Nanjing 3-Day City Walk Guide
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Nanjing 3-Day City Walk Guide
Nanjing 3-Day City Walk Guide
Nanjing — "Capital of Six Dynasties." Lonely Planet calls Nanjing "one of the best-looking cities in China" with a rich and impressive historical heritage. The solemnity of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the reverence of Ming Xiaoling's Sacred Way, the lights of Qinhuai River, the national treasures of Nanjing Museum — three days here read like half of China's history.
📅 Itinerary Overview
| Day | Theme | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Zhongshan Heritage | Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum → Music Stage → Ming Xiaoling → Meiling Palace → 1912 District |
| Day 2 | Old City Vibes | Confucius Temple → Qinhuai River Cruise → Lao Men Dong → Nanjing Museum |
| Day 3 | Lake & Wall Views | Xuanwu Lake → Ming City Wall → Librairie Avant-Garde → Shiziqiao Food Street |
🏛️ Day 1: Zhongshan Heritage
Morning: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum — LP: "Nanjing's landmark attraction":
- 392 grand steps leading to Dr. Sun Yat-sen's final resting place
- Free (reservation required)
- Arrive before 8 AM to avoid crowds
- Metro Line 2 to Muxuyuan Station, 15-min walk
Morning: Music Stage
Music Stage:
- Open-air music square next to the mausoleum
- Hundreds of white doves — perfect for photos
- Admission: ¥10
Midday: Ming Xiaoling
Ming Xiaoling — LP: "Tomb of Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming dynasty":
- Sacred Way (Shixiang Road): "Nanjing's most beautiful 600 meters" — stunning in autumn
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Admission: ¥70 (combined with Meiling Palace: ¥100)
Afternoon: Meiling Palace
Meiling Palace:
- "The most beautiful necklace" — aerial view resembles a jade necklace
- Former residence of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling
- Exquisite Republic-era interior decor
Evening: 1912 District
1912 District:
- Republic-era buildings converted into leisure district
- Bars, cafés, and restaurants
- Great evening atmosphere
🏮 Day 2: Old City Vibes
Morning: Confucius Temple
Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) — LP: "Nanjing's liveliest traditional district":
- Confucian temple complex and Imperial Examination Museum
- Core of the Qinhuai Scenic Area
- Dacheng Hall admission: ¥30
Midday: Lao Men Dong
Lao Men Dong:
- Ming-Qing buildings converted into cultural district
- Concentrated Nanjing snacks: duck blood vermicelli, salted duck, soup dumplings
- More charming than Confucius Temple area
Afternoon: Qinhuai River Cruise
Qinhuai River Cruise — LP: "Lantern-lit Qinhuai River":
- Night cruise is a must-do Nanjing experience
- Cruise tickets: ¥80–120
- Most beautiful from dusk to night
Afternoon: Nanjing Museum
Nanjing Museum — LP strongly recommended: "One of China's top three museums":
- Free (reservation required)
- Republic Hall: recreated Nanjing streets from the 1930s
- National treasures including jade burial suit
- Allow 2–3 hours
🌊 Day 3: Lake & Wall Views
Morning: Xuanwu Lake
Xuanwu Lake — LP: "China's largest imperial garden lake":
- Five-island scenery, 2-hour loop walk
- Free admission
- Lake views with Purple Mountain backdrop
Midday: Ming City Wall
Ming City Wall — LP: "The world's longest ancient city wall":
- Climb at Taicheng section for views of Xuanwu Lake + Purple Mountain
- Admission: ¥30
- Best photo viewpoint in all of Nanjing
Afternoon: Librairie Avant-Garde
Librairie Avant-Garde (Wutaishan):
- One of "China's most beautiful bookstores"
- Converted from an underground parking garage
- Literary landmark
- Free
Evening: Shiziqiao Food Street
Shiziqiao Food Street:
- Where locals go for Nanjing food
- Yin's Chicken Soup Dumplings, Huiwei Duck Blood Vermicelli
- ¥30–50 per person
🚗 Transportation Guide
How to Get There
- High-speed rail: Nanjing South Station / Nanjing Station
- Shanghai → Nanjing: approximately 1 hour
- Beijing → Nanjing: approximately 3.5 hours
- Hangzhou → Nanjing: approximately 1.5 hours
- By air: Nanjing Lukou International Airport
Getting Around
- Metro: Covers major attractions, fares ¥2–7
- Bus: Comprehensive coverage
- Shared bikes: Great for exploring Zhongshan scenic area
🍜 Food Checklist
| Dish | Recommended Place | Price (¥) |
|---|---|---|
| Duck Blood Vermicelli | Huiwei / Lao Men Dong | 15–25 |
| Salted Duck | Han Fuxing / Deli shops | 30–50/portion |
| Soup Dumplings | Yin's Chicken Soup Dumplings | 20–30 |
| Beef Potstickers | Qijiawan Beef Potstickers | 10–15 |
| Osmanthus Cake | Fuzimiao / Lao Men Dong | 5–10 |
| Red Bean Yuanxiao | Fangpo Pastry | 8–12 |
| Nanjing Roast Duck | Jinhongxing Duck Shop | 25–40 |
| Pork Skin Noodles | Xiang's Noodle Shop | 15–25 |
| Plum Blossom Cake | Lao Men Dong | 5–8 |
| Yuhua Tea | Specialty shops | 20–50 |
💡 Practical Tips
- Best season: Mar–May (spring) / Sep–Nov (autumn) — Ming Xiaoling Sacred Way is stunning in autumn
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: free but book ahead — reserve one day in advance via WeChat
- Nanjing Museum: free but book ahead — Republic Hall is the highlight
- Lao Men Dong > Confucius Temple — better food, fewer tourists
- Metro is convenient — most attractions have metro access
- Moderate costs — ¥100–150 per person per day
- Ming Xiaoling in autumn — Sacred Way is Nanjing's most beautiful autumn scene
This guide primarily references Lonely Planet's Nanjing guide and multiple travel information sources.