10 Days in Nanjing
Ten days to fully experience Nanjing's ancient capital heritage.
Best time: March-May or September-NovemberBudget: mid-range
Quick Answer
Is 10 days enough for Nanjing?
10 days lets you go beyond Nanjing's core into neighborhoods, food markets, and one or two day trips at a relaxed pace.
Source: NihaoVisit Nanjing guide
10-day Nanjing itinerary at a glance
Use our full Nanjing travel guide as the base and adapt it to 10 days. Keep the city's three signature attractions as the backbone; fill the rest with neighborhood walks, food markets, and an easy day trip.
Ming Xiaoling (three visits)Sun Yat-sen MausoleumNanjing Museum (two visits)City WallQinhuai River
1
Day 1
Purple Mountain
First day.
- Ming Xiaoling Tomb
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
2
Day 2
Nanjing Museum
Full morning.
- Nanjing Museum
3
Day 3
City Wall
Full circuit.
- Zhonghua Gate Castle
4
Day 4
Qinhuai
Evening boat.
- Qinhuai River
5
Day 5
Ming Xiaoling 2
Hiking trails.
- Ming Xiaoling Tomb
6
Day 6
Museum 2
Return visit.
- Nanjing Museum
7
Day 7
Taiping History
Taiping Rebellion sites.
- Chaotian Palace
8
Day 8
Yangtze
River walk.
- nanjing
9
Day 9
Local Food
Duck blood soup tour.
- Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao)
10
Day 10
Final
Last morning.
- nanjing
Budget for 10 days in Nanjing
| Tier | Per day | 10 days total |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | USD $50–$80 | USD $500–$800 |
| Mid-range | USD $100–$200 | USD $1,000–$2,000 |
| Luxury | USD $300+ | USD $3,000+ |
Useful tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the daily budget for Nanjing?
Budget travelers: USD $50–$80/day. Mid-range: $100–$200/day. Luxury: $300+/day. These cover hotel, three meals, transit, and one paid attraction per day.
Do I need a visa to visit Nanjing?
It depends on your passport — see our <a href="/china-visa-2026/">China visa guide</a> for the latest country-by-country list. Most Western passport holders can enter visa-free for 30 days as of 2026.
How do I get from the airport to the center of Nanjing?
Nanjing's main airport connects to the city center via airport bus, taxi, or metro where available. See the airport transfer section of our Nanjing guide.
Can I use 10 days for both Nanjing and a side trip?
Yes — with 10 days you can pair Nanjing with one nearby city (e.g. a short rail or bus side trip) and still have buffer days.
Is Nanjing safe for tourists?
Yes. Nanjing has very low violent crime rates and is widely considered safe for foreign tourists. Standard petty-theft precautions apply. See our <a href="/is-china-safe-2026/">is China safe</a> page.
See also: Nanjing travel guide, China visa 2026, China trip cost.