Timeline
04:48
Arrive at 樱之歌广场 and find a spot facing east-northeast. The memorial hall is 1.5 km away, so the sun will appear to rise from behind it. The line of sight is noted as unverified, so look for the silhouette against the brightening sky.
05:08
Watch the moment. On 14 May to 25 May, the sun rises directly behind the memorial. The light is soft and the air is cool. Stay for a few minutes to let the scene settle.
05:38
Nanjing Memorial Hall to Aviation Martyrs Killed in the War of Resistance Against Japan
Walk down from the viewing area to the memorial hall itself. The gate opens at 09:00. If you arrive before then, you can walk the grounds outside or head to a nearby café once the sun is fully up and the city wakes.
Local tip
The viewing spot is 26 minutes walk from the anchor. The memorial is closed on Mondays. Check the route from Wangjiawan metro station on Line 4 if you are coming from the city center.
Check before you go
- The memorial hall opens at 09:00.
- The memorial is closed on Mondays.
- The alignment only happens between 14 May and 25 May, and 19 Jul to 30 Jul.
- Line of sight from 樱之歌广场 is not verified, so manage expectations.
Worth knowing
- Sun position is calculated. We have not confirmed the view is unobstructed.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Nanjing (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).