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Nanjing

Where Ancient History Meets Modern Charm

Nanjing stands as a major city in eastern China along the Yangtze River. It has served as a capital during several historical periods and holds many museums, temples and ancient walls that reflect its long past. The city combines modern development with preserved heritage sites such as the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and the Presidential Palace. Nanjing’s urban layout includes parks along the riverbank where locals gather for exercise and leisure. Its food scene features local dishes like salted duck and sweet osmanthus desserts, reflecting regional flavors.

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City in China

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	6

Read details

2/5

English is moderately spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and by younger generations. However, in smaller shops or with older residents, communication might be more challenging. Translation apps can help.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Nanjing Summary

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Important for imperial history and monuments. Visit ancient city walls, explore memorial sites and temples, walk scenic lakes and tour museums.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Street food

Large cities

Local cuisine

Historic sites

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

💻 8

Digital Nomads

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Nanjing, China

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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High season:	April - May, Oct. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	Feb. - March, Sep.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Plum blossom season at Plum Blossom Hill runs mid February to mid March

China's Golden Week (1 to 7 October) brings heavy domestic crowds, with sights and hotels booked out

Autumn leaves (ginkgo and maple) peak mid November to early December

Don't miss

🕊️ Walk through the solemn Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall
⛰️ Climb the Purple Mountain to see ancient Ming tombs
🏮 Stroll along the Qinhuai River and explore Confucius Temple Market
🌇 Admire sunset views from the ancient Nanjing City Wall
🏯 Visit the impressive Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and its grand stairway
🍗 Taste Nanjing’s famous salted duck at a traditional restaurant

You've been here?

Why travel to Nanjing?

Nanjing, once the capital of multiple Chinese dynasties, is brimming with historical landmarks and cultural treasures. From the solemn beauty of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum to the peaceful paths of Xuanwu Lake, there's a unique mix of old and new. The city also offers fantastic street food and rich culinary experiences, as well as lively markets and serene gardens. While it's less crowded than Beijing or Shanghai, it still offers plenty to explore without the rush.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Presidential Palace
2 Xuanwu Lake Park
3 NanJing Museum
4 Confucius temple
5 Zhonghua Gate
6 City Wall of Nanjing
7 Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Xuanwu Lake
2 Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge
3 Yuhuatai Scenic Area
4 Qinhuai River
5 Mochou Lake
6 Purple Mountain

🛍️Shopping

1 Aqua City
2 Deji Plaza

🎈Events

Nanjing International Plum Blossom Festival
Qinhuai Lantern Festival
China Nanjing Cultural and Tourism Festival
Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge Anniversary
International Jazz and World Music Festival
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Music Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations
Chinese New Year parades
Nanjing International Marathon
Dragon Boat Festival

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Take Qinhuai River night cruise for illuminated temples.
Visit Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum early morning; steep stairs lead to panoramic views.
Explore Confucius Temple area for street food, shops and historic architecture.
Walk sections of the ancient City Wall by Xuanwu Lake for history and skyline photos.

How to travel to Nanjing

Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) offers flights from major Asian and international hubs. The city is well-connected by high-speed trains, with Nanjing South Railway Station being a major hub. Buses and ferries are also options for regional travel.

Access summary

From Nanjing Lukou (NKG): Metro S1 or airport bus, 40–70 minutes.
From Shanghai: Frequent high-speed trains, typically about 1–2 hours.
From Beijing: High-speed trains around 3.5–5 hours; flights about 2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Nanjing

Nanjing offers a range of accommodations from luxury hotels in the Xinjiekou district to budget options around the Confucius Temple area. Many hotels offer traditional Chinese hospitality with modern comforts.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Jinling Hotel Nanjing-City Center

9.1

Nanjing Central Hotel

9.1

Pullman Nanjing Lukou Airport Hotel

9.1

Novotel Nanjing Central Suning

8.8

Shangri-La Nanjing

9.1

Sofitel Nanjing Galaxy

8.4

InterContinental Nanjing By IHG

8.9

Holiday Inn Nanjing Aqua City By IHG

8.5

Golden Eagle Summit Hotel Downtown

8.9

Hilton Nanjing Riverside

8.4

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Nanjing

Nanjing has an efficient metro system covering major attractions. Buses, taxis and bike-sharing are widely available. Walking in the historical districts is also enjoyable. Popular metro lines include Line 1 (Xinjiekou, Nanjing South Railway Station) and Line 2 (Xuanwu Lake, Zhonghua Gate).

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-67 %

Daily expenses in Nanjing are around 67% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£29	£63	£168
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£38	£90
🍝 Food per day	£12	£23	£71
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£7

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£8.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.70
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.30
☕ Cappuccino	£2.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.22
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£4.30
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.80

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.30
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£22
🤧 Cold medication	£4
💇 Basic haircut	£4.10

Safety information overview

General safety

Nanjing is generally safe for tourists. Petty theft is rare but remain cautious in crowded areas. Public transport is safe and reliable, even at night.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Nanjing are good, with modern hospitals and clinics available. English-speaking staff may be limited, so bring any necessary medications and health documents.

Accessibility

Nanjing's modern infrastructure offers good accessibility, with many public spaces, metro stations and attractions accommodating those with mobility challenges. Some historic sites may have uneven paths or steps.

Tap water

Tap water in Nanjing is not safe to drink directly. Stick to bottled water or boiled water. Many hotels provide kettles and bottled water is cheap and widely available.