Nanjing Travel Guide

Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu Province, and in the past it was the capital of several empires and of the Republic of China. Nanjing means “Southern Capital.” It has alternated with Beijing as the capital of big empires and of modern governments. Beijing means Northern Capital. In the past, it was a prominent city, and its rulers benefited from the partial control of trade on the big and long Yangtze River that allowed trade vessels to travel from Sichuan in the west of China to Shanghai and the Pacific Ocean. During the Ming Empire, it was the largest city in China. Now it is a city of about 8 million people, and it isn’t considered one of the bigger cities in China. The remains of the empires of the past can be toured all over the city, and the nearby Purple Mountain (Zijinshan) area has many historical, cultural, and religious sites to visit. You can also go there for walks or to exercise in the parks and natural areas. Nanjing is an important destination in a tour of China. The highlights include Purple Mountain, the Mausoleum of Sun Yat-Sen, Confucius Temple, Mingxiaoling Mausoleum, Qinhuai River, the Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre, Linggu Temple, the Presidential Palace and Mochou Lake.

The government has built museums and memorials to Sun Yat-Sen and his revolution and the Chinese who died during the Japanese occupation. There is also a memorial for the thousands of American airmen who died defending China. Many ancient historical sites in the city and on Purple Mountain including Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum are preserved and developed for visitors.

One very good distinction of the city is that it is reported to have about the lowest crime rate in China. Another distinction is that it has the biggest inland port in China that can handle big ocean-going ships. What is called the biggest train station in Asia is being built in the southern part of the city at the Nanjing South Train Station, and one of the world’s fastest trains is being built to connect it with Beijing.

Location: On the Yangtze River near the western border of Jiangsu Province. It is about 300 kilometers (200 miles) from the sea and Shanghai. It is on the southern side of the Yangtze that protected the city from enemies in the north. In the area of Nanjing, the Yangtze River flows from the southwest to the northeast.

Features:

  1. Purple Mountain that has Sun Yat-Sen’s Mausoleum Mingxiaoling Mausoleum, Linggu Temple, other historical sites and temples and natural places.
  2. Qinhuai River
  3. The Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre
  4. Confucius Temple
  5. Mochou Lake
  6. The Yangtze River Bridge that was built in 1968 is the longest in China (6,705 meters).
  7. Yangtze River Cruises

Touring Activities:

  1. Learn about the history of China.
  2. See the sites.
  3. Go on a Yangtze River cruise ship or tour the area by boat.
  4. Enjoy the Purple Mountain and Qixia Mountain scenic areas.

Traveling Information:

Best Time to Visit: During the months of May and September, October and November when it is warm but there isn’t the heaviest monsoon rain.

Transportation: Nanjing is served by bullet trains, and they are convenient and economical compared to flying from or to Shanghai, Wuxi, Suzhou and Hangzhou. Many more routes are under construction, and they are planned to begin operation in the next four years.


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Q: Elizebeth Asked on 2013-04-10 Reply
hi i am planning to attend college in Nanjing i heard a lot about Beijing but not much about Nanjing what can you tell me about the city?

Hi Elizebeth, you can get a brief overview of Nanjing via here: http://www.chinahighlights.com/nanjing/

Whitney Liao Replied on 2013-04-12
Q: Catherine Asked on 2013-03-11 Reply
Hello,I am planning a trip to Nanjing in May, we will be there for three days only and I was wondering how much money I need to budget for whilst I am there. The hotel is booked so it will just be spending money to include food. Many thanks Catherine

Hi Catherine, it is about CNY800-900 per day for a group of 2 persons, excluding hotels.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2013-03-12
Q: yinxy Asked on 2013-03-10 Reply
嗨!你好!我们会在三月尾到南京遊玩。我打算遊玩南京及附近名胜地方。我想您请教您帮我设计一下南京的旅程。飞机与住宿将由我自己安排,飞机是马航,酒店是夫子庙。我们计划两天只在南京玩,还有另两天可以继续遊玩南京或附近名胜地。请您帮我们安排旅程及价钱。前两天旅程将会是三个大人及一个小孩子,后两天会是四个大人及一个小孩。谢谢!

Hi Yinxy, 您好!

谢谢您的咨询。 请问您的孩子多大了?您是想要英文导游还是中文导游? 您能否告航班的抵离时间以及出入境城市?谢谢!

Whitney Liao Replied on 2013-03-11
Q: Hazel Yep Asked on 2013-01-22 Reply
First time to China myself; plan to take my family along. Our interested cities are Nanking and Beijing. What would be the best way to cover these cities? We can join tours but also would like to stay an extra day or two to do some self explore. What is the best way to travel around within these cities? Where would be good place to book day tours ie. at the hotel, local travel representative, etc.?

Dear Hazel,
Thanks for your question.
As a travel agency in China, we glad to arrange tour to cover Beijing and Nanjing. We can arrange group tour in Beijing and private tour in Nanjing (no group tour available) to save your money.  It is no problem to add one or two free days in Beijing or Nanjing if you need. Please feel free let me know your tour dates and how many days you will spend for this trip. The best and economy way to travel between these cities is by taking the high-speed train (4 hours one way) and I also can combine the train into your itinerary. I will get back to you with a detail quotation once I hear from you.
Nancy
 

Nancy Deng Replied on 2013-01-23
Q: kevin b. Asked on 2013-01-07 Reply
I plan to have a trip very soon in Nanjing for several days, and I am looking for a guide who can speak french. Please tell me asap how I can contact one. Thanks

We don't have French speaking guide in Nanjing. You should hire one from translator company, the price is about US$160 per day(8 hrs).  You can contact the following phone number: 86 25 85136666.

Leon Long Replied on 2013-01-08