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3-Day Nanjing Itinerary

3-Day Nanjing Itinerary

TL;DR: A 3-day Nanjing itinerary covers Confucius Temple (夫子庙) and the Qinhuai River evening scene on day 1, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (中山陵) and Ming Xiaoling on day 2, and the Nanjing Massacre Memorial + Purple Mountain (紫金山) on day 3. Total cost 1,500–2,800 CNY per person excluding hotel. Nanjing is one of the most underrated cities in China — fewer crowds than Suzhou or Hangzhou, deeper history than Shanghai.

Quick answer

Nanjing (南京) was the capital of six Chinese dynasties and the Republic of China (1927–1937, 1946–1949). It is famous for the Ming city wall (明城墙) — the longest surviving city wall in the world at 35 km — the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Nanjing Massacre Memorial, the Confucius Temple riverside, and the Purple Mountain (紫金山). The city is 1.5 hours from Shanghai by HSR, 3 hours from Hangzhou, and a popular side trip from either. A 3-day itinerary covers the essentials without rushing; 2 days is feasible but tight.

Before you go

  • Best season: March–May, September–November. Avoid the humid June–August and cold January–February (though plum blossoms bloom in February–March on 梅花山).
  • Transport: Nanjing Metro (11 lines, English + Mandarin), DiDi, buses, taxi.
  • Money: 1,500–2,800 CNY for 3 days mid-range.
  • Hotel base: Stay in Xuanwu Lake (玄武湖) or Confucius Temple (夫子庙) area. Both are central, walkable, metro-connected.
  • HSR access: Nanjing South (南京南) is the main HSR station. 1.5 h from Shanghai, 3 h from Hangzhou, 4.5 h from Beijing.

Day 1: Confucius Temple, Qinhuai River, Old City

Morning (08:30–12:30)

  • 08:30: Hotel breakfast.
  • 09:00: Metro to Fuzimiao (夫子庙) station. Walk to Confucius Temple (夫子庙 / Nanjing Confucius Temple) — a 1,000+ year-old complex of temples, examination halls, and lane houses. Tickets: 大成殿 (Hall of Great Achievement) 30 CNY, whole complex 50 CNY. Allow 1.5 hours.
  • 10:30: Walk to Jiangnan Examination Hall (江南贡院) — China's largest imperial examination hall, 20,000+ cells. Entry 50 CNY. Allow 1 hour.
  • 11:30: Walk along the Qinhuai River (秦淮河) riverside, photograph the lantern-lined lanes. The 夫子庙 commercial strip is touristy but atmospheric.
  • 12:00: Lunch at 秦淮八绝 (Eight Famous Qinhuai Snacks) — try 鸭血粉丝汤 (duck-blood vermicelli), 小笼包 (soup dumplings), 桂花糖芋苗 (osmanthus taro). 50–100 CNY per person.

Afternoon (13:30–18:00)

  • 13:30: Walk or short taxi to Presidential Palace (总统府) — the Republic of China presidential office, 600+ years of layered history (Ming garden → Qing military camp → Taiping Heavenly Kingdom palace → ROC presidency). 35 CNY. Allow 2.5 hours.
  • 16:00: Metro to Xuanwu Lake (玄武湖) — a 5 km² lake park surrounding the north of the old city. Walk the lakeside path (1.5 h) or rent a boat (50 CNY/hour). Free, boat paid. Allow 1.5 hours.
  • 17:30: Sunset photo at Xuanwu Gate (玄武门) with the city wall backdrop.

Evening (19:00–22:00)

  • 19:00: Dinner near Confucius Temple. Try 盐水鸭 (salted duck, Nanjing specialty), 鸭血粉丝汤, 锅盖面 (Guangaixian noodles, Nanjing specialty), 小笼包. 80–150 CNY per person at 晚晴楼, 奇芳阁, or 韩复兴.
  • 20:30: Qinhuai River night cruise (秦淮河夜游): 80–120 CNY per person, 50 min, boats leave every 15 min from 夫子庙 docks. This is the highlight of Nanjing at night — lantern-lit, water reflections, traditional architecture. Don't skip.
  • 22:00: Return to hotel.

Day 2: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling, Purple Mountain

Morning (08:30–12:30)

  • 08:30: Hotel breakfast.
  • 09:00: Metro to Muxu Yuan station (苜蓿园站), Line 2. Walk or take the sightseeing shuttle (10 CNY) to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (中山陵) — the tomb of Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of China. Free entry, ID required. Climb 392 steps to the sacrificial hall. Allow 2 hours.
  • 11:00: Walk or shuttle to Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (明孝陵) — the tomb of the Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang), founder of the Ming dynasty, and one of the largest imperial tombs in China. UNESCO World Heritage. 70 CNY. Allow 1.5 hours. Highlights: the Sacred Way (神道) with stone animal guardians, the Ming city wall section, the Stone City (石城).
  • 12:30: Lunch in the scenic area (200 CNY for a quick restaurant meal) or return to the city.

Afternoon (13:30–18:00)

  • 13:30: Take a taxi to Linggu Temple (灵谷寺) — a 1,500-year-old Buddhist temple in a quiet valley of Purple Mountain. 35 CNY. Allow 1 hour. Highlights: the Linggu Pagoda (灵谷塔), the Beamless Hall (无梁殿), the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery.
  • 14:30: Walk to Purple Mountain Observatory (紫金山天文台) — China's first modern astronomical observatory, 1934. 15 CNY. Allow 1 hour. The Panoramic View of Nanjing from the mountain is the best in the city.
  • 15:30: Return shuttle to the city.
  • 16:00: Nanjing Museum (南京博物院) — one of China's best provincial museums. Free, ID required. English signage in main galleries. Allow 2 hours. Highlights: the Ming Imperial Tombs exhibit, the Republican-era (1912–1949) gallery, the Digital Museum wing.
  • 18:00: Dinner near the museum or in the Hunan Road (湖南路) food street. 80–150 CNY per person.

Evening (19:30–22:00)

  • 19:30: Deji Plaza (德基广场) or Xinjiekou (新街口) — Nanjing's main shopping district, with luxury malls, restaurants, and the 1912 Block (1912街区) — a bar/restaurant district in restored ROC-era buildings. Dinner + drinks. 200–400 CNY per person.
  • 22:00: Return to hotel.

Day 3: Massacre Memorial, Ming City Wall, Departure

Morning (08:30–12:30)

  • 08:30: Hotel breakfast. Pack and check out (or leave bags at the hotel).
  • 09:00: Metro to Yunjin Lu station (云锦路站), Line 2. Walk to Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall (侵华日军南京大屠杀遇难同胞纪念馆) — China's most important WWII memorial. Free, ID required. Allow 2.5–3 hours. This is a heavy, emotional visit — the exhibits document the 1937 massacre, with mass graves, survivor testimonies, and a documentary film. The visit is essential to understanding 20th-century Chinese history. Children under 12 are not recommended.
  • 12:00: Lunch at a nearby duck restaurant — Nanjing is famous for 盐水鸭 (salted duck) and 板鸭 (pressed duck). Try 韩复兴 (Hanfuxing, founded 1866) or 章云板鸭店. 50–100 CNY per person.

Afternoon (13:30–17:00)

  • 13:30: Metro to Zhonghua Gate (中华门) station. Walk to Zhonghua Gate Castle (中华门城堡) — the world's largest surviving city gate complex, Ming dynasty. 50 CNY. Allow 1.5 hours. Highlights: 4 layers of defensive walls, 27 hidden soldier chambers, the 瓮城 (urn-shaped enclosure) for trapping invaders.
  • 15:00: Ming City Wall (明城墙) bike ride — rent a bike (20 CNY) at Zhonghua Gate and ride the city wall top (paved) for 2–4 km. The wall is 35 km total, but 2–4 km is a satisfying stretch. Best perspective on the city — old Nanjing on one side, modern on the other.
  • 16:30: Return bike, walk to the Nanjing Eye (南京眼) pedestrian bridge over the Yangtze for sunset photos (30 min).
  • 17:00: Return to hotel or directly to Nanjing South HSR.

Evening (optional)

  • 18:00: Departure by HSR to Shanghai (1.5 h), Hangzhou (3 h), Suzhou (1.5 h), or Beijing (4.5 h).
  • Or: Stay another night and visit Qixia Mountain (栖霞山) for autumn foliage (October–November) or Yuejiang Tower (阅江楼) for Yangtze views.

Where to stay

Xuanwu Lake (玄武湖) — recommended base

  • Sofitel Nanjing Galaxy (南京索菲特银河大酒店) — 5-star, lake view, 600–1,000 CNY/night.
  • Sheraton Nanjing Kingsley (南京金茂威斯汀) — 5-star, near Xuanwu Gate, 700–1,200 CNY/night.
  • Jinjiang Inn (锦江之星) Xuanwu Lake branch — 3-star, clean, 200–400 CNY/night.

Confucius Temple (夫子庙) — atmospheric base

  • Jinling Hotel (金陵饭店) — Nanjing's historic luxury hotel, 5-star, 800–1,400 CNY/night.
  • Mandarin Garden Hotel (南京状元楼酒店) — 4-star, near Fuzimiao, 400–700 CNY/night.
  • Hanfu Inn (夫子庙汉庭) — budget chain, 200–400 CNY/night.

Xinjiekou (新街口) — shopping + business

  • Deji Plaza InterContinental (南京德基广场洲际) — 5-star, near luxury malls, 800–1,500 CNY/night.
  • Hilton Nanjing (南京希尔顿) — 5-star, near Xinjiekou, 700–1,200 CNY/night.

Where to eat

  • 盐水鸭 (Salted duck): 韩复兴, 章云板鸭店 — 50–80 CNY.
  • 小笼包 (Soup dumplings): 鸡鸣汤包, 晚晴楼 — 30–60 CNY.
  • 鸭血粉丝汤 (Duck blood vermicelli): 鸭得堡, 蓝老大 — 20–40 CNY.
  • 锅盖面 (Guangxi noodles): 耿氏, 黄记 — 20–40 CNY.
  • 桂花糖芋苗 (Osmanthus taro): 莲湖糕团店 — 10–20 CNY.
  • 秦淮八绝 (Qinhuai Eight Snacks): 永和园, 奇芳阁 — 80–150 CNY per person.
  • Modern Chinese: 1912街区, 老门东 — 150–300 CNY per person.
  • Huaiyang (淮扬菜): 马祥兴, 绿柳居 — 200–400 CNY per person.

Cost summary (3 days, mid-range)

| Item | Cost (CNY) | |---|---| | Hotel (2 nights, 4-star) | 800–1,800 | | Meals | 500–800 | | Metro + DiDi | 80–150 | | Ticketed sights | 250–400 | | Mausoleum + mountain shuttle | 50–100 | | Total per person (excluding hotel) | 900–1,500 | | Total per person (with hotel) | 1,700–3,300 |

When to go

  • March–May: Best, mild (15–25°C), jacaranda in bloom, plum blossoms on 梅花山 in February–March.
  • September–November: Best, mild, autumn foliage on Qixia Mountain (栖霞山) and Purple Mountain (紫金山) is famous.
  • June–August: Hot (30–38°C), humid, rain. Avoid.
  • December–February: Cold (0–10°C), some snow possible. Off-season, low prices.

What to skip

  • Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge (南京长江大桥): Photogenic but a long detour; skip unless a bridge enthusiast.
  • Dabie Mountain (大别山) or Lushan (庐山): Far from Nanjing; not a day trip.
  • Jiming Temple (鸡鸣寺): A small Buddhist temple, atmospheric but 30 min visit. Skip if short on time.
  • Nanjing Underwater World: Dated, average.

FAQ

Is 3 days enough for Nanjing?

Yes, for first-timers. For a deeper dive (Ming Xiaoling archaeology, Republican history, Yangtze cruises), add 1–2 days.

Should I combine Nanjing with Suzhou or Hangzhou?

Yes. Nanjing + Suzhou (1.5 h HSR) is a 5-day Jiangnan classic. Nanjing + Hangzhou (3 h HSR) is also feasible. For a 7-day trip: 3 days Nanjing + 2 days Suzhou + 2 days Hangzhou.

Do I need a visa?

Standard China visa. 47+ passports get 30-day visa-free entry in 2026.

Is English spoken?

Less than Shanghai or Beijing. Major hotels and the Nanjing Museum have English speakers. Outside, English is rare. Use Pleco or Google Translate.

Is the Massacre Memorial appropriate for kids?

Not for under 12. The exhibits are graphic and emotionally heavy. For older children (12+), the visit is educational but prepare them in advance.

Verdict

The 3-day Nanjing itinerary is Confucius Temple + Qinhuai River on day 1, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum + Ming Xiaoling + Purple Mountain on day 2, and Massacre Memorial + Ming City Wall on day 3. Total cost 1,700–3,300 CNY per person mid-range. Best for history-focused travellers, repeat visitors to China, and anyone interested in Ming/Qing/Republican-era China. Combine with Suzhou and Hangzhou for a 7-day Jiangnan trip.

Source: Nanjing Tourism Bureau 2026 visitor survey; Ming Xiaoling UNESCO dossier 2024; travel writer site visits 2024–2026.