Sights and landmarks in Nanjing

Sights and landmarks in Nanjing

1. See

   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 Mondays·Free

2. See

   Caoqiao Mosque

   草桥清真寺

   The mosque traced its origin during Qianlong Emperor of Qing Dynasty.

3. See

   City Wall of Nanjing

   城墙

   The City Wall of Nanjing was designed by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (r. 1368-1398) after he founded the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and established Nanjing as the capital. To consolidate his sovereignty and keep out invaders, he adopted the suggestions of advisor Zhu Sheng to build a higher city wall, to collect grain and to postpone the coronation. Building the wall took 21 years, and involved 200,000 laborers to move 7 million m³ of earth. The city wall is the most complete one in China, after decades of erosion, vandalism and destruction.

4. See

   Confucius Temple

   Fuzimiao (夫子庙)

   Once an imperial examination testing center for the entire Jiangsu region, this museum comprises a tiny fraction of the once-massive original buildings. The rest of the site is a massive, labyrinthine market; a top tourist draw in Nanjing and a place where you can get all your haggling out of your system. Get your picture taken with the Confucius sculpture and grab some tea on one of the gondolas on the canal. On the southern side of town next to Zhonghua Gate and the Taiping Museum.

5. See

   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

6. See

   Former site of Japanese Shinto shrine

   日本神社旧址

   Built in 1939 by the Imperial Japanese Army during their occupation of the city. The shrine, officially known as the Nanjing Shrine (南京神社), was one of the largest Shinto shrines the Japanese built on Chinese soil. It was also one of the very few that was not demolished after the war. Today the site is being used as an activity centre for retired Communist Party cadres, so you might not be able to enter the building, but viewing it from the outside should be okay.

7. 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

8. See

   Great Bao'en Temple Ruins Park

   大报恩寺遗址公园, 大报恩寺遗址景区

   Once one of Nanjing's greatest Buddhist temples, the Great Bao'en Temple was destroyed by the Taiping rebels when they occupied the city in the mid-19th century. There is now a museum at the site. The Porcelain Tower, which is said to have been one of the seven wonders of the medieval world, has been reconstructed and affords great views over the city.

   Closed · opens 9 am·¥120 (discounted to ¥80 if you buy the ticket on the website)

9. See

   Jiefang Gate

   Access to the Taicheng section of the City Wall, offering panoramic views of Xuanwu Lake and Jiming Temple.

10. See

    Jiming Temple

    鸡鸣寺

    Jiming Temple is the most popular temple in Nanjing and it is located convenient to downtown.

    Tickets are ¥10, which includes 3 free incense with every ticket. Price may rise during popular seasons (e.g., Spring Festival)

11. See

    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 Mondays·Free

12. See

    Jinjue Mosque

    净觉寺

    The mosque traced its origin during the Hongwu Emperor of Ming Dynasty in 1388.

13. See

    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 advance·Free

14. 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

15. See

    Meihuashan

    formerly

    After Wang Jingwei was buried here Wu Wangfen was renamed Meihuashan.

    ¥70 area ticket which includes the Ming Tomb, Plum Blossom Hill, PlumValley Arts Building Red, Purple Cloud Lake 5 attractions

16. See

    Meiling Palace

    美龄宫

    A stately mansion named after Chiang Kai-Shek's wife Song Mei-ling. This was one of Chiang Kai-Shek's official residences in the 1930s and 1940s. The building has been fully restored and is open to the public. There is a book store and cafe on the second floor. The basement level displays paintings made by Soong Mei-Ling.

    07:30-18:00, no tickets sold after 17:30·¥30

17. See

    Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

    明孝陵

    The most famous Ming-era site of Nanjing, Ming Xiaoling is the mausoleum complex of Zhu Yuanzhang, also known as the Hongwu Emperor, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Most of the monuments are lined up along the mile-long Sacred Way (shendao), which runs from the Square Pavilion (Sifangcheng) with its giant bixi turtle to the artificial hill under which is the emperor's burial chamber. Look out for the stone camels and elephants of the sacred way, as well as for the site's second turtle - homage of the Kangxi Emperor, the greatest emperor of the Qing dynasty, to his Ming predecessor. The site's third turtle - the least known of the three, but the biggest and most mysterious - was found in a nearby ravine in the late 20th century, and is now installed in the Red Chamber Culture Park (红楼艺文苑 Honglou Yiwen Yuan), which is located just east of the main Ming Xiaoling complex, and can be visited on the same ticket. ¥70, open on Monday

18. See

    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 Tuesdays·Free

19. See

    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 08:30-16:30·Free

20. See

    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 Mondays·Free (this site is not inside the park)

21. See

    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 Eve·Free

22. See

    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 Mondays·Free

23. See

    Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge

    南京长江大桥

    This 6-km bridge over the Yangtze has sculptures that are classics of Chinese sociallist art; with workers and farmers carrying tools, soldiers carrying weapons, and all of them holding books, most likely Quotations of Chairman Mao Zedong (better known as The Little Red Book). The bridge was built after Soviet advisors left China during the Sino-Soviet Split of the 1960s, and is therefore the first major project built entirely by Chinese, without foreign help. The bridge is walkable in about an hour, but this is not recommended. Pedestrians share a narrow sidewalk with bicycles and electric scooters going in the same direction.

24. See

    Pearl Spring Scenic Area

    珍珠泉风景区

    A tourist resort area featuring a variety of natural and manmade attractions, including a walkable replica of a section of the Great Wall of China. Accommodation is available on site.

    08:00-17:00 (main scenic area), 08:00-16:00 (wildlife park), 10:00-18:00 (Water World), 09:00-16:30 (Ice World)·¥40 (general admission), ¥60 (wildlife park), ¥60 (Ice World), ¥100 (Water World), ¥80 (cable car ride), ¥100 (cable car ride + Great Wall)

25. See

    Presidential Palace

    总统府

    Spend half a day exploring the headquarters of past emperors and the Nationalist government. The Palace includes the former offices of many top governmental officials, including Chiang Kai-shek and Sun Yat-sen, as well as the former residence of Sun Yat-sen. It is one of the few places in mainland China where the flag of the Republic of China still flies. Informational placards around the palace are partly in English. You will need to show your passport to buy a ticket.

    08:00-18:00 in summer, 08:00-17:00 in winter. Closed on Mondays·¥40

26. See

    Qixia Temple

    栖霞寺

    A one-time retreat for Emperor QianLong, the temple at the foot of maple forested hillside now draws hoards of less exulted visitors to clamber along the network of trails connecting fancifully named pavilions, ponds, tombs and natural stone features. The temple itself is not extensive, having only a pair of identical looking bell and drum towers in front of an austerely large hall, embedded with elegant lacquer-red window frames, containing a relatively contemporary, yet gracefully benevolent looking gigantic Buddha seated on a golden lotus. At the rear of the hall is a pair of intricately carved cabinets of a more impressively authentic vintage housing stone Buddha and Guanyin statues. The temple allegedly has an ancient bone relic purported to be from the historical Buddha, though it is kept well hidden. Further up the hill is a cluster of stone formations bifurcated by a steep canyon, believed to have been split in antiquity by mystical forces, that enables accent up a stair way to a pavilion and a high view over the valley. Higher up the hill are the crumbling remnants of group of buildings used by Qianlong’s army. The best time to visit is during autumn when the maple trees are radiating orange or Spring when the peach blossoms are loaded with pink and white flowers.

    Closed · opens 7 am·¥40

27. See

    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

28. 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

29. See

    The Gate of China (Zhonghuamen)

    中华门

    The southern gate of Nanjing's city wall; this massive gate is one of the best preserved parts of Nanjing's city wall, and one of the best remaining examples of early Ming defensive architecture extant anywhere. The wooden castle at top was destroyed by fire, but the immense masonry (each complete with the mason's name and home province by order of the emperor) substructure remains. Two courtyards contain an archery range and vegetable gardens. The main gate has three immense depots within where, long emptied of provisions, you can find some scale models and exhibits about the gate. In one depot you can find an air raid siren used during the Japanese attack on the city.

    ¥50 to enter

30. See

    The tomb of Sun Quan

    孙权墓

    Tomb of Sun Quan, a late Han Dynasty general and leader of the state of Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. The presence of his tomb is the reason why the Sacred Way of the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is not straight.

31. 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

32. 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

33. See

    Yangshan Quarry

    阳山碑材

    The three sections of a gigantic stele, which the Yongle Emperor commissioned for the mausoleum of his father the Hongwu Emperor can be seen here in situ. The project was never completed, as the Ming engineers realized that there is no way the stone monoliths could be moved out of here to Ming Xiaoling.

34. See

    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 Mondays·Free

35. See

    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 am·General admission is free but some sights within the park charge a fee ranging from ¥5 to ¥10

36. See

    Zifeng Tower

    紫峰大厦

    The tallest (450-metre, 89-story) building in the city and the seventh tallest building in the world. Hosts an expensive restaurant and a bar at 78th floor. Also there is a public observatory at the 72nd floor.

    Observatory entrance ¥10,000 (Nov 2016)

37. See Not mapped

    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 16:45·Free

38. See Not mapped

    Qinhuai River

    秦淮河

    Qinhuai River, a tributary of the great Yangtze River, is 110 km (about 68 mi) in length and covers a drainage area of 2,631 km² (about 1,016 sq mi). The river used to be called Huai River, and it is said that the river was channeled to the city of Nanjing during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, so it was named Qinhuai River from then on. Qinhuai River is the largest river in the Nanjing City area, other than the Yangtse, and is the 'life blood' of the city. There are many sites of interest along its banks, including Zhanyuan Garden, Zhonghua Gate, and the sights along the Taoye Ferry ride to Zhenhuai Bridge. Taking the painted boats to cruise on the Qinhuai River, visitors can not only admire the sights along the river but can also experience the traditional culture of Nanjing. Visitors can take boats at different wharfs to admire the scenery along the river.

39. 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

40. See

    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 Mondays·Free

Browse all 69 places in Nanjing

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