Ancient Ming dynasty walls encircle this university city, where stone gates mark imperial tombs and students fill streets near the Confucius Temple and Zhongshan Mausoleum gardens.
Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province, combines 600-year-old Ming dynasty walls with contemporary architecture like the 450-meter Zifeng Tower. You can visit the Presidential Palace, hike the trails of Purple Mountain, or take an evening boat ride on the Qinhuai River. The Nanjing Museum displays 400,000 artifacts, while local restaurants around Fuzimiao serve distinctive Jinling duck dishes and soup dumplings.
Exploring Purple Mountain
Purple Mountain dominates the eastern part of Nanjing. The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (built in 1405) contains the tomb of the Ming Dynasty's first emperor, with stone statues of animals lining the Spirit Way. At the mountain's southern slope, you'll find the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum - climb 392 steps to reach the main building. The Linggu Temple complex includes a 60-meter pagoda with viewing platforms overlooking the forest and city.
Getting Around Nanjing
Ten metro lines connect the main districts and landmarks. High-speed trains link to Shanghai (1 hour) and Beijing (3.5 hours) from Nanjing Railway Station. The city has a comprehensive bus network, and you can rent bikes through bike-sharing apps. Didi (similar to Uber) operates throughout the city.
Local Food Scene
Jinling cooking methods focus on seasonal ingredients from the Yangtze River Delta. Try Nanjing salted duck, prepared using a salt-curing process that dates to the Ming Dynasty. The streets around the Fuzimiao district have restaurants serving duck blood soup and tangbao (soup dumplings). Night markets near Confucius Temple sell street food like beef pancakes and rice cakes.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Nanjing Museum's collection includes jade carvings, Ming porcelain, and Chinese paintings from multiple dynasties. Inside the Presidential Palace, you'll walk through early 20th-century government offices, residential quarters, and landscaped gardens. The Ming Dynasty City Wall runs for 34 kilometers - rent a bike to cycle along the top or walk sections for views across the city center.
Weather and Seasonal Activities
Summer temperatures reach 28°C (82°F) with high humidity. Winter brings cold, damp conditions averaging 3°C (37°F). Visit between March-May or September-November for mild weather and less rain. Pink plum blossoms appear across the city in March, while Purple Mountain's maple trees turn red and orange in October.
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