Must-see attractions in Nanjing

  • Linggu pagoda

    Linggu Temple Scenic Area

    Nanjing

    This expansive temple complex contains one of the most historic buildings in Nanjing – the Beamless Hall (无梁殿, Wúliáng Diàn), built in 1381 entirely out…

  • NANJING, CHINA - 2014/11/12: Tourists take photos in front of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum. Sun's Mausoleum situated at the foot of Mount Zijin in Nanjing,  Sun is considered to be the "Father of Modern China" both in mainland China and Taiwan, as well as the founder of Republic of China.  As the Holy land of Chinese people both home and abroad, Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum attracts a lot of visitors every year. (Photo by Zhang Peng/LightRocket via Getty Images)

    Sun Yatsen Mausoleum

    Nanjing

    An astonishing sight at the top of an enormous stone stairway (a breathless 392 steps), Sun Yatsen's tomb is a mandatory stop for most visitors…

  • NANJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 19: (CHINA OUT) Visitors view the "Gold Guan Yin Bodhisattva Statue", made during the Warring States period (475 to 221 BC) at the Valuable Treasures Special Exhibition In Nanjing Museum on November 19, 2007 in Nanjing of Jiangsu Province, China. Eighteen priceless treasures were selected from the museum's 420,000 collections, dating back 5,000 years ago. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

    Nanjing Museum

    Nanjing

    This fabulous museum has three dramatically modern exhibition blocks alongside a traditional, temple-style hall. Exhibits range from 20th-century brush…

  • Wall Detail From The Xiaoling Mausoleum Near Nanjing, China

    Ming Xiaoling Tomb

    Nanjing

    Zhu Yuanzhang (1328–1398), the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty (also known as the Hongwu Emperor), was buried in the tomb of Ming Xiaoling; he was…

  • Qixia Temple

    Nanjing

    This sacred site on Qixia Mountain (栖霞山, Qīxiá Shān), 22km northeast of Nanjing, was founded by the Buddhist monk Ming Sengshao during the Southern Qi…

  • Zhan Garden

    Nanjing

    If you don't have time to get to Suzhou, visit this delightful Ming-dynasty garden complex that once housed Taiping officials. The on-site Taiping History…

  • Ming Xiaoling Scenic Area

    Nanjing

    This scenic area on Zijin Mountain has loads of opportunities for rambling, but the main attraction is Ming Xiaoling Tomb, the magnificent mausoleum of…

  • Zhōngyāng Gate

    Nanjing

    One of the original 13 Ming city gates, located in the north of town. The name means 'Central Gate'.

  • Yangzi River Bridge

    Nanjing

    Opened in 1968, the Yangzi River Bridge is one of the longest bridges in China – a double-decker with a 4.5km-long road on top and a train line below. The…

  • Meiling Palace

    Nanjing

    Named by Life magazine in 1937 as 'the most powerful woman in the world', Song Meiling (aka 'Madame Chiang') was the First Lady of the Republic of China …

  • Jiming Temple

    Nanjing

    The most active temple in Nanjing, Jiming Temple was first built in AD 527 during the Three Kingdoms period and has been rebuilt many times since.

  • Fūzǐ Miào

    Nanjing

    In the south of the city in a smartened-up pedestrian zone full of restaurants, the Confucian temple Fūzǐ Miào has been a centre of Confucian study for…

  • Ming Palace Ruins

    Nanjing

    Built by Zhu Yuanzhang in the 14th century, the imperial palace was reportedly a magnificent structure that served as a template for Beijing's Forbidden…

  • Presidential Palace

    Nanjing

    After the Taiping took over Nanjing, they built the Mansion of the Heavenly King (天王府, Tiānwáng Fǔ) on the foundations of a former Ming-dynasty palace…

  • Zhonghua Gate

    Nanjing

    Fourteenth-century Zhonghua Gate has four rows of gates, making it almost impregnable, and could house a garrison of 3000 soldiers in vaults in the front…

  • Jiuhuashan Park

    Nanjing

    This underrated park, just south of Xuanwu Lake, has a peaceful world-away feel and a delightful array of statues dotted around its leafy hills. The park…

  • Plum Blossom Hill

    Nanjing

    Near the entrance to the Míng Xiàolíng Tomb, this large copse of plum trees bursts into floral fragrance each spring, drawing crowds. It's the site of the…

  • Shence Gate

    Nanjing

    One of the original 13 Ming city gates, renovated in 2001. The gate is located in a small park in the north of town and is connected to Taiping Gate (5…

  • Nanjing University

    Nanjing

    This delightfully historic campus is worth a stroll to appreciate its traditional architecture, lovely trees and green spaces.

  • Jiefang Gate

    Nanjing

    One of the original 13 Ming city gates, which allows access to the walls.

  • Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall

    Nanjing

    The north section (北馆; ¥40) of this extensive subterranean museum, marked by the stunning reflection pool on Gongyuan Jie, has contemporary displays on…

  • Taiping Heavenly Kingdom History Museum

    Nanjing

    Hong Xiuquan, the Hakka leader of the quasi-Christian Taiping, had a palace built in Nanjing (then named Tianjing or 'Heavenly Capital'), but the building…

  • Xuanwu Lake Park

    Nanjing

    The glassy lake in this lovely, verdant 530-hectare park – backing onto the towering city wall – is studded with five interconnected isles scattered with…

  • Wuchaomen Park

    Nanjing

    Peaceful but maudlin Wuchaomen Park is home to the Ming Palace Ruins, and usually filled with locals practising ballroom dancing while saxophonists,…

  • Bridge Park

    Nanjing

    Visiting Bridge Park is probably the easiest way to get up onto the Yangzi River Bridge. Catch bus 67 from Jiangsu Lu, northwest of the Drum Tower (鼓楼;…

  • Zǐxiá Lake

    Nanjing

    A tree-lined pathway winds around pavilions and picnic grounds in the Míng Xiàolíng Scenic Area and ends at this scenic lake.

  • Nanjing Normal University

    Nanjing

    Established in 1902 and located in the centre of town; the lovely campus is well worth an exploration.

  • Zhongshan Gate

    Nanjing

    One of the original 13 Ming city gates in town, located in the east of town. There's not much to see of the gate itself but you can take the weathered…

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