Nanjing Travel Guide
By China On Arrival Editorial Desk · Checked and updated 2026-09-23 · Research basis: Editor research
At a glance
Six dynasties of capital: the Republican-era Presidential Palace, the solemn Nanjing Massacre Memorial, free Zhongshan Mausoleum on tree-lined Purple Mountain - and a duck-obsessed food scene (salted duck, duck-blood vermicelli soup).
Suggested stay: 2-3 days · Airports: NKG (Lukou International) · Train hubs: Nanjing South (high-speed hub) / Nanjing Station (north city)
What is Nanjing known for?
- Zhongshan Mausoleum
- Presidential Palace
- Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River
What do you eat in Nanjing?
salted duck · duck-blood vermicelli soup. Salted duck and duck-blood vermicelli soup, citywide.
How do you arrive in Nanjing?
NKG (Lukou International) handle the international arrivals; Nanjing South (high-speed hub) is the high-speed rail entry point.
Where should you stay in Nanjing?
Xinjiekou / Confucius Temple is the default first-timer base — first-timers — Lines 1/2/3 hub, Qinhuai River on foot. Before paying, check the property's guest policy and, for smaller hotels, confirm the front desk can register a foreign passport — licensing rules still exclude some budget properties. Hotel-by-hotel picks: where to stay in Nanjing →
| Area | Best for | The honest note |
|---|---|---|
| Xinjiekou / Confucius Temple | first-timers — Lines 1/2/3 hub, Qinhuai River on foot | the absolute center; food streets and night views |
| Purple Mountain / Xuanwu | Zhongshan Mausoleum days — quiet and green | earliest starts for the mountain sights |
| Hexi / Jiangdong | modern towers, river views | about 30 min by metro from the old town |
Area picks are editor research, verified 2026-09-23 — not sponsored placements. Book through the links below to support this site.
How do you get in from the airport?
NKG: Metro S1 to Nanjing South, 35-40 min (¥7-9 (about $1)), then Line 1/3 into town; last trains about 22:40. Taxis 40-60 min. The two rail stations are 10 km apart - match the station to your hotel side.
Plan your trip around these questions
- 🔍 The 3-day route that never doubles back
- 🔍 Do you even need a visa?
- 🔍 Booking train tickets as a foreigner
- 🔍 Which hotels can foreigners book
- 🔍 Paying without a Chinese bank card
- 🔍 Landing with data: eSIM setup
Explore the Nanjing guides below, organised around the questions travelers ask before booking.