Nanjing
南京(Nánjīng)Six Dynasties capital, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, and Nanjing salted duck
Overview & Transit Scope
Nanjing served as the capital of ten Chinese dynasties and regimes, including the Ming Dynasty and the early Republic of China. Surrounded by the Purple Mountain and the Yangtze River, its grand stone Ming city walls, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, and the bustling night lamps along the Qinhuai River make it a cornerstone of Chinese historical heritage.
Key City Highlights
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (Purple Mountain)
- Qinhuai River & Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao)
- Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
- Nanjing City Wall & Xuanwu Lake
- Nanjing Museum
Transit Boundary Notice
Permitted Region: Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Zhejiang
Leaving this designated region without a formal Chinese visa can result in administrative detention and transit permit cancellation.
Top Attractions & Passport Booking Rules
Monument of Modern ChinaDr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
中山陵
Monumental burial site of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China, set on the slopes of Purple Mountain with blue glazed-tile roofs.
Free entry but you must book a time slot in advance. Prepare for climbing 392 granite steps to reach the sacrificial hall.
Local Food Guide & Point-and-Order Cards
Nanjing Salted Duck & Roast Duck
南京盐水鸭 / 烤鸭 • Yánshuǐ Yā
Tender white duck meat cured in seasoned brine with peppercorns, gently poached until melt-in-the-mouth soft and fragrant.
City Pitfalls & Tourist Scams in Nanjing
While Nanjing is generally very safe with low violent crime, tourist-heavy spots harbor specific financial traps. Learn these exact scenarios to protect your trip.
1Fuzimiao (Confucius Temple) Fake Antique Peddlers
mediumStreet vendors offering "excavated jade" and "Ming coins".
Treat them strictly as modern tourist novelties. Never pay more than a few RMB for souvenirs.
Local Transport & Metro Tips
Metro Line S1 connects Lukou Airport (NKG) to Nanjing South Railway Station in 35 minutes. Fast trains reach Shanghai in only 65 minutes.