Nanjing Travel Guide: Explore Nanjing with a Photographer

Here is a Nanjing travel guide based on the latest information for 2025, covering itinerary planning, food recommendations, accommodation, and practical tips to help you efficiently enjoy Jinling! --- ### 📅 **4 Days 3 Nights Itinerary** **Day 1: Cultural and Historical Route** - **Morning** - **Nanjing Museum** (free, reservation required): Focus on the Republic of China Gallery, Intangible Cultural Heritage Gallery with gold leaf forging, and the museum treasure—Eastern Han Dynasty silver-inlaid bronze ox lamp. - **Presidential Palace** (¥35): Historical site from Ming and Qing dynasties to the Republic of China, recommended 3 hours visit. - **Noon** - **Hongmiao Food Street**: Try Ni Ni’s favorite Xiaoyun soup dumplings and Chen Lin’s salted duck. - **Afternoon** - **Jiming Temple** (incense flower ticket ¥10): Popular place to pray for love, recommended plain noodles and red bean cake. - **Xuanwu Lake** (free): Climb Liberation Gate, watch sunset at Lovers’ Garden, check in at Yingzhou Pioneer Bookstore. - **Dinner**: Suojin Village Jinghua Soup Dumplings, Jinyuan Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup. --- **Day 2: Zhongshan Mountain Nostalgia + Qinhuai Night Cruise** - **All day** - **Zhongshan Scenic Area** (combined ticket ¥70): - Cycle along Wutong Avenue → Meiling Palace (drone shot of “Wutong Necklace”) → Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Spirit Way stone beasts (most beautiful in autumn) → Zhongshan Mausoleum 392 steps (avoid crowds before 8 AM). - Feed pigeons at Music Stage, enjoy osmanthus flowers at Linggu Temple (best in September). - **Noon** - **378 Alley**: Local snacks with lively atmosphere, affordable potstickers and wontons. - **Evening** - **Laomendong**: Hanfu makeup photo shoot at Scissors Alley, visit Junhui Bookstore, City Wall Museum, eat Jiang Youji beef potstickers and Blue Boss sweet porridge lotus root. - **Night** - **Confucius Temple Qinhuai River**: Take a painted boat night cruise (¥80), see Wende Bridge “Qinhuai Lantern Shadows,” experience intangible cultural heritage paper cutting. --- **Day 3: Nature Zen + Urban Stroll** - **Morning** - **Hongshan Forest Zoo** (¥40): Watch pandas eat at 8:30, koala weighing at 9, must-visit native species conservation area. - **Noon** - **Tongjia Alley**: Beef potstickers at Northwest Bridgehead, pine nut roast duck. - **Afternoon** - **Niushou Mountain** (¥100): Enter at 3:30 PM, the Buddha’s Top Palace Thousand Buddha Hall is stunning, wear plain-colored clothes for great photos. - **Jinling Small Town**: Night tour with ancient-style light show, immersive experience. - **Evening** - **Xinjiekou**: Check in at the million-level restroom, dine at Deji Plaza or Mingwailang snacks. --- **Day 4: Republic of China Style + Historical Reflection** - **Morning** - **Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre** (free, reservation required): Solemn visit, receive white chrysanthemums at the entrance. - **Noon** - **Chanan Street**: Try Weizhen wontons, double ice skin tripe noodles, Maxiang duck. - **Afternoon** - **Yihe Road Citywalk**: Republic of China architectural complex, Pioneer Bookstore (Wutaishan branch) to send postcards, take photos of Zifeng Tower with old and new frames at West Bridge. - **Pukou Railway Station**: Take the ferry (¥2) to see filming locations of "Romance in the Rain." --- ### 🍜 **Must-Try Foods** - **Salted Duck**: Zhang Yun smoked duck (¥38/half), served with lotus leaf pancakes. - **Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup**: Jinyuan or Dapanji (¥15), add chili oil and duck oil sesame cake. - **Tripe Noodles**: Yiji “Family Fortune” (¥20), more authentic with smoked fish. - **Plum Blossom Cake**: Master Zuo’s purple sweet potato flavor (¥6), DIY available at Confucius Temple (¥15). - **Potstickers**: Northwest Bridgehead (Tongjia Alley), Jiang Youji (Laomendong). --- ### 🏨 **Accommodation Recommendations** - **Xinjiekou**: Most convenient transportation (intersection of Metro Lines 1 and 2), recommended All Seasons Hotel (¥180-300). - **Confucius Temple/Laomendong**: Best for night tours of Qinhuai, stay at Qinhuai Junting Hotel (river view room) or Mustard Seed Garden Homestay (¥200). - **Zhongshan Mausoleum Area**: Suitable for nature lovers, Atour Hotel (near Muxuyuan Metro). Hotel prices may fluctuate during peak travel seasons. --- ### ⚠️ **Practical Tips** 1. **Transportation**: - Metro covers major attractions (one-way ¥2-4), sightseeing bus recommended inside Zhongshan Scenic Area (¥20). 2. **Ticket Reservations**: - Nanjing Museum and Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre require 1-3 days advance booking; Confucius Temple/Laomendong require reservations on weekends. - **Free Admission Days**: Qixia Mountain (May 11), Gaochun Old Street (May 17), check official website for details. 3. **Best Seasons**: March to May (cherry blossoms, fresh wutong leaves), September to November (osmanthus, red leaves). 4. **Avoid Pitfalls**: - Avoid accommodation solicited at train stations; bring masks in summer to prevent wutong fluff; wear comfortable shoes for Zhongshan Mountain tours.