The capital of Jiangsu province and one of China's four great ancient capitals. Known as the 'Ancient Capital of the Six Dynasties' and the 'Capital of Ten Regimes', it served as a capital for about 450 years and has 2,500 years of history as a city. Ming Xiaoling, the tomb of the Ming founder Zhu Yuanzhang, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Ming city wall and the Confucius Temple on the Qinhuai River keep history close at hand. It is also known as a city that loves duck.
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Spring (April-May, average highs about 20-25°C) and autumn (October-November, about 22°C and 16°C) are best for walking, and October-November get less rain than summer, about 56-60 mm a month. July is the wettest month (about 188 mm), and July-August are hot, with average highs of about 32°C. January is cold, with an average low of about -2°C, and December-January are the driest months (about 25-29 mm). Check the official forecast before you go.
Warmest: Aug (avg high 32.2°C) · Coolest: Jan (avg low -1.6°C) · Wettest: Jul (188 mm)
| High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.0° | -1.6° | 29 |
| Feb | 8.4° | 0.0° | 48 |
| Mar | 13.5° | 4.4° | 69 |
| Apr | 20.1° | 10.3° | 87 |
| May | 25.3° | 15.7° | 96 |
| Jun | 29.0° | 20.4° | 159 |
| Jul | 32.0° | 24.6° | 188 |
| Aug | 32.2° | 24.2° | 124 |
| Sep | 27.2° | 19.1° | 95 |
| Oct | 22.1° | 12.6° | 60 |
| Nov | 15.9° | 6.1° | 56 |
| Dec | 9.7° | -0.1° | 25 |
Monthly averages of daily highs and lows, and average monthly rainfall. Any given year can differ.
Source: WMO World Weather Information Service — China Meteorological Administration · Nanjing (WMO city data) · 1961–1990 normals —View source
Nanjing Lukou International Airport is in Lukou Town, Jiangning District, Nanjing. It is a major East China airport with two passenger and cargo terminals and a transportation centre. Check the airport's official website (www.njiairport.com) for current ways into the city, times and fares.
The airport line runs from Lukou Airport station to Nanjing South Railway Station. Since 29 September 2026 it runs through onto Line 6, so you can stay on board at Nanjing South and continue towards Qixiashan. For Line 1, Line 3 and other lines, change at Nanjing South. Line 6's first trains leave at 6:00, and the last train towards Qixiashan leaves Nanjing South at 23:38. S1 last-train times were also changed, so check the station notices.
A 37-seat bus from Lukou Airport Terminals 1 and 2 to the South Square of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, stopping at Nanjing South Railway Station. Trial service began on 1 January 2026, with two provisional departures from the airport at 11:40 and 13:40. As it is a trial, service and times may change, so check before you travel.
The city runs crackdowns on illegal drivers touting for passengers around the airport car parks, especially at night and early morning. Don't go with drivers who approach you; use a regular taxi or a car booked through a proper platform. Showing your hotel address in Chinese makes things easier.
Nanjing's metro and buses accept the Jinlingtong transport card or a QR code from Alipay: open Civic Center and set the location to Nanjing. Setting up a payment method before you land makes things easier. Metro helpline +86 25 51899999.
At a station ticket machine, tap your destination station and choose how many tickets, and the fare is shown. Jinlingtong transport cards are sold at every station, and the 'Nanjing Metro Electronic Card' QR code in Alipay works for entry and exit. Line 2 is closest to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling, Line 3 to the Confucius Temple, and Line 1 to the Zhonghua Gate and Zhanyuan Garden area.
Board at the front and put the correct fare for the route into the coin box, so carry enough small change. You can also tap a Jinlingtong card on the reader at the front or scan the Jinlingtong QR code in Alipay. Bus helpline +86 25 96155.
During control hours (weekdays 09:00-17:00, weekends and public holidays 08:30-17:30), many roads in the Zhongshan Mountain scenic area are closed to most vehicles, and taxis may not enter the controlled roads. Change at Metro Line 2 Xiamafang, Xiaolingwei, Zhonglingjie or Muxuyuan stations to scenic-area shuttles for the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling, the Linggu area and more. These traffic measures run from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2028.
Nanjing South Railway Station (Yuhuatai District) serves high-speed lines such as Beijing-Shanghai, Shanghai-Wuhan-Chengdu and Nanjing-Hangzhou, while most trains from Nanjing Railway Station (Xuanwu District) are on the Shanghai-Nanjing route or T, K and Z services. Foreigners can buy tickets with a passport at the station window, or register passport details on the official 12306 website or app and book online. Ticket machines only accept Chinese ID cards, so passport holders collect tickets at the window.
Good for: First visit, historic sites, forest walks
A national scenic area of about 31 sq km on the eastern edge of the city, 76.8% forested. It holds the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling and the Linggu area among more than 200 historical and cultural sites. Metro Line 2 plus scenic-area shuttles is the easiest way around.
Good for: Night views, old-street walks, snacks
Ancient sites, gardens and busy streets line the Confucius Temple and the Qinhuai River. Nearby are the Laomendong historic district, called 'the root of Nanjing', and Wuyi Alley. Walk from Metro Line 3 Fuzimiao or Wudingmen stations.
Good for: Museums, modern-era architecture, the lakeside wall
Around Daxinggong station (Metro Lines 2 and 3) are the Presidential Palace (Museum of Modern Chinese History) and several museums. Further north, near Jimingsi station, you can walk on the Ming city wall above Jiming Temple and Xuanwu Lake.
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The tomb of Dr Sun Yat-sen, pioneer of China's democratic revolution. Construction began in 1926 and the main structures were completed in 1929. Designed by the architect Lü Yanzhi, its overall plan resembles a warning bell. A central axis of about 700 m with 392 stone steps runs from the Memorial Archway and Sacred Way to the Mausoleum Gate, Stele Pavilion, Sacrificial Hall and Burial Chamber, built of white granite under blue glazed tiles. Reach it from Metro Line 2 by scenic-area shuttle. Check official information for opening hours.
The tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang (the Hongwu Emperor), founder of the Ming dynasty, and Empress Ma. Work began in 1376 and took more than 30 years, until the Shengong Shengde Stele was completed in 1413. Over about 3,000 m from the Xiamafang archway to the Baocheng, more than 30 buildings and stone carvings line the route, including the avenue of stone animals. It set the model for Ming and Qing imperial tombs and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2003.
A park on the eastern slopes of Zhongshan Mountain. Kaishan Temple, founded in 515, was moved here by Zhu Yuanzhang and renamed Linggu Temple. It has the Beamless Hall, China's largest surviving Ming beamless brick hall, the Baozhi Pagoda, and a large osmanthus garden of about 18,000 trees.
One of China's three major museums, and the earliest of them to be founded. It is made up of the History Hall, Art Hall, Special Exhibition Hall, Digital Hall, Republic of China Hall and Intangible Cultural Heritage Hall. 321 Zhongshan East Road, about 600 m from Exit 1 of Minggugong station on Metro Line 2. Check official information for hours and booking.
The Confucius Temple is one of China's four major Confucian temples. A lantern show and fairs are held along the Qinhuai River every year during the Spring Festival. Boats from Banchi pier loop past Bailuzhou Park, Qicai Water Street, Dongguanmen and Zhonghuamen, about 4.8 km in about 50 minutes. Walk from Fuzimiao station on Metro Line 3.
Nanjing City Wall is the longest city wall in China and one of the largest brick city walls in the world. From the wall by Xuanwu Lake Park you can look over Jiming Temple and Xuanwu Lake. Jiming Temple is one of China's oldest Buddhist temples and was the centre of Buddhism in the Southern Dynasties. Jimingsi station on Metro Line 3 is close by.
Chinese-style gardens and Western-style office buildings here show the changes from the Qing dynasty to the Republic of China. A plaque reading 'The World is For All People', written by Sun Yat-sen, hangs in the hall. 292 Changjiang Road, about 350 m from Exit 5 of Daxinggong station (Metro Lines 2 and 3). Check official information for hours and fees.
A memorial museum built on the Jiangdongmen mass-killing site of the Nanjing Massacre. It opened on 15 August 1985 and is a national first-grade museum. All visitors must book in their real name through the official WeChat account 1-7 days ahead; passports are accepted. Open 08:30-17:30 (last entry 16:30), closed on Mondays except public holidays. Take Metro Line 2 to Yunjinlu station, Exit 2, and enter by Gate 1.
The signature duck dish of Nanjing. People here love duck so much that Nanjing is nicknamed China's most duck-obsessed city.
A soup with duck blood and glass noodles; shops specialising in it appear on the Nanjing Municipal Commerce Bureau's list of special snack bars.
Dumplings fried until crisp on the bottom; guotie shops also appear on the same list.
The snacks around the Confucius Temple carry Nanjing's own flavours, are widely known and are seen as part of Qinhuai culture.
Around the Qingming Festival, eight kinds of spring wild vegetables often appear on Nanjing tables, and around the Mid-Autumn Festival, eight kinds of aquatic vegetables.
Soup buns filled with crab roe; Luhe District in Nanjing has a Longpao Crab-Roe Soup Bun Festival.
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Morning: Metro Line 2 and a scenic-area shuttle to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum → the sacred way and stone animals of Ming Xiaoling → afternoon in the Linggu area → evening at the Confucius Temple and a Qinhuai River cruise.
Morning: the Nanjing Massacre memorial hall (book ahead; closed Mondays) → afternoon at the Presidential Palace (Museum of Modern Chinese History) → walk on the city wall near Jiming Temple and look over Xuanwu Lake.
Prices and times are approximate as of 2026-09 and may change. Always re-check visa and entry rules with official sources before you travel.