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Nanjing Museum
One of the first and largest museums in China, housing over 400,000 artifacts. Its standout feature is the immersive "Republic of China Street," which authentically recreates the sights and sounds of 1930s Nanjing.
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Nestled on the majestic Purple Mountain, this grand architectural masterpiece honors Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the pioneer of China's democratic revolution. Climb the 392 granite steps for a breathtaking panoramic view of the lush forested surroundings.
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
A UNESCO World Heritage site and the grand tomb of the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty. The iconic Sacred Way, lined with massive stone statues of mythical beasts and generals, is especially stunning during autumn.
Usnisa Palace (Niushoushan)
A jaw-dropping modern architectural marvel built into an abandoned mining pit. This luxurious Buddhist cultural park houses the sacred parietal bone relic of Gautama Buddha beneath its futuristic, glittering domes.
Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall
A deeply moving and solemn memorial dedicated to the victims of 1937. The museum provides an extensive and historically critical narrative, serving as a powerful reminder of peace and resilience.
Sacred Way (Stone Statues Road)
The 800-meter Sacred Way leading to Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, lined with 12 pairs of stone animal statues (lions, camels, elephants, mythical beasts) and 4 pairs of warrior and minister figures. Best viewed during autumn ginkgo season.
Librairie Avant-Garde (Wutaishan)
Named "the most beautiful bookstore in China" by CNN and BBC. Housed in a former underground bomb shelter parking garage, this 4,000 sqm bookstore features a 10-meter cross, art gallery, café, and reading areas carved from raw concrete. A cultural landmark of Nanjing.
Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River
The cultural and historical heart of Nanjing. By day, explore ancient examination halls and the grand Confucius Temple. By night, take a painted boat cruise along the lantern-lit Qinhuai River to experience the romance of ancient China.
Jiangnan Imperial Examination Museum
Built on the site of the largest imperial examination hall in China. This four-story underground museum takes you through 1,300 years of the exam system, with authentic exam papers, cheating vests, and the cells where scholars wrote.
Qixia Mountain
Known as "the most beautiful mountain in Nanjing," famous for autumn red maples that draw crowds in November. Home to Qixia Temple (489 AD), one of China's oldest Buddhist temples, and the Thousand Buddha Cliff with 500+ stone carvings from the Southern Dynasties.
Purple Mountain Observatory
Founded in 1934, China's first modern astronomical observatory sits at 267m on Purple Mountain. Houses historic instruments including Ming-era bronze armillary spheres, and features a small astronomy museum. Still an active research facility and a popular sunset viewpoint.
Lao Men Dong
A restored historical district east of Zhonghua Gate, featuring Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Now a trendy cultural hub with craft shops, teahouses, Nanjing snack stalls, and boutique hotels. Less crowded than Confucius Temple and more authentic.
Yuejiang Tower
A 52m-tall tower on Lion Hill overlooking the Yangtze River, first proposed by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang in 1374 but not built until 2001. One of the "Four Famous Towers of Jiangnan." Features Ming-style architecture, a giant porcelain painting, and panoramic river views.
Hongshan Forest Zoo
Set entirely within a forested hill, this is China's leading zoo for animal welfare, famous for its natural habitats without cages. Home to 3,000+ animals of 260+ species, including the world's largest panda exhibit and innovative primate islands.
Librairie Avant-Garde
Housed in a former underground bomb shelter, this iconic bookstore is regularly ranked among the world's most beautiful. Its 4,000 sqm tunnel of books, bordered by a 30-meter-long philosophical mural, is a pilgrimage for readers.
Jiming Temple
One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Nanjing, perched elegantly on a hill near Xuanwu Lake. In springtime, the road leading up to the temple becomes a breathtaking tunnel of blooming cherry blossoms.
Plum Blossom Hill
China's largest plum blossom garden with over 35,000 trees of 200+ varieties. Each February-March, the hill erupts into a sea of pink and white. The site also contains the tomb of Sun Quan, king of Eastern Wu.
Yihe Road Republic Era District
A 1.2-kilometer tree-lined boulevard preserving 225 Republic-era (1912-1949) villas in 9 different architectural styles. Once home to KMT generals and diplomats, today it is Nanjing's most photogenic historic street, framed by golden plane trees.
Jiangsu Horticultural Expo Garden
A 330-hectare garden showcase of all 13 Jiangsu cities, built on the site of an abandoned quarry. Features 13 themed gardens, underwater restaurant, and a 4-km sightseeing railway through restored ecological landscapes.
Zhongshan Botanical Garden
A 186-hectare botanical garden established in 1929, the first national botanical garden in China. Contains over 10,000 plant species, a renowned rose garden, a tropical greenhouse, and a ginkgo grove. Famous for cherry blossoms in spring and red leaves in autumn.
Nanjing Ming City Wall
Built by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang in the 14th century, this is one of the longest and best-preserved ancient city walls in the world. Walking or cycling along its ancient bricks offers a unique perspective of the city's skyline and lakes.
Presidential Palace
A massive complex that served as the nerve center for modern Chinese history. It beautifully blends classical Chinese gardens with Western-style architecture, having housed top officials from the Taiping Rebellion through the Republic of China era.
Xuanwu Lake Park
An expansive urban oasis located right against the ancient city walls. Rent a paddleboat to explore its five interconnected islands, or simply enjoy a leisurely sunset stroll among weeping willows and lotus ponds.
Meiling Palace
Former residence of Soong Mei-ling, wife of Chiang Kai-shek. This 1930s villa, shaped like a giant emerald necklace from above, blends traditional Chinese rooflines with Western interior design. Its ceiling paintings by French artists are a highlight.
Linggu Temple
A 1,500-year-old Buddhist temple moved here during the Ming Dynasty. The beamless Hall (Wuliang Hall) built in 1373 requires no pillars, and the 9-story Linggu Pagoda offers panoramic views of Purple Mountain.
Zhan Garden
Nanjing's oldest surviving classical garden, dating to the 1530s. Once the residence of Xu Da, a Ming founding general. Known for its Taihu rockeries, zigzag corridors, and the world's oldest tiger-shaped stone.
Dabaoen Temple Ruins
Site of a 600-year-old imperial temple with a modern glass tower built over the ruins. Contains an underground palace with Buddha's parietal bone relic, and a stunning light-and-shadow exhibition of Buddhist art.
Zhonghua Gate
The largest existing ancient castle-style city gate in the world, built in 1366. This 4-layer defensive complex has 27 arched tunnels that once hid 3,000 soldiers. Climb to the top for views of the city wall and Qinhuai River.
Oriental Metropolitan Museum
Designed by I.M. Pei's architectural firm, this museum showcases artifacts from the Six Dynasties (222-589 AD) when Nanjing was China's capital. Highlights include celadon ware, murals, and a recreated Six Dynasties street.
Music Stage
A 1933 open-air amphitheater built against Purple Mountain, designed to blend Western classical architecture with Chinese garden design. Surrounded by forest, the stage hosts music performances and is famous for its thousands of white doves.
Gan Family Mansion
The largest and best-preserved Qing Dynasty private residence in Nanjing, with 300 rooms spanning 21,000 sqm. Known as the "Ninety-Nine and a Half Rooms," it was home to the prominent Gan family and now houses the Nanjing Folk Museum.
Ginkgo Lake Theme Park
A 180-hectare eco-theme park built around a ginkgo forest, combining amusement rides, water sports, and natural ecology. Highlights include a 40-meter drop tower, a 2-km roller coaster through ginkgo trees, and migratory bird watching on the lake.
Nanjing Happy Valley
A 6-hectare amusement park operated by OCT Group, with 40+ rides including a 60-meter wooden roller coaster, the country's longest rapids ride, and family-friendly themed zones. Opened in 2020.
Ziqing Lake Wildlife World
A 100-hectare drive-through wildlife park where visitors can observe 10,000+ animals of 200+ species from a car or train. Highlights include Yangtze alligators, Siberian tigers, and a panda pavilion with 5 giant pandas.
Tangshan Quarry Park
A 40-hectare park transformed from an abandoned limestone quarry into a stunning eco-recreation space. Features a 130-meter-long waterfall cascading down the quarry wall, a glass walkway, and hot spring pools.
Yuzui Wetland Park
A 64-hectare Yangtze River wetland at the southern tip of Hexi New Town. Known for its reed marshes, observation tower, and large flocks of migratory birds. Sunset views of the Yangtze are spectacular.
Nanjing Geology Museum
Founded in 1935, one of China's oldest geology museums. Houses 20,000 specimens including a complete Tyrannosaurus skeleton, the world's largest piece of Cuprite (35 carats), and a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite.
Zheng He Cultural Park (Niushoushan)
Adjacent to Usnisa Palace, this park honors Admiral Zheng He with a museum of his seven voyages (1405-1433). Includes a replica of his 137-meter treasure ship, navigation instruments, and artifacts recovered from the routes.
Boai Archway
The grand entrance archway to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, built in 1931. The 12m-tall stone archway bears the calligraphy "博爱" (Universal Love) by Sun Yat-sen himself. The starting point of the 392-step approach to the mausoleum.
Jiangnan Gongyuan (Exam Hall)
The physical remains of China's largest imperial exam hall, built in 1168. At its peak it held 20,644 tiny exam cells where scholars wrote for days. Some cells are preserved above the new underground museum.
Laomendong Historic Block
A restored 600-year-old neighborhood near Zhonghua Gate, named for its location east of the old city gate. Today it blends Ming-Qing architecture with bookshops, teahouses, traditional snacks, and lantern displays at night.
Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge
Completed in 1968, this 4,588-meter double-deck bridge was the first major bridge across the Yangtze designed and built entirely by China. Its 70-meter-high bridgeheads feature statues and bas-reliefs of workers and soldiers.
Jiangning Imperial Silk Museum
On the site of the imperial silk workshop managed by Cao Yin (grandfather of Dream of the Red Chamber author Cao Xueqin). The museum recreates the Qing-era workshop, gardens, and the Cao family residence.
Chaotian Palace
Nanjing Museum's main branch housed in a magnificent Ming-era palace. The complex was the imperial audience hall where officials paid respects to the emperor. Today it displays Nanjing's 5,000-year history.
Pearl Spring Scenic Area
A 14 sqkm nature reserve in Pukou District, named for a spring whose bubbles look like pearls. Features bamboo forests, a 30-meter waterfall, a 1,000-meter-long glass-bottomed cliff walkway, and ancient Buddhist cliff carvings from the Liang Dynasty.
Zifeng Tower
Nanjing's tallest building at 450 meters, with a 72-story mixed-use complex designed by SOM. The 81st-floor observation deck offers 360-degree views of the city, Yangtze River, and Purple Mountain. The lower floors house a luxury mall.
Yangshan Stele
The site of the largest stele ever attempted, abandoned in 1405 during the Yongle Emperor's reign. Three massive stone blocks—body, head, and base—lie abandoned in the quarry. The body alone weighs 8,799 tons, making it an engineering marvel of the Ming Dynasty.
Yangtze River Bridge Park
A 4-hectare park at the south end of the 1968 Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge, offering the best vantage point for viewing the bridge and the 70-meter-high bridgehead towers. Features historic photos and the original bridge cornerstone.
Tangshan Yishang Hot Spring
A 5-star hot spring resort in the Tangshan mountains, with 50+ outdoor pools fed by a 1,500-year-old geothermal spring. Water temperatures reach 65°C, rich in minerals. Known as one of China's top four hot springs since the Tang dynasty.
Qingliangshan Park
A serene hillside park dating to the Five Dynasties (937), once a summer retreat of the Southern Tang emperor. Known for the Chongzheng Academy, ancient ginkgo trees, and stone cliff carvings from the Qing dynasty.
Lovers Garden
A 30-hectare botanical garden adjacent to Xuanwu Lake, themed around romance with flower gardens, a wedding chapel, and heart-shaped paths. Famous for tulips in April and sunflowers in September.
Jinghai Temple
Built in 1411 by Emperor Zhu Di to honor Zheng He's voyages, this temple was the site where the 1842 Treaty of Nanking (ceding Hong Kong) was negotiated. Now a memorial museum to the treaty and Zheng He.
Shigu Road Catholic Church
Nanjing's oldest Catholic church, founded in 1870 by French Jesuits. The current 1928 brick Gothic building features twin spires, stained-glass windows, and survived the Cultural Revolution intact.
Shitang Village
A 900-year-old village in the mountains of Jiangning District, known as "Jiangsu's Jiuzhaigou." Features bamboo forests, restored Ming-era homes turned into guesthouses, and the crystal-clear Shitang Stream.
Zhimaling Forest
A 733-hectare primeval forest reserve in Luhe District, home to Nanjing's only natural fir forest. Hiking trails wind through 300-year-old trees, streams, and waterfalls, with wild boar and pheasant sightings.
Tiansheng Bridge
A 34-meter-long natural stone bridge over the Yanzhi River, carved by nature 50,000 years ago. The Ming emperor Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the Yanzhi River cut through rock, creating China's only surviving natural canal.
Yanziji Park (Swallow Cliff)
A 36-meter cliff jutting into the Yangtze, named for its swallow-like shape. Once a notorious suicide spot until educator Tao Xingzhi placed a "Think Again" sign in 1931. Now a peaceful park with river views.
Changsheng Deer Park
A deer sanctuary inside the Purple Mountain scenic area, home to over 100 sika deer. Visitors can feed and interact with the deer in a forested setting. Originally the imperial hunting ground of the Ming dynasty, now a family-friendly nature attraction.
Liuhui Pavilion
A beautiful waterside pavilion built in 1932 on the shore of Liuhui Lake within Purple Mountain. Designed by architect Lu Yanzhi, its reflection in the lake creates a perfect postcard scene. One of the "Ten Sights of Zhongshan" and a tranquil rest stop on the hiking trail.
Yuhuatai Scenic Area
A 153-hectare scenic and memorial park south of the city wall. Site of the execution of over 100,000 communists and patriots (1927-1949), now a national memorial with a museum, monument, and gardens. Also famous for Yuhua pebbles and plum blossoms.
Bailu Island Park
A 16-hectare classical garden on the Qinhuai River, once the estate of a Ming dynasty noble. Known for its 13 scenic spots, zigzag bridges, and the annual lantern festival during Chinese New Year.
Nanjing Eye Bridge
A striking cable-stayed pedestrian bridge opened in 2014, with two 85-meter towers nicknamed "Nanjing Eye." It spans the Yangtze River connecting Hexi New Town to Jiangxinzhou Island, offering spectacular sunset views.
Yuhuatai Memorial
A 153-hectare memorial park honoring revolutionary martyrs. Beyond its historical significance, the park is famous for Yuhua pebbles—colorful agate stones unique to this region, displayed in a dedicated museum.
Treasure Shipyard Ruins Park
Site of the world's largest medieval shipyard where Admiral Zheng He's treasure fleet was built in the early 15th century. Features ancient dry docks, an anchor recovered from the Yangtze, and a museum with replicas of the massive 137-meter-long treasure ships.
Ming Palace Ruins Park
Remnants of the imperial palace Zhu Yuanzhang built when he founded the Ming Dynasty in 1368. Beijing's Forbidden City was modeled on this palace. Today, only the foundation stones, gates, and five marble bridges remain, but the scale is awe-inspiring.
Hongyang Happy World
A 6-hectare indoor-outdoor amusement park in the Hongyang Plaza mall. The 48-meter indoor Ferris wheel is the world's tallest, alongside 30+ rides, water park, and ice rink—making it the largest indoor theme park in East China.
Pukou Railway Station
Built in 1914, this English-style station was the southern terminus of the Tianjin-Pukou Railway. Abandoned in 2004, its preserved platforms and waiting hall have appeared in numerous Chinese films, making it a pilgrimage for movie fans.
Laopukou 1914 Block
A restored 1914-era commercial street near Pukou Station, blending Republic-era brick architecture with modern cafés, bookshops, and art galleries. A quieter alternative to the city center for culture lovers.
Gulin Park
A 22-hectare park built in 1982 on the site of an ancient temple. Famous for its 5,000 peony trees (Nanjing's largest collection), blooming pink and white in April. Also offers a bonsai garden and a 100-year-old camphor forest.
Xiamafang Ruins Park
The 2.8-hectare archaeological park marking the original entrance to Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. Officials had to dismount their horses here (hence "dismount memorial arch"). Restored in 2007 with stone statues, the original arch, and Ming-era pathways.
Chongzheng Academy
A 1556 Ming-era academy inside Qingliangshan Park, dedicated to the worship of Confucius. Restored in 1980, its courtyards feature calligraphy by Ming scholars and the city's oldest surviving school inscription.
Beiji Ge (North Pole Pavilion)
A 70-meter hill with a 1,600-year history of astronomical observation. The current pavilion dates to the Ming dynasty, and the site houses China's oldest meteorological observatory, founded in 1928.
Xiaotaoyuan Park
A riverside park along the outer Qinhuai River, named for the peach trees that bloom pink each March. The 1.2-km walkway connects the ancient city wall to Mochou Lake, popular for evening strolls.
Heping Park (Peace Park)
A 5-hectare urban park near the Presidential Palace, dedicated to world peace. Built in 1951, it features a central lake, a peace sculpture, and the city's largest rose garden with 12,000 bushes of 200 varieties.
Tianfei Palace
A 1407 temple built by Emperor Zhu Di in gratitude to the sea goddess Mazu for protecting Zheng He's fleet. Restored in 2005, it houses a 9-meter-tall Mazu statue and exhibits on the treasure voyages.
Gulou Park (Drum Tower)
A Ming dynasty drum tower built in 1382, used to sound the time and announce emergencies. The 9-meter-tall tower on a 40-meter stone platform now houses a small museum, surrounded by gardens.
Fangshan Dinglin Temple
A 1,500-year-old temple on a 208-meter extinct volcano, with a famous leaning pagoda tilting 5.3 degrees (more than Pisa). The Song-era pagoda and the volcanic geology make this a unique blend of nature and history.
Jiangxinzhou Island
A 15-square-kilometer Yangtze River island connected by the Nanjing Eye pedestrian bridge. Once agricultural, it's transforming into an eco-park with cycling paths, vineyards, and waterfront promenades.
Fengcai Mancheng Garden
A 150-hectare botanical theme park in Pukou District, planted with 1 million maple and flower trees across four seasons. Known for its autumn maple festival, tulip fields in spring, and lavender sea in summer.
Yunyou Valley
A 200-hectare mountain resort in Lishui District, centered on a 1,500-meter bamboo valley. Features glass-bottomed canyon walks, a 99-meter waterfall, and Daoist temples dating to the Yuan dynasty.
Juhuatai Park
A 22-hectare park in Yuhuatai District named for its autumn chrysanthemum show. Home to the Nine Martyrs Memorial, a 6-meter-tall monument honoring journalists killed during the Anti-Japanese War, and the city's largest bamboo grove.
Pukou Fenghuangshan Park
A 30-hectare hillside park on the north bank of the Yangtze, named for the phoenix myth. Features a 1930s Republic-era Western-style villa, the Pukou Railway History Museum, and panoramic river views.
Jiangning District Museum
A museum showcasing 5,000 years of Jiangning history, from the Neolithic to the Republic era. Housed in a restored Ming dynasty ancestral hall, with notable collections of Eastern Han pottery and Tang three-color ware.
Wuchaomen Park
The surviving southern gate of the Ming Imperial Palace, built in 1368. Its 5-arch gate and 50-meter stone foundation are the best-preserved parts of the palace. Famous for its golden wisteria blooms in April.
Yanzhi River
A 7.5-km canal dug in 1393 by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang to connect the Qinhuai and Shijiu lakes. Called "Rouge River" after the red rock through which it was cut. Flanked by 50-meter cliffs, best seen by boat.
Santai Cave
A 3-level limestone cave in Yanziji scenic area, with stalactites, an underground river, and a Buddhist shrine carved into the cave wall. The cave is famous for its 18 Luohan statues and seasonal bat colony.
Toutai Cave
The first of three caves at Yanziji, dating to the 6th century Liang dynasty. Contains the largest collection of Buddhist cliff carvings in Nanjing, including a 4-meter-tall Maitreya carved into the cave entrance.
Dacheng Hall
The main hall of Nanjing Confucius Temple, originally built in 1034 and rebuilt in 1984. Houses a towering statue of Confucius surrounded by jade walls inscribed with the Analects. The courtyard features bronze statues of Confucius' 72 disciples.
Bailuzhou Park
A 15-hectare garden park on an island in the Qinhuai River, built in 1929 on the site of a Ming dynasty estate. Named after the egrets that once gathered here. Features traditional pavilions, lotus ponds, bridges, and hosts lantern festivals during Chinese New Year.
Boai Square (Boai Arch)
The 12-meter-tall three-gate marble archway marking the entrance to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. Built in 1931, its "Boai" (Universal Love) inscription in Dr. Sun's own calligraphy symbolizes his philosophy.
Lulong Villa
A 1920s villa complex once the residence of warlord Feng Yuxiang. The 14 Western-style buildings and gardens have been restored, with exhibits on Republic-era Nanjing life and military history.
Xiuqiu Park (Hydrangea Park)
A small 4-hectare park at the foot of Lion Hill, named for the hydrangea-like shape of its lake. Built in 1952, it offers classic Jiangnan garden design with pavilions and rockeries popular with locals.
Nanhu Park
A 17-hectare urban lake park in Jianye District, completed in 1985. Popular with locals for its 1.2-km lake walkway, morning tai chi, and the lake-side caf\u00e9s. The park undergoes seasonal flower rotations.
Li Xiangjun's Former Residence
The former residence of Li Xiangjun (1624-1654), a famous Ming dynasty courtesan immortalized in "The Peach Blossom Fan." This riverside house showcases her life, Ming-era furniture, and the story of her tragic love with scholar Hou Fangyu.
Longxiang Shuangfan Village
A rural tourism village in Jiangning District, composed of two adjacent settlements (Upper Fan and Lower Fan). Known for tea gardens, bamboo forests, and traditional farmhouses converted into guesthouses. A weekend retreat for hiking, tea tasting, and agritourism.
Wuyi Alley
A historic alley famous for the Tang dynasty poem "Ugly Clothes Alley" by Liu Yuxi. Once home to the powerful Wang and Xie families of the Eastern Jin dynasty. Now a restored cultural lane with the Wang Dao and Xie An Memorial Hall displaying Six Dynasties artifacts.
Taoye Ferry
A historic ferry crossing on the Qinhuai River where calligrapher Wang Xianzhi (344-386) escorted his concubine Taoye. Now a small scenic area with stone carvings, willow trees, and a restored ancient ferry dock. Featured in many classical poems.
Gutong Alley
A 200-meter historic alley in the Lao Men Dong area, named after the barrel-makers (箍桶匠) who worked here during the Ming dynasty. Now restored with traditional shops selling local crafts, silk products, and Nanjing-style snacks.