Nanjing is one of China’s most accessible cities for international travelers, with a major international airport, one of the country’s busiest high-speed rail hubs, and a 10-line metro system that reaches every tourist attraction. This guide covers the practical essentials: airport transfer costs, metro navigation, visa requirements, tap water safety, tipping customs, and answers to the questions travelers ask most frequently. For a complete overview, see our Nanjing travel guide.
Nanjing Travel Tips and FAQ: Arrival and Transport
Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) – Located 36 km (22 miles) south of the city center. Taxi to downtown: approximately 120-150 RMB (US$17-21) and takes 40-60 minutes. Use the official taxi queue outside Arrivals, ignore touts. Metro Line S1 connects the airport to Nanjing South Railway Station (35 minutes, 8 RMB). Airport shuttle buses (20 RMB) run to Xinjiekou and Nanjing Railway Station every 30 minutes. See our weather by month guide for more.
Nanjing South Railway Station – One of Asia’s largest high-speed rail hubs. Direct trains to Beijing (3.5 hours, 550 RMB second class), Shanghai (1-1.5 hours, 145 RMB), Hangzhou (1 hour, 118 RMB), and Suzhou (1 hour, 100 RMB). The station connects to Metro Lines 1, 3, S1, and S3. Ticket machines have English option. Book at 12306.cn or Trip.com for international users. See our where to stay guide for more.
Nanjing Railway Station – The older main station on the north shore of Xuanwu Lake. Serves conventional trains plus some high-speed services. Metro Line 1 and 3. The lake-facing exit leads directly to Xuanwu Lake Park. See our things to do guide for more.
Nanjing Metro – 10 lines covering the entire city. Fare: 2-8 RMB (US$0.28-1.10). Trains run 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM. Station announcements and signs are in Chinese and English. Buy single-journey tokens or use Alipay’s transport QR code. The 24-hour pass (20 RMB) pays for itself after 4-5 rides. Download MetroMan or ExploreNanjing app for offline metro maps. See our best neighborhoods guide for more.
Nanjing Travel Tips and FAQ: Practical Information
Visa requirements: Most nationalities need a Chinese tourist visa (L visa) arranged in advance. The 144-hour (6-day) transit visa-free policy applies at Nanjing Lukou Airport for citizens of 53 countries including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and EU member states, you must have an onward ticket to a third country. Check with your local Chinese embassy for current rules.
Tap water: Not safe to drink. Bottled water is cheap (2-3 RMB for 1.5L at FamilyMart, Lawson, and Kedi). Most hotels provide two complimentary bottles daily and an electric kettle for boiling.
Tipping: Not practiced in China. No tipping at restaurants, hotels, or for taxi drivers. High-end hotel bell staff and tour guides may accept small tips (20-50 RMB) but it is not expected.
Cash and payments: China is nearly cashless. Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate. Set up Alipay’s TourPass or link an international credit card before your trip. Visa and Mastercard accepted at major hotels and upscale restaurants but rarely at street food stalls or small shops. Carry 500-1,000 RMB in cash as backup.
Internet access: Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X (Twitter) are blocked. You need a VPN installed and tested before arriving in China. ExpressVPN and Astrill are the most reliable services in China as of 2025. Download offline Google Maps and a translation app before departing.
Language barrier: English is not widely spoken outside of 5-star hotels, major tourist attractions, and university areas. Confucius Temple and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum have English signage. Taxi drivers rarely speak English, have your destination written in Chinese characters. Download Pleco or Google Translate with the Chinese offline pack before you travel. The metro system has full English signage and announcements.
Safety: Nanjing is very safe by global standards. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The biggest risks are traffic (drivers do not yield to pedestrians at crosswalks) and pickpocketing in crowded areas during festivals. Emergency numbers: Police 110, Ambulance 120, Fire 119.
Nanjing Travel Tips and FAQ: Getting Around
Taxis: Flag fall 11 RMB (US$1.50) for the first 3 km, then 2.4 RMB/km. A trip across the city center costs 20-40 RMB (US$3-6). Use the Didi app (Chinese rideshare, English interface available) for reliable pricing. Avoid unlicensed taxis at the airport and railway stations.
Public buses: Extensive network with fares of 1-2 RMB. Tourist routes Y1, Y2, and Y3 connect Purple Mountain, Confucius Temple, and other attractions. These Y routes cost 2 RMB and are easiest for English-speaking visitors.
Biking: Dockless shared bikes (Meituan Bike, Hellobike, DiDi Bike) are everywhere. Scan QR code with Alipay or WeChat to unlock, rides cost 1.5 RMB per 30 minutes. The city wall loop has dedicated bike rental near Zhonghua Gate (20 RMB/hour). Avoid biking on major roads during rush hour (7:30-9:00 AM, 5:00-7:00 PM).
Nanjing Travel Tips and FAQ: Food and Dining
Nanjing specialties to try: Nanjing salted duck (yanshui ya) is the city’s most famous dish, cold, poached duck with a thin layer of fat, served at almost every restaurant. Soup dumplings (tangbao) filled with pork and crab roe are a local breakfast staple at Confucius Temple food stalls. Duck blood and vermicelli soup (yaxue fensi tang) is the ultimate Nanjing comfort food, a savory broth with tofu, duck blood, and glass noodles, 15-25 RMB per bowl.
Water safety for food: Avoid raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit from street stalls. Stick to cooked dishes from busy stalls with high turnover. Ice in reputable restaurants is made from purified water and is generally safe. Choose stalls with queues of locals, they indicate freshness and quality.
Suggested Hotels in Nanjing
The Ritz-Carlton Nanjing
Nanjing’s premier luxury hotel occupying the upper floors of Deji Plaza II with panoramic city and mountain views, an infinity pool, and multiple Michelin-caliber restaurants. Best for luxury travelers celebrating a special occasion. Check rates and availability
InterContinental Nanjing
Set in the city’s tallest skyscraper with rooms starting on the 49th floor, lake-view dining, and direct access to Xuanwu Lake and Metro Line 1. Best for travelers wanting Nanjing’s most recognizable high-rise hotel. Check rates and availability
Jinjiang Inn Nanjing Xuanwumen
A reliable budget chain with clean rooms from 180 RMB (US$25), excellent location 300 meters from Xuanwu Lake and the metro, and functional amenities including reliable hot water and Wi-Fi. Best for no-frills travelers prioritizing location over luxury. Check rates and availability
