Things to do with kids in Nanjing

Things to do with kids in Nanjing

1. See

   Gan Family Compound

   Gan's Grand Courtyard, 甘家大院, 甘熙宅第, 甘熙故居 Gan Xi's former residence

   Built during the reign of the Jiaqing Emperor (1796-1820), this is the former residence of Gan Xi, a famous scholar and civil servant. It is said to be the largest traditional private residence in Nanjing and has over 300 rooms. The residence is administered by the Nanjing Folk Museum (南京市民俗博物馆) and has many exhibits on traditional Chinese culture.

   09:00-17:30, no entry after 17:00, closed on Mondays·¥20

2. Do

   Gingko Lake Pleasure Park

   银杏湖乐园, 银杏湖游乐园 Gingko Lake Amusement Park, 银杏湖休闲度假景区 Gingko Lake Holiday Resort

   Includes an amusement park, a golf course, a nature park, a shopping area and a hotel.

   amusement park: 09:30-17:00 (09:00-17:30 on public holidays), golf course: 05:30-17:00·¥260 (adults), ¥170 (students), ¥125 (persons over 60 and children between 1.2 and 1.5 metres in height). Children under 1.2 metres in height can get in for free

3. Eat

   Les 5 Sens

   乐尚法国餐厅

   French restaurant with a French chef and a cosy atmosphere, providing traditional and family homemade French dishes.

   11:30 to 22:00·¥38-119

4. See

   Liji Alley Comfort Station Site

   利济巷慰安所旧址

   The term 'comfort station' was a euphemism used by the Japanese army in World War II to refer to a brothel where so-called 'comfort women' were held captive and forced to render sexual services to Japanese soldiers. This particular comfort station was one of the largest in Asia. It is now a museum run by the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall. Entry is by appointment only. Visitors are required to make an appointment at least one day before visiting and cannot visit more than twice a month or more than 10 times a year. Due to the adult content of the exhibitions, children are not permitted inside the building.

   09:00-16:30, closed on Sundays and Mondays·Free

5. See

   Taiping Kingdom History Museum

   太平天国历史博物馆

   A small museum focusing on the Taiping Rebellion (1843-1868), a piece of history not well known in the West. This was one of the bloodiest conflicts in recorded history — some estimates put the death toll higher than for World War I, and it was certainly much worse than the American Civil War at about the same time, even though the Chinese used more primitive weapons. It was a crucial moment in China's relationship with the West, modernity, and its relationship to its own imperial history. It was partly a religious movement (see Christianity); the leader claimed to be God's second son, Jesus' younger brother. The quasi-Christian, peasant-led rebellion overran an area greater than Texas with Nanjing as its capital. At different times it threatened both the foreign settlements in Shanghai and the Qing government in Beijing, though it did not take either. On exhibit are documents relating to Taiping history and the grinding reduction of their movement by enterprising Qing generals and their European auxiliaries, culminating in the siege of Nanjing. Most documents and artifacts are replicas. Item descriptions are in Chinese and English, but only the Chinese text gives historical context and transcription of some of the handwritten documents. Next door are the beautiful Zhanyuan Gardens.

   Daily 08:00-17:30, 17:30-20:30·¥30 (day time), ¥70 (night time, with tour guide). Fees are waived for children and persons over 70. Visitors aged between 60 and 69 pay half price

6. See

   Xuanwu Lake

   玄武湖

   One of the lakes in Nanjing. There are three islands in the middle, all connected by causeways, equipped with a children's amusement park, a small zoo, and beautiful views of the city and Purple Mountain. Guests can also rent paddle boats. The lake's picturesque nature is a tribute to the beauty of Nanjing, which is so revered in China. free.

   7:00am-21：00pm

7. See

   Xuanwu Lake Park

   玄武湖公园

   One of Nanjing's lakes. Has three islands in the middle all linked by causeways, complete with an amusement park for kids, a small zoo, and lots of great views of the city and Purple Mountain. Paddle boats can be rented as well. The picturesque nature of this lake is a nod to the high esteem held within China of Nanjing's beauty.

   The Huanhu Road Area (环湖路区域) is open 24 hours a day. The Wuzhou Area (五洲区域) is open from 05:00 to 22:00 in summer and 06:00 to 21:00 in winter·Free

8. See

   Hongshan Forest Zoo

   红山森林动物园

   168 Heyan Road, Xuanwu District (玄武区和燕路168号)

   07:30-18:00, no tickets sold after 16:30·¥40 (adults), ¥20 (students and children over 1.4 metres in height). Children under 1.4 metres in height and adults over 60 may enter for free

9. See

   Nanjing Underwater World

   南京海底世界

   8 Sifangcheng, Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum Park, Xuanwu District (玄武区中山陵园四方城8号)

   08:30-17:00 (February 26th to November 25th), 09:00-16:30 (November 26th to February 25th)·¥150 (adults and children over 1.5 metres in height), ¥120 (children between 1.2 and 1.5 metres in height), ¥75 (persons aged between 60 and 69). Persons aged over 70 are granted free admission

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Nanjing (CC BY-SA 4.0).