If you’re planning a trip to Nanjing in May, you’re in for a treat! The city is at its best during this time, with pleasant weather, blooming flowers, and an abundance of delicious food.
As a city with a rich history spanning six dynasties, Nanjing has countless historical sites to explore. It’s the perfect destination for a leisurely “eat and wander” style of vacation.
Transportation Guide
✈️ By Air: For those traveling from far away, flying is a convenient option. Nanjing has frequent flights to and from various cities. For example, even during national holidays, a round trip from Xiamen only costs around 1,300 RMB, making it an affordable choice.
🚄 By Train/High-Speed Rail: If you’re coming from nearby provinces, we recommend choosing Nanjing Railway Station. It’s located in the city center, close to Xuanwu Lake, Confucius Temple, and Xinjiekou.
🚇 Getting Around: Nanjing has a convenient transportation system, with most attractions easily accessible by metro (refer to our metro map). Taxi fares in the main urban areas are reasonable, but expect some traffic during peak hours.
Accommodation Recommendations
When it comes to accommodation in Nanjing, we recommend the following areas based on their proximity to attractions. Choose a hotel that fits your budget; we won’t be naming specific hotels here.
1️⃣ Xinjiekou: The city center of Nanjing, with convenient transportation and easy access to various attractions.
2️⃣ Confucius Temple & Laomendong: Perfect for those who want to experience the ancient beauty of Qinhuai.
3️⃣ Xuanwu Lake: Close to the railway station, offering better value for money.
Travel Guide
Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River
“Misty waters under the cold moon, anchoring near a tavern by the Qinhuai River at night.” No trip to Nanjing is complete without a visit to the Confucius Temple and a night cruise along the Qinhuai River! At night, the river and temple are illuminated, creating a dazzling display that transports you back to the splendor of the Tang Dynasty.
The Qinhuai River is divided into inner and outer rivers, as well as east and west lines. We recommend taking the east line for the best scenery! The boat departs from the Panchi Wharf beneath the Tianxia Wenshu Memorial Archway, passing by Taoyedu, Bailu Zhou Park, Water Street, Dongshui Pass, and Zhonghua Gate before returning to Panchi Wharf.
Try to arrive around dusk when the setting sun paints the Qinhuai River like a beautiful painting. After 5:00 PM, the Confucius Temple lights up, making it the perfect time for a comfortable night cruise.
Nanjing Museum
The Nanjing Museum is another must-visit attraction. It houses several treasures, including the Western Han Gold Beast, the Celadon Mythical Beast Zun, the Silver-Threaded Jade Suit (exhibited as the Gold-Threaded Jade Suit), the Gilt Bronze Beast-Shaped Inkstone Box with Silver Inlay, the Bronze Ox Lamp with Silver Inlay, the Gold Seal of King Guangling, the Brick Mold Painting of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, and the Glazed Arch of the Dabao’en Temple Pagoda.
Admission to the museum is free, but reservations are required. You won’t be allowed to enter without a reservation! If you plan to visit during the Labor Day holiday, set an alarm and make a reservation on the Nanjing Museum website at 6:00 PM, 7 days in advance. If you couldn’t secure a reservation, additional slots are released at 9:00 AM on the day of your visit, but they are limited and difficult to obtain.
Before visiting the museum, we highly recommend watching the ninth episode of the first season of the documentary “National Treasures.” It provides valuable insight into the history of the Nanjing Museum and the stories behind its exhibits, allowing you to deeply appreciate that “a museum is a vivid, living history book.”
Note: The museum is closed every Monday. There are limited parking spaces nearby, and traffic can be heavy, so we don’t recommend taking a taxi or driving. The most convenient way is to take Metro Line 2 to the Minggugong Station and walk for a few minutes from Exit 1.
Jiming Temple
“A pure land, three pillars of clear incense.” Jiming Temple in Nanjing has been renowned since ancient times as the “First Temple of the Southern Dynasties” and the foremost among the “Four Hundred and Eighty Temples of the Southern Dynasties.”
Many people come here to pray for love, but they may not know that Jiming Temple supports righteous relationships and severs evil ties. Locals say that aside from love, prayers for anything at Jiming Temple are effective! So, it’s an excellent place to pray for academic success, career success, and health.
Xuanwu Lake
Xuanwu Lake is very close to Jiming Temple, so it’s recommended to visit both together! Xuanwu Lake is a “Royal Garden Lake” that has been preserved in the imperial records. Located in the main urban area of Nanjing, it is open all day and free of charge. You can enjoy flowers in all four seasons, take boat rides, photograph, take walks, relax, and take your children for a stroll, making it a beloved park among locals.
Nanjing’s famous Pioneer Bookstore also has a branch at Xuanwu Lake. Although not large, it has a strong atmosphere and is even more beautiful on sunny days or when the lights are on at dusk.
Laomendong
If you come to Nanjing, you must visit Laomendong to see this old neighborhood south of the city, half artistic and half filled with the aroma of daily life.
The correct way to enjoy it is to wander and eat. Hand-made pork tenderloin that’s tender and juicy, crispy and fragrant small fish pot stickers, exploding juicy pan-fried buns… Stroll through the Huizhou-style architecture and savor Nanjing’s specialty snacks.
Zhongshan Scenic Area
The Zhongshan Scenic Area is quite large and includes several attractions: Meiling Palace, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. Of course, if your travel time is limited, you may consider skipping this area.
The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is one of the largest imperial mausoleums in China and is known as the “First Mausoleum of the Ming and Qing Royal Families.” The Wenwu Square Gate and the Fangcheng Ming Building are particularly photogenic. You can take pictures of the city building, the red walls, and even climb the city building for stunning views of the flying eaves.
Meiling Palace, called the “First Villa of the Far East” by John Leighton Stuart, was the former residence of Madame Chiang Kai-shek. It preserves traces of her life from that time. If you’re interested in celebrity residences, you can visit here.
The Music Stage at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing was selected as part of “China’s 20th Century Architectural Heritage.” It was mainly used for musical performances and rallies during ceremonies commemorating Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Due to its beautiful architecture and the flying white doves, many people come here to take photos and check in.
The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders
The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders is a place that every Chinese person should visit at least once. No reservation is required to enter the museum; you can enter by scanning your ID card. Please note that photography is not allowed in many areas, and you should not speak loudly. Remain quiet and avoid wearing bright-colored clothing.
Food Guide
What to eat in Nanjing? Nanjing’s famous eateries are a must-visit for every tourist, and we recommend trying them on your first visit to see if they suit your taste.
In addition, Xiao Pan Ji’s duck blood vermicelli, Xiao Li’s soup dumplings, Li Ji Qingzhen Guan’s beef pot stickers, Zhang Yun Ban Ya’s pressed duck and salted duck, as well as Nanjing specialties like mei hua gao (plum blossom cake), Meiling porridge, and wangji dan (boiled salted duck eggs) are all worth trying!
In summary, Nanjing is an unforgettable city with a historical heritage that will leave you in awe. It’s truly worth a visit!
