Nanjing · Visitor Guide

Presidential Palace (总统府, Zǒngtǒng Fǔ)

The Presidential Palace (Zongtong Fu) in downtown Nanjing preserves 180 years of Chinese political history within its 90,000-square-meter compound. It served as the headquarters of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, the office of the Viceroy of Liangjiang, Sun Yat-sen's provisional government (1912), and the Nationalist government (1927–1949). Today it functions as a museum displaying restored offices, gardens, and historical exhibits.

Last updated: June 17, 2026

Quick Answer

Is Presidential Palace worth visiting?

Nanjing's most historically layered site — served as Taiping Heavenly Kingdom headquarters, Qing provincial office, Sun Yat-sen's presidential office, and Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist headquarters from 1840–1949.

Quick facts

Ticket	Adults: CNY 40; Students/seniors: CNY 20; Audio guide: CNY 30 (English, Japanese, Korean)
Hours	08:30–18:00 (March–October, last entry 17:00); 08:30–17:00 (November–February, last entry 16:00); closed Mondays (except public holidays)
Recommended duration	2–2.5 hours
Best time to visit	Year-round; spring and autumn for garden views; weekday mornings for fewer crowds
How to get there	Metro Line 2 or 3 to Daxinggong Station (Exit 2); Bus 29, 44, 65, 95 to Zongtong Fu Station; 15-minute walk from Nanjing railway station
English signage	yes
Wheelchair accessible	partial
Total Area	90,000 square meters
Buildings	600+ rooms across three architectural zones
History Layers	Qing (1840), Taiping (1853), Republican (1912–1949)
Garden Style	Classical Chinese garden with artificial hills and ponds
Museum Grade	National Level 4A scenic spot; key patriotic education base
Sun Yat-sen Period	Jan 1 – Apr 1, 1912 (92 days)

What to expect

The Presidential Palace sits on a site that has served as the administrative center of Nanjing for over 600 years, with documented offices dating to the Ming and Qing dynasties. The current Qing-era complex was built in 1840 as the office of the Viceroy of Liangjiang (governor-general of Jiangsu, Jiangxi, and Anhui). The complex's most famous early period came during the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1853–1864), when it served as the 'Heavenly Capital's' primary administrative palace for the millenarian Christian rebellion led by Hong Xiuquan. After the Taiping defeat, the Qing rebuilt and reoccupied the compound.

On January 1, 1912, Sun Yat-sen was sworn in as the Provisional Republic's first President in the main hall of this building, marking the end of 2,000 years of imperial rule. He spent only 92 days here before ceding the presidency to Yuan Shikai in exchange for Yuan's role in forcing the Qing emperor's abdication. From 1927, Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist government made this the formal Presidential Palace, expanding it significantly and adding Western-style office wings. The compound served as the Nationalist government's seat until April 23, 1949, when People's Liberation Army troops entered Nanjing.

Today's museum divides into three zones: the office zone (reconstructed Republican-era offices, including Sun Yat-sen's presidential desk and Chiang Kai-shek's study), the garden zone (classical Chinese garden with pavilions, artificial hills, and lotus ponds), and the exhibition zone (archival photographs and artifacts documenting the site's layered history). The main hallway's distinctive feature is Sun Yat-sen's calligraphy 'Tian Xia Wei Gong' (The world belongs to the people) above the presidential desk. Allow at least 2 hours — the site is larger than it appears from the gate.

How to get there

From Nanjing railway station, take Metro Line 1 to Xin Jiekou, transfer to Line 2 or 3 to Daxinggong Station (Exit 2). Walk 5 minutes east. Alternatively, Bus 29 or 44 directly to Zongtong Fu stop. Total journey from downtown: approximately 25 minutes.

Best photo spots

The main gate (Zhonghua Gate) — iconic red columns and blue-tiled roof
Sun Yat-sen's presidential office interior — desk and calligraphy
The garden pavilions and lotus pond — classical Chinese garden composition
The Western-style corridors — particularly beautiful in spring cherry blossom season

Tips

Start from the east gate (nearest metro) to follow the chronological exhibition flow (Qing → Taiping → Republican)
The site has a café in the garden area — good for a mid-visit break with pond views
Weekday mornings (9:00–11:00) offer the best photography conditions with minimal crowds
Audio guides are essential for non-Chinese speakers — English signage is incomplete
Combine with nearby Confucius Temple (2 km) and Nanjing Museum (3 km) for a full cultural day

Scams to avoid

unofficial 'historians' near the entrance offer to share 'secret stories' for a fee — the audio guide is comprehensive
Vendors outside sell 'presidential palace replicas' — these are low-quality reproductions; the official gift shop inside has better merchandise

Frequently asked questions

How much time should I allocate for a visit?

A thorough visit requires 2–2.5 hours. The site has three main zones and 600+ rooms — most visitors rush through in 1.5 hours and miss key exhibits.

Is the Presidential Palace wheelchair accessible?

Partially. The main exhibition halls are accessible, but the traditional garden area has uneven paths, thresholds, and narrow bridges that limit wheelchair access. The office zone has step-free access to ground floor rooms.

Can I take photographs inside the buildings?

Photography for personal use is permitted in most areas. Flash and tripods are prohibited. Photography is not permitted in the archival exhibition zone on the second floor.

What was Sun Yat-sen's role here?

Sun Yat-sen served as the Provisional Republic's first President from January 1 to April 1, 1912. He was sworn in in the main hall, lived in the back compound, and worked from this building during his brief 92-day tenure before ceding power to Yuan Shikai.

Other things to do in Nanjing

Chaotian Palace

Ancient Ming dynasty palace complex now housing the Nanjing Municipal Museum. Best-preserved ceremonial architecture in southeast China; free-roaming peacocks in the courtyard. 600+ years old.

China Imperial Examination Museum (Gongyuan)

Ancient examination halls where scholars competed for imperial civil service positions over 600+ years. Now a world-class museum with reconstructed cubicles, artifacts, and immersive exhibits.

Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao)

A riverside temple complex turned vibrant pedestrian district — Confucian shrine, Qinhuai River boats, and Nanjing's best snack street. Temple ¥30, area free. 2–3 hours.

Zhonghua Gate Castle

The world's largest surviving ancient city gate complex, part of Nanjing's Ming dynasty wall. Three-tiered瓮城 (wengcheng/retreat defense) with 27藏兵洞 (hidden troop caves). Immense scale, fascinating history.

Ming Xiaoling Tomb

The tomb of the Hongwu Emperor (founder of the Ming dynasty, d. 1398) and his empress Ma. The largest imperial Ming tomb in China, with a 600-year-old stone avenue of elephants and lions. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Budget ¥70 and 2–3 hours.

Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

The tomb of the first Ming emperor — a 2.6 km Sacred Way lined with stone elephants and camels leading to a burial mound under Purple Mountain. UNESCO. ¥70. 2–3 hours.

Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre

One of China's most significant war memorial museums, built on the site of a mass grave of Nanjing massacre victims (1937–38). Solemn, powerful, and essential. Free admission.

Nanjing Museum

China's third-largest museum by collection size, with 1.2 million+ artifacts spanning 5,000 years. Exceptional jade, porcelain, Ming dynasty artifacts, and an outstanding digital civilization exhibit. Free admission.

Stone City Park

Urban park built along a 300-meter stretch of Ming dynasty city wall, featuring the famous 'Stone City' cliff formation where the ancient wall is exposed. Free, scenic, and historically significant.

Purple Mountain (Zijinshan)

Nanjing's central mountain, home to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Tomb, and the Purple Mountain Observatory. A full day of imperial tombs, forested hiking trails, and astronomical history. Pick 1-2 sites per visit.

Qinhuai River

Nanjing's iconic cultural river, 110 km long, flowing through the historic Confucius Temple district. Famous for boat tours past ancient walls, illuminated traditional architecture, and 1,000+ years of cultural history.

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

The 392-step blue-tile mausoleum where the founder of modern China rests. Free with national park ticket. The staircase is one of the most dramatic pieces of Republican-era architecture in Asia. 2–3 hours.

Xuanwu Lake Park

Nanjing's central lake park, 4.7 km² of islands, pavilions, lotus fields, and walking paths. Free entry, excellent for sunset walks and boat rides. Urban oasis with 2,000+ years of history.

Yongle Temple

Historic Buddhist temple on Purple Mountain's southern slope, founded 1455 during Ming dynasty. Famous for pink peach-blossom gardens in spring and traditional architecture. Less visited than Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.

Zhangjiakou Historical District

Nanjing historic residential quarter near Confucius Temple, Ming-Qing courtyard houses, 15th-century Wanmin Bridge stone arch. Free to walk district. Metro Line 1 Zhangjiakou Station (Exit 1). Best early morning for authentic local breakfast. 1-2 hours exploration.

Museums in Nanjing

Jiangsu Provincial Museum

Note: Nanjing has the Nanjing Museum (南京博物院) which is a national-level complex museum, not a standard provincial museum. This entry is for reference only.

Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders

One of China's most significant war memorial museums — documenting the 1937 Nanjing Massacre when Japanese forces killed 300,000 Chinese civilians and soldiers. Sobering, powerful, and essential. Free.