The 12 BEST Things to do in Nanjing China

Nanjing is not commonly on the list of places most tourists think of going, but it is truly worth your time. There are many things to do in Nanjing that you should not miss. This is a place where you get to meet friendly locals and an opportunity to look for unique experiences, which makes the visit even more rewarding. You can get to Nanjing easily from Shanghai, and you’ll find more affordable hotels and restaurants here than in many other parts of China. Nanjing used to be China’s capital and holds a lot of significance in the modern history of China. The Nanjing Massacre is one of the most memorable and horrific events that occurred here, with around 300,000 civilians and soldiers killed. The most popular places for travelers are the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Ming tomb and the Nanjing city wall, which is the longest city wall in the world.

#1: See the Massacre Museum

If you are interested in history, the Massacre Museum is a wonderful opportunity. This is the best place to learn more about the history of the city, and you can gain insight into the international relations and political tensions that played out within the country and beyond. The museum is part museum, part memorial, and partly a graveyard, one of the halls is an excavation site for skeletons. Here you get historical context regarding the Second Sino-Japanese War, with testimonies and photos used to stress the memories of these events. Apart from history, Chinese opera is performed every day.

#2: Explore Purple Mountain

Purple Mountain is one of the most scenic regions in Nanjing. The pathways on the mountain are lined with animal statues made of stone. The three main sites here are Linggu Temple, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, and the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. When the weather is nice, exploring the outdoors is great.

#3: Visit the Usnisa Palace

This is one of the best ways to see a unique part of China. It is an underground palace, and there is so much to see, intricate designs and colors inside, so much that you may find yourself a little lost. The environment is landscaped, and the place is never really too crowded because of the entrance fee requirement.

#4: See Xuanwu Lake

This is one of the best Chinese parks you should visit. The best time to come is in the morning hours. It is a tranquil place, very popular among seniors who practice tai chi. For a better lake view, the city wall is the best place to be, you can get a great look, especially when the day is clear.

#5: Go to the Ming City Wall

You do not need to see every part of the wall, but it makes sense to walk a section of it. This wall was completed in 21 years and has been preserved very well. The Gate of China (Zhonghua Gate) is one of the main highlights.

#6: Confucius Temple / Fuzimiao

Even though it has “temple” in its name, religion is not the main concern here. This is a great place to people-watch and shop. For those who aren’t into shopping, strolling the street is a great idea, a golden opportunity at night, especially with the lighting. It is better to visit when people are around rather than when it’s desolate. A boat ride on the Qinhuai River is also an excellent idea.

#7: Walk Around the Nanjing 1912 District

Most clubs in the city are located in this part of town, where there are restaurants and bars too. The vibe is Western, and you can enjoy drinking and dancing. There is a Starbucks, a craft brewery, and many other popular brands.

#8: Shopping at Xinjiekou

Xinjiekou is a great place to view neon lights after sunset. It is also great for shopping, with many Western brands present. This is a good spot for taking photos, especially given the bright colors. One place you should not miss is the Fashion Lady. This area is really dreamy and worth every minute you spend.

#9: Visit the Presidential Palace

The Presidential Palace is a place to learn more about the history of China. Keep in mind that all the exhibits are only in Chinese, so it’s best to explore with the help of a guide.

#10: Go to the Top of Zifeng Tower

Zifeng Tower is the city’s tallest skyscraper and has a restaurant and an observatory on the 72nd floor. This is a great place for an amazing city view, a perfect choice when the weather is nice and there is no smog.

#11: The Yangtze River Bridge

This is a double-decker bridge that was used for railway traffic and cars. It was the first of its kind when it was built.

#12: See the Grand Bao’en Temple

This temple has different types of exhibits and light shows.

Conclusion

We have mentioned some of the things to do in Nanjing, but there are many others to explore as well. You should also not fail to taste the food in Nanjing, it is very tasty and traditional, with many restaurants offering the best local and international food. It is also worth finding accommodation that lets you walk around in the evening, as there are some great spots to catch even after sunset.