What reminds you of Nanjing? Another attractive big city in China? EH guru refutes, Naaahh! Its far greater than that! Being one of the major four antique capitals together with Beijing, Luoyang, and Xi'an, Nanjing, used to be the main capital in one of the 6 dynasties that has a magnificent cultural heritage in Chinese history.
And therefore, immerse yourself in this empire city, renowned for its brilliant culture and long history over 6000 years that offers a range of attractions from ancient sites to modern museums and parks, which takes only 3 days off of your schedule.
In each destination, enjoy a comfortable stay witnessing the most essential highlights of all time that rounds up a wonderful tour to the most charismatic landscape, Nanjing.
Day 1
Welcome to Nanjing!
Take the high-speed train from Shanghai to Nanjing (1.5h), followed by the subway directly to your hotel to check-in. Once you are done refreshing, start discovering this ancient city, with the below list of stops on your own. We recommend Laomendong for your lunch and Yihe Garden Restaurant for dinner while watching Kunqu Opera.
Stop1
Laomendong
In a city experiencing rapid development, most of Nanjing's old architecture is being torn down. However, in southern Nanjing-the root of Nanjing-some older buildings remain scattered. Local families knew each other intimately, speak the most authentic Nanjing dialect, have the best street snacks and know the best old Nanjing tales.
Lao Men Dong is the core of southern Nanjing. Like Xintiandi in Shanghai, it is one of the city's most successful urban restoration projects. On the ground floor of former residential buildings, you will find lots of tea houses, local venders, design shops, folk artists, boutique hotels, bars, international restaurants and old former residences of celebrities.
A museum complex locates here as well which is redeveloped from former Nanjing Colorful Fabric Factory. It includes Nanjing Painting and Calligraphy Academy, Jinling Art Museum, and Museum of Southern Nanjing Memory, where you can better understand Nanjing local culture.
Stop 2
Confucius Temple
Confucius Temple. Built-in Song Dynasty, the year 1034, Nanjing Confucius Temple has a history of about 1000 years. The whole temple covers a huge area, mainly consisting of Confucius Temple, Studying Hall, and Gongyuan.
Stop 3
Imperial Examination Museum of China
Jiangnan Examination Hall, also named Jiangnan Gongyuan, Nanjing Gongyuan or Jiankang Gongyuan, was honored as Chinas largest imperial examination center by World Record Association in 2009. It is located to the east of Nanjing Confucius Temple in Qinhuai District of Nanjing City. Here, you will know that Gongyuan served as the center for provincial examinations as well as being the headquarters of the examination management department.
Stop 4
Qinhuai River
Qinhuai River to explore the local lifestyle. This river remembers the long history of the town and it is an inseparable part of all that is happening in Nanjing. Its bank was very popular during the Qing and Ming Dynasties due to the red lantern alley that was placed there.
Floating lights are the most famous view on the Qinhuai River. On the river, any boat or ship, large or small, will hang color lamps. It is recommended to have the boat cruise in the evening. An evening cruise on the Qinhuai River is a wonderful experience. Nanjing skyscrapers neon city lights are on and all the red lanterns along with the river light up at night, exotic and attractive.
Day 2
Nanjing Exploration
The second day will take you to the eastern suburb of Nanjing, to climb to the Purple Mountain in Zhongshan Mountain National Park, known as one of the four most popular mountains in Southern China. Enjoy the scenic mountain vistas at the top of the mountain that is not only very beautiful but also rich in historical and cultural relics. Explore the city that will lead you to some of the famous landmarks and have dinner later on at Nanjing Impressions Restaurants. (Highly recommended).
Stop 1
Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Located at the foot of the majestic Purple Mountain, it is the tomb of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Father of Modern China. Some 392 steps lead to the very entrance in this mausoleum and it is a definite must-see place when you are visiting Nanjing.
Stop2
Meiling Palace
Built-in 1931, the Meiling Palace or May-ling Villa is located to the west of the Parking Lot of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum. Seen from above, the Mausoleum Road looks like a necklace, and the villa is just like a delicate emerald on it.
The roof is decorated with green glazed tiles and carved with more than 1,000 phoenixes. The yellow walls, red pillars, and beautiful paintings under the eave look very spectacular. In front of the building is a Buick car which was presented to Soong May-ling by the American government.
Stop 3
Xuan wu Lake
Situated at the foot of Purple Mountain in Nanjing, Xuanwu Lake is a beautiful scenic spot protected by China. It is also one of the three most famous lakes in Nanjing. Surrounding it are Circumvallation, Jiuhuashan Park and Jiming Temple.
Go to a boat on the Xuanwu Lake to enjoy the sightseeing of mountains waters and forests in this city.
Day 3
Nanjing Discovery
The 3rd day will take you to discover another side of Nanjing that will let you feel the essence of culture and a sense of history in modern times at Niushou Mountain and Presidential Palace. At the end of the day enjoy a variety of foods in Nanjing, which is home to many well-known cuisines in China. At the end of the day, take the high-speed train back to Shanghai from Nanjing.
Stop 1
Niushou mountain
Opened in 2015, the park is composed of numerous buildings, including multiple pagodas, a temple, a working monastery and a modern palace surrounded by posh eateries and boutiques. The purpose of the complex is to preserve and exhibit cultural treasures of Buddhist origins; the aforementioned fragment of the skull that was discovered in the ruins of Baoen Temple is the cornerstone of Nanjing Niushoushan Cultural Parks collection.
The beautiful scenery of Niushou Mountain in spring has been widely known. The summer rain from June to July makes the plants flourish. The autumn rain from September to October enriches the Buddhism atmosphere here in Niushou Mountain.
Stop 2
Presidential Palace
At No. 292, Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District, the Nanjing Presidential Palace, originated in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as a royal residence, is now the biggest China Modern History Museum. Nanjing, a seat of political power, has witnessed many defining moments in ancient and modern China. By visiting Nanjing Presidential Palace, visitors can get intimacy with China.
Nanjing Food Paradise
Salted Duck
In a city built at the meeting of two great waterways, the Qinhuai, and Yangtze Rivers, there is no doubt that the duck dishes of Nanjing would be a staple food loved all over China. As a former imperial seat, the prepared duck was seen as a tribute food of Nanjing. With a history reaching back some l,400 years several different duck dishes can be found in Nanjing including the milky-broth of old duck soup, Jinling roasted duck similar to Peking duck, braised duck, a boneless preparation called pearl duck, cluck gizzards, duck blood in noodle soup and savory duck oil pancakes. The most famous is the saltwater duck.
Duck Blood Soup
Spicy duck blood soup, Yaxue Tang, with bits of duck gizzards is great on a cool morning to get you going or late on a chilly night to warm you through. While many in the West would not normally cook with blood it is a very popular Chinese dish and once sampled will quickly become a favorite.
Meihua Zhenggao
The small Meihua Zhenggao is a local cake delicacy. This dense and dry cake is slightly sweet with bits of dried fruit. More like a scone or shortbread to Western tea aficionados, it is perfect with a steaming cup.
Dumplings in red-bean soup
This traditional dessert is rich but not overly sweet. The glutinous soup is made with sugared red bean paste and pearls of soft dumplings. Osmanthus honey is mixed in at the end. It is a popular food in Nanjing and east China and carries the lucky meaning of 'family reunion'.
Steamed buns
Steamed buns, filled with anything you can chop finely and wrap in the light airy dough, are another common sight all over China. In Nanjing vegetables, like spinach takes preference and a bag of three to five of Shuijing Bao are a common breakfast or traveling companion.
Lotus Root Stuffed with Rice
Lotus root stuffed with rice is starchy and sweet. The lotus root is very porous and sucks up all of the sticky syrup and sweet osmanthus flavor making this more akin to a dessert than a side dish and can be served hot or cold. The latter if you really must hold it for dessert. Also walking the line of sweet and savory is Guihuatang Yumiao, a thick porridge of soft taro and dates.
Tea Egg
The spiced egg, Chaye Dan, can be found all over China. One of the great snack foods that are easy to carry. Fresh eggs are slowly steeped in a broth that includes tea and various spices for as long as twelve hours or more. The then hard-boiled eggs have a deep flavor of spice that is great any time of the day. The spiced beans were made popular by the scholars during the times of examinations and were not only eaten along the street but also at banquets.
Stinky Tofu
Now the pungent aroma of the bite-sized snack can be found wafting down every lane and is the most popular snack with locals. The "stinky" connotation is more like the bouquet of a fancy French cheese but far less shy and takes a minute to overcome before you try the tofu. In all honesty, it is really good and when served piping hot with a squirt of hot sauce over top it is a good cheap snack.
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