5 Days in Nanjing
Five days in China's ancient capital — Ming dynasty, Taiping Rebellion, and Yangtze River culture.
Best time: March-May or September-NovemberBudget: mid-range
Quick Answer
Is 5 days enough for Nanjing?
5 days is the sweet spot for Nanjing: enough time for the must-sees plus one day trip or food/rest day.
Source: NihaoVisit Nanjing guide
5-day Nanjing itinerary at a glance
Use our full Nanjing travel guide as the base and adapt it to 5 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 MausoleumSun Yat-sen MausoleumNanjing City WallNanjing MuseumQinhuai River
1
Day 1
Purple Mountain
Full day on Purple Mountain.
- Ming Xiaoling Tomb
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
2
Day 2
Nanjing Museum
One of China's best provincial museums. Allow 3 hours.
- nanjing
3
Day 3
City Wall
Ming dynasty wall. Zhonghua Gate section.
- nanjing
4
Day 4
Qinhuai & Confucius
Confucius Temple area. Evening Qinhuai boat.
- nanjing
5
Day 5
Yangtze & Departure
Yangtze River walk. Yat-sen Night Market.
- nanjing
Budget for 5 days in Nanjing
| Tier | Per day | 5 days total |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | USD $50–$80 | USD $250–$400 |
| Mid-range | USD $100–$200 | USD $500–$1,000 |
| Luxury | USD $300+ | USD $1,500+ |
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 5 days for both Nanjing and a side trip?
Tight. With only 5 days, focus on Nanjing proper; save side trips for a future trip.
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.