Free things to do in Nanjing

20 places in Nanjing with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

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Art Museum of Nanjing University of the Arts (AMNUA)
南京艺术学院美术馆
The Art Museum of Nanjing University of the Arts is a contemporary exhibition space that integrates artistic display with academic research. Featuring modern, open galleries, it showcases works by faculty, students, and artists from around the world. The museum regularly hosts exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events, making it a vibrant hub of creativity in Nanjing.
09:00-17:30, closed on MondaysFree
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Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
中山陵
Resting place of the first president of China, who led the 1911 revolution that toppled China's last imperial dynasty. A beautifully designed complex that features a fusion of traditional Chinese and Western architectural styles. Closed on Mondays.
Free
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Jinghai Temple Museum
静海寺纪念馆
The first temple was built in 15th century to commemorate the voyages of Zheng He. In 1842, following China's defeat in the First Opium War, the Jinghai Temple was the venue for discussions between the British and the Qing government over the terms of the Treaty of Nanking. It was rebuilt twice due to being destroyed in the Taiping Rebellion and then in the Second World War. The current structures date from the late 20th and early 21st centuries. There are exhibitions about both Zheng He's voyages and the Treaty of Nanking.
08:30-17:30, no entry after 16:30, closed on MondaysFree
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John Rabe's former residence
拉贝旧居，拉贝故居, 拉贝与国际安全区纪念馆 John Rabe and International Safety Zone Memorial Hall
John Rabe (1882-1950) was a German businessman and Nazi party member who is widely celebrated in China for his efforts to protect civilians during the Japanese occupation. This house was his residence from 1932 to 1938. It is now a museum dedicated to telling the story of Rabe's life and the Nanjing International Safety Zone that he helped to establish and which is credited with saving thousands of lives.
08:30-16:30 (Mon to Fri). Visitors can also visit on the weekend if they make a booking in advanceFree
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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 MondaysFree
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Nanjing Geological Museum
南京地质博物馆
The Nanjing Museum of Geology is a comprehensive science museum dedicated to Earth history, minerals, fossils, and geological evolution. Featuring extensive collections of ancient fossils, mineral specimens, and interactive exhibits, the museum offers visitors an engaging way to explore the formation of the Earth and the development of life. It serves as an important educational and research center in Nanjing.
09:30-16:30 (Wed to Fri), 09:00-16:30 (Sat and Sun), closed on Mondays and TuesdaysFree
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Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall
侵华日军南京大屠杀遇难同胞纪念馆
A memorial for the hundreds of thousands of Chinese who died at the hands of Japanese troops in Nanjing during World War II. Two partially excavated mass-burial sites reveal victims remains in situ, accompanied by insightful information boards around the walkway. The elongated sites sympathetically restrained architecture and beautifully maintained gardens are interspersed with sculptures, murals and other artworks that inspire solemn meditations. Close to the entrance is the museum exhibiting multitudes of photos, videos and objects to tell the full story, somewhat even-handedly, that can easily occupy you for hours. Captions are in English, Chinese, and Japanese. Entrance lines can be long, so plan accordingly.
Tue-Sun 08:30-16:30Free
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Nanjing Memorial Hall to Aviation Martyrs Killed in the War of Resistance Against Japan
南京抗日航空烈士纪念馆, Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall
Dedicated to all those who fought and died during the aerial battles that were fought against the Japanese during the Second World War. The memorial hall is close to a cemetery where around 3500 aviation martyrs are buried, including 870 from China, 2197 from the US, 237 from the Soviet Union and 2 from Korea.
09:00-16:30, closed on MondaysFree (this site is not inside the park)
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Nanjing Museum
南京博物院
Eleven exhibition halls display a mixture of poetry, bronzes and silk artifacts interspersed with cultural displays. Worth pondering over are a jade burial suit and an arched door from the Ming era Porcelain Pagoda. A great place to spend humid or rainy days.
Tue-Fri and most public holidays 09:00-17:00, Mon 09:00-12:00, no entry in last 60 minutes, closed on the first day of Chinese New Year and on Chinese New Year's EveFree
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Nanjing Non-Government Museum of the War of Resistance Against Japan
南京民间抗日战争博物馆
A privately-run museum dedicated to the Second Sino-Japanese War.
09:00-16:00, closed on MondaysFree
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Ruins of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace
明故宫遗址
The palace was built by the first Ming Emperor in 1366 and stretched 2.5 km in length. It was completely destroyed in the Qing Dynasty and what remains barely hints at its size. In the tree shaded southern half are the small section of wall holding the huge arches of the Meridian Gate, five stone 'Outer Dragon' bridges and an array of megaliths, some baring fragments of carvings. The site was effectively a prototype of Beijing's Forbidden City as the layout was copied by the Emperors grandson when he moved the capital northwards in 1421.
Free
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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 winterFree
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Yangtze River Crossing Campaign Victory Memorial Hall
渡江胜利纪念馆
A museum about the capture of Nanjing by Communist forces in 1949.
09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on MondaysFree
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Yuhuatai Scenic Area
雨花台风景名胜区
The park contains a number of different sights, the best known of which is perhaps the Yuhuatai Matyrs' Cemetery (雨花台烈士陵园), which contains the remains of soldiers who fought in the Red Army during the Chinese Civil War. Sightseeing cars are available to take visitors around the park for ¥10.
Closed · opens 8 amGeneral admission is free but some sights within the park charge a fee ranging from ¥5 to ¥10
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Drum Tower of Nanjing
南京鼓楼
One of the city's major historical landmarks, the drum tower was first built during the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. It is now the centerpiece of a small park in the center of a traffic roundabout called Drum Tower Park. Visitors are reminded repeatedly not to hit the drums.
08:00-17:00, no entry after 16:45Free
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Jiangsu Art Museum (New Branch)
江苏省美术馆新馆
333 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District (玄武区长江路333号)
09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on MondaysFree
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Jiangsu Art Museum (Old Branch)
江苏省美术馆老馆
266 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District (玄武区长江路266号)
09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on MondaysFree
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Jinling Art Museum
金陵美术馆
50 Jianzi Lane, Qinhuai District (秦淮区剪子巷50号)
09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on MondaysFree
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Nanjing Science and Technology Museum
南京科技馆
9 Zixinghua Road, Yuhuatai District (雨花台区紫荆花路9号)
09:00-17:00, closed on Mondays and TuesdaysFree
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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).