Nanjing packs over 2,500 years of history into a modern city of 9 million. Six dynasties made it their capital, the Ming dynasty built its founding tomb here, and the Republic of China governed from the Presidential Palace. Today you can walk the longest intact city wall in the world, climb the 392 steps to Sun Yat-sen’s mausoleum, and eat legendary salted duck in a 1,000-year-old quarter. Below is a practical guide to Nanjing’s top attractions with exact locations, hours, ticket prices, and tips to avoid the worst crowds. For a complete overview, see our Nanjing travel guide.
Things to Do in Nanjing: Historic Landmarks
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
The final resting place of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, founder of modern China, sits halfway up Purple Mountain. You climb 392 steps to reach the memorial hall, the number representing China’s population of 392 million at the time of his death. The view from the top looks straight down across the entire city. Free entry but you must reserve a timed ticket via the official WeChat mini-program at least one day ahead; same-day tickets are rarely available. Open 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM). Closed Mondays. Metro Line 2 to Muxuyuan Station, then the scenic shuttle bus (10 RMB one-way). Go at opening time to beat the crowds. Allow 2 hours. See our weather by month guide for more.
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
The tomb of the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest imperial tomb in China. The 1,800-meter Sacred Way is lined with 12 pairs of stone animals, camels, elephants, lions, and mythical beasts, each carved from a single boulder. The main burial mound has never been excavated. Entry fee 70 RMB (US$10). Open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM (summer), 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM (winter). Located adjacent to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on Purple Mountain, you can walk between them in 15 minutes. Best visited October-November when the ginkgo trees along the Sacred Way turn golden. Allow 2-3 hours. See our best time to visit guide for more.
Nanjing City Wall (Zhonghua Gate)
Nanjing’s 600-year-old Ming dynasty city wall is the longest intact city wall in the world at 25 kilometers (15.5 miles). Zhonghua Gate (Gate of China) is the most impressive section, a massive fortress-gate with four concentric courtyards and 27 vaulted rooms that once stored supplies for 3,000 soldiers. Entry 50 RMB (US$7). Open 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Metro Line 1 to Zhonghuamen Station, 5-minute walk. Walk the wall north toward Xuanwu Lake for the best views, a 3-hour walk covering 6 km. The eastern section near Taicheng offers views of Xuanwu Lake and Purple Mountain. See our best neighborhoods guide for more.
Presidential Palace
This sprawling complex served as the governor’s office during the Qing dynasty, the presidential headquarters of the Republic of China (1927-1949), and Chiang Kai-shek’s office. The blend of traditional Chinese garden architecture and Republican-era Western buildings makes it unique. Entry 40 RMB (US$5.50). Open 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (closed Mondays in winter). Metro Line 2 or 3 to Daxinggong Station. Allow 2-3 hours. The restored Chiang Kai-shek office with original furniture is the highlight. Go early on weekdays. See our where to stay guide for more.
Things to Do in Nanjing: Museums and Memorials
Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall
A sobering, essential museum documenting the 1937 Nanjing Massacre. The exhibition is graphic and emotionally heavy, it begins with excavated victims’ remains displayed in situ and moves through photographs, survivor testimonies, and artifacts. Free entry. Open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Tuesday through Sunday (closed Monday). Metro Line 2 to Yunjinlu Station. Allow 2 hours minimum. Expect security screening at the entrance. Not recommended for young children.
Nanjing Museum
One of China’s top three museums alongside Beijing’s Palace Museum and Taipei’s National Palace Museum. The collection spans 5,000 years of Jiangsu history with standout exhibits of Ming and Qing porcelain, jade, and calligraphy. The Republic-era street exhibit recreates 1930s Nanjing with functioning shops. Free entry but requires advance reservation via WeChat. Open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry 4:00 PM). Closed Mondays. Metro Line 2 to Minggugong Station. Allow 3-4 hours. The digital audio guide (20 RMB) is worth it for the English narration.
Things to Do in Nanjing: Parks, Lakes, and Temples
Xuanwu Lake
Nanjing’s central lake sits right against the city wall with Purple Mountain rising behind it. The 5-kilometer loop path takes about 90 minutes to walk. Five islands connected by causeways feature gardens, teahouses, and lotus ponds that bloom in July-August. Free entry. Open 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Metro Line 1 to Xuanwumen Station. Best visited at sunrise when locals practice tai chi and the lake is calm, or at sunset when the city wall glows gold. Paddle boats rent for 40-60 RMB/hour. Cherry blossoms along the southern shore peak in late March.
Jiming Temple
A 1,500-year-old Buddhist temple perched on the city wall with panoramic views of Xuanwu Lake. The current structure dates to the 1980s reconstruction. Entry 10 RMB (US$1.40), plus 5 RMB for incense. Open 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Metro Line 3 or 4 to Jimingsi Station. The temple is famous for cherry blossoms in late March, the road leading to it, Jimingsi Road, becomes a tunnel of pink. The vegetarian noodle restaurant inside serves a renowned bowl for 20 RMB. Go at 7:30 AM to have the temple nearly to yourself.
Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River
Fuzimiao (Confucius Temple) is the historic heart of Nanjing’s old city, a pedestrian quarter of Ming-Qing architecture along the Qinhuai River. The area is part temple complex (entry 30 RMB for the Confucius Temple itself), part night market, and part restaurant alley. The Qinhuai River boat ride (80 RMB daytime, 100 RMB at night for 50 minutes) passes under stone bridges and past lantern-lit buildings. The surrounding streets sell calligraphy supplies and Jiangsu embroidery. Metro Line 3 to Fuzimiao Station. Evenings are extremely crowded on weekends, visit on a weekday morning for the temple, return in the evening for the river cruise.
Things to Do in Nanjing: Day Trips and Nature
Purple Mountain (Zijin Shan)
Purple Mountain, east of the city center, packs Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling, Linggu Temple, and the Purple Mountain Observatory into one area. The mountain itself has 200 km of hiking trails through mixed forest. The observatory at the summit (15 RMB entry) has 1930s telescopes and a small museum. You can hike up from the base in about 90 minutes, or take the cable car (60 RMB round trip). Bus 20 from the city center reaches the entrance. Plan a full day to cover the mountain’s sites.
Qixia Mountain
Located 22 km northeast of the city center, Qixia Mountain is Nanjing’s premier autumn foliage destination. The 1,500-year-old Qixia Temple at the base has a renowned Buddha carving cliff with 500 stone statues. The mountain turns brilliant red and gold from late October through November. Entry 40 RMB (US$5.50). Open 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Take bus 206 from Nanjing Railway Station (50 minutes). Go on a weekday in early November, weekends are gridlocked with tour buses. The hike to the summit takes 60-90 minutes. Allow 4-5 hours total.
