99% of Tourists Missed This! 2025 Hidden Gems in Nanjing's Laomendong: A Quick Guide!

Laomendong Overview: Located east of Zhonghua Gate in Nanjing's Qinhuai District, Laomendong is an important part of the Confucius Temple-Qinhuai Scenic Area. It's free to enter and open all day. The area retains the traditional features of old southern Nanjing, with its antique charm and unique flavor. I recommend spending 2–3 hours here. If you happen to visit during the Mid-Autumn Festival or the Lantern Festival, the atmosphere is amazing. It's worth spending more time exploring! Transportation: I highly recommend taking the subway. Take Line 3 to Wudingmen Station, Exit 2, and it's a 10-minute walk. It's convenient and fast. If you drive, there is a parking lot in the scenic area, but it can be crowded during the holidays, so you'll need some patience. Must-See Attractions: 1. Jinling Art Museum: Open 9:00–17:00 (closed on Mondays), free admission. It showcases the human stories of ancient Nanjing's neighborhoods and regularly hosts artist exhibitions. A must-visit for art lovers. 2. Librairie Avant-Garde Junhui Bookstore: Open 10:00–21:00. Hidden in the streets, the all-wood Anhui-style architecture is very distinctive. Reading and taking photos here feels great. 3. Jiezi Garden: Open 9:30–16:30, admission CNY 15. This is the former residence of Li Yu, a famous figure in the early Qing Dynasty. The garden is small and exquisite. Wearing Hanfu for photos here guarantees great shots. 4. Nanjing Yue Opera Museum: Open 9:00–17:00, free admission. The two-courtyard complex displays costumes and collections. You can also listen to operas in the small theater in the second courtyard and experience the charm of traditional opera. 5. Deyunshe: Performances on weekends 14:00–16:30, Tuesday–Sunday 19:30–22:00. If you like crosstalk, don't miss it. Book your tickets in advance! Itinerary: Enter from the "Laomendong" archway, first walk along Gutong Lane, where you can see various specialty shops and food stalls. Then go to Santiaoying to see the quaint architecture and check out Librairie Avant-Garde Junhui Bookstore. Then stroll around Zhongying, and finally go to Jiezi Garden to experience the beauty of classical gardens. If you have enough time, you can also visit Jinling Art Museum and Nanjing Yue Opera Museum. Food Recommendations: 6. Lu Shi Plum Blossom Cake: There are various fillings such as red bean paste and fruit. It's sweet, soft, and glutinous. You must try the classic red bean paste filling. 7. Tofu Dynasty: The crispy on the outside and tender on the inside Blizzard Stinky Tofu is super satisfying. Pair it with refreshing and non-greasy matcha soy milk for a perfect combination. 8. Miao Dong Spare Ribs: The fried spare ribs are very flavorful. You can choose from cumin, spicy, plum and other seasonings. Eat it while it's hot, the more you chew, the more fragrant it becomes. 9. Jiang Youji (Halal): A Nanjing time-honored brand. The beef pot stickers are a must-order. The outer skin is crispy, and the soup is overflowing with one bite. The meat filling is super tender. 10. Jiming Tangbao: A cage of chicken soup dumplings has six pieces. The taste is fresh and fragrant, the soup is rich, and one bite is super satisfying. 11. Lan Laoda Sweet Porridge and Lotus Root Shop: Red Bean Dumplings, Sweet Lotus Root Porridge, and Sweet Taro Seedlings are all very popular. The sweet lotus root is sweet and glutinous, and the porridge is also sweet and delicious.