravity it warrants.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Ming Dynasty City Wall in the morning, Confucius Temple area in the afternoon, and an evening Qinhuai River boat cruise.

Day 2: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (with the Sacred Way) on Purple Mountain, adding Linggu Temple if time allows.

Day 3: Nanjing Massacre Memorial in the morning, Presidential Palace in the afternoon.

Getting There

High-speed trains connect Nanjing to Shanghai in just 1-1.5 hours, costing roughly ¥135-230 — making Nanjing an easy add-on to a broader Jiangsu or East China itinerary alongside Shanghai, Suzhou, or Hangzhou.

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the recommended seasons. Spring brings plum blossoms (February-March) followed by cherry blossoms in early April; autumn brings vivid red leaves at Qixia Mountain and golden ginkgo trees nearby, alongside the Qinhuai Lantern Festival in October.

Building Nanjing into a Jiangsu or East China route with Shanghai or Suzhou? Get in touch and we’ll help you plan the days.