A dignified riverside city wrapped in one of the world's longest surviving city walls, Nanjing served as capital for ten regimes and carries deep, sometimes sombre, layers of Chinese history.
History & culture
Capital of six early dynasties and again under the early Ming and the Republic, Nanjing holds Ming imperial tombs, a vast Ming wall, and memorials to the tragic events of 1937 — a city that wears its history with gravity.
What to see & do
- ◆Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on Purple Mountain
- ◆Ming Xiaoling Tomb and the Spirit Way
- ◆The Ming city wall and Zhonghua Gate
- ◆Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) and the Qinhuai River at night
- ◆Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall (a solemn visit)
What to eat
- ●Salted duck (yan shui ya)
- ●Duck-blood and vermicelli soup
- ●Xiaolongbao and Qinhuai street snacks
Getting there
Lukou International Airport and a major high-speed rail hub connect Nanjing (~1.5h from Shanghai). The metro is extensive.
Avoid the pitfalls
- Purple Mountain's sights are spread out — wear good shoes and allow a full day.
- Summers are famously hot and humid; carry water and plan shade.
- The Massacre Memorial is moving and intense — visit respectfully and quietly.
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