★ Comparison
Comparison: Nanjing vs Xi'an
Nanjing vs Xi'an compared: history depth, attractions, food, transport, and which is better for history buffs, foodies, and day trips from Shanghai.
Contender
Nanjing · Destination
Nanjing
Scored across 5 axes · Overall 8.2/10
★ Editor’s Pick
Ancient capital · Central China
Xi'an
Scored across 5 axes · Overall 8.4/10
2 compared
5 criteria scored
2 paid nights each
$35 nightly difference
1 winner
Quick Answer
Which is the better choice, Nanjing or Xi'an?
Xi'an leads on the criteria that matter most for this kind of decision. Terracotta Army (UNESCO) — China's most famous archaeological site and Travelers who want older history (3,100+ years vs 2,600+). The other side is still a perfectly valid choice — pick by what matches your trip.
Five criteria, scored out of 10
Each score is the editor’s blind average across two paid nights.
Criterion
Nanjing
Comparison
Xi'an
Verdict
History depth
7.5/10
Nanjing
Xi'an
8.3/10
★ Xi'an
History depth: Xi'an wins on this axis.
Must-see
7.3/10
Nanjing
Xi'an
8.1/10
★ Xi'an
Must-see: Xi'an wins on this axis.
Modern character
9.4/10
Nanjing
Xi'an
9.4/10
Nanjing = Xi'an
Modern character: a genuine tie — both sides perform comparably.
Food scene
8.5/10
Nanjing
Xi'an
8.5/10
Nanjing = Xi'an
Food scene: a genuine tie — both sides perform comparably.
From Shanghai
8.3/10
Nanjing
Xi'an
7.5/10
★ Nanjing
From Shanghai: Nanjing wins on this axis.
Nanjing
Xi'an
Overall: Nanjing 8.2 · Xi'an 8.4
Deeper cuts
Beyond the scores — the places these two actually differ.
Deeper cut · 01
History depth
Nanjing——
Capital of 6 dynasties (300+ years). 2,600+ years of habitation.
Xi'an ★—★
Capital of 13 dynasties (1,100+ years). 3,100+ years of habitation. Older.
Deeper cut · 02
Must-see
Nanjing——
Ming Xiaoling (UNESCO), Confucius Temple (one of China's largest), Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing Massacre Memorial.
Xi'an ★—★
Terracotta Army (UNESCO), Ming city walls (best-preserved), Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Deeper cut · 03
Modern character
Nanjing——
Modern Chinese city with green boulevards, universities, and the Yangtze River running through.
Xi'an ★——
Compact old town with the Bell and Drum Towers, Muslim Quarter street food, modern CBD.
Deeper cut · 04
Food scene
Nanjing——
Nanjing salted duck (top 4 Chinese cuisines), duck blood soup, soup dumplings, osmanthus cakes.
Xi'an ★——
Roujiamo, biangbiang noodles, lamb skewers, dumplings. Hearty northwestern Chinese.
Deeper cut · 05
From Shanghai
Nanjing—★
HSR 1.5 hours. Easy day trip or overnight.
Xi'an ★——
HSR 6 hours. Difficult as a day trip; better as part of a longer route.
Final verdict
We picked Xi'an.
Xi'an leads on the criteria that matter most for this kind of decision. Terracotta Army (UNESCO) — China's most famous archaeological site and Travelers who want older history (3,100+ years vs 2,600+). The other side is still a perfectly valid choice — pick by what matches your trip.
Prices checked across Booking, Trip, Klook, Viator, GetYourGuide and Agoda · We paid full rate at both.
Overall scorecard
Xi'an
8.4
★ Editor’s Pick
Nanjing
8.2
Runner-up
📋 History depthXi'an 8.3
📋 Must-seeXi'an 8.1
📋 Modern characterNanjing 9.4
🍜 Food sceneNanjing 8.5
📋 From ShanghaiNanjing 8.3
Xi'an wins on 2 of 5 criteria · Overall Xi'an 8.4
Frequently asked questions
The questions readers emailed us most after this comparison ran.
Nanjing or Xi'an — which is more worth a special trip?
Xi'an for the Terracotta Army alone — it's one of China's top 3 must-see sights. Nanjing is more of a "while you're nearby" stop. If you only have time for one, choose Xi'an.
Is Nanjing worth visiting?
Yes — for the Ming Xiaoling (UNESCO tomb of the founding emperor), the Confucius Temple (one of China's largest), the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on Purple Mountain, and the Nanjing Massacre Memorial. 2-3 days is enough.
How do I get from Shanghai to Nanjing?
HSR from Shanghai Hongqiao to Nanjing South: 1.5 hours, ¥140 second class. Trains run every 10-15 minutes. The station is connected to Nanjing's metro.
Is the Nanjing Massacre Memorial worth visiting?
Yes — it's free, takes 2-3 hours, and is one of China's most important historical sites. The visit is emotionally heavy but essential for understanding 20th-century Chinese history. Photography is not allowed inside the memorial halls.
What food is Nanjing famous for?
Nanjing salted duck (盐水鸭, top 4 Chinese cuisines, the city's signature dish), duck blood soup (鸭血粉丝汤), pan-fried soup dumplings (生煎包), and osmanthus-flavored desserts. Nanjing cuisine is sophisticated and uses freshwater ingredients from the Yangtze.
Should I visit Nanjing on a day trip from Shanghai?
Yes — 1.5 hours by HSR makes it an easy day trip. The Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River area can be seen in a day. For Ming Xiaoling and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, plan 1 overnight to avoid rushing.