3-Day Nanjing Essential Tour

Day1: Northern Nanjing Art Walk ✅•Morning: After arriving at Nanjing Railway Station, walk 200m to Xuanwu Lake to enjoy the scenery, and take photos at the cherry blossom grove on Liangzhou Island (spring only). Then pass through Liberation Gate to visit Jiming Temple, climbing to the top of the Medicine Buddha Pagoda for a stunning view of the ancient temple with the modern Zifeng Tower in the background. ✅•Noon: Take Metro Line 1 to Gulou Station and enjoy Huaiyang cuisine at a mansion restaurant on Yihé Road while admiring the sycamore-lined avenue outside. ✅•Afternoon: Take Metro Line 2 to visit Pioneer Bookstore (Wutaishan flagship store) for photos in the cross-shaped bookshelf corridor. Continue on Line 2 to Ming Palace Station to explore Nanjing Museum, where you can try vintage costume dressing in the Republic of China exhibition hall. Day2: Zhongshan Mountain to Southern City 🌞•Morning: Take Metro Line 2 to Muxuyuan Station to visit Zhongshan Scenic Area. Start with the Stone Elephant Road at Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, then climb the 392 steps of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum for panoramic views. Visit Music Terrace to feed pigeons (¥10 for feed) and take atmospheric photos, then see Meiling Palace with its famous sycamore "necklace" aerial view spot. ☁•Afternoon+Evening: Take Metro Line 3 to Confucius Temple Station to explore the temple area, visit Imperial Examination Museum, and try "Lotus Lake" red bean rice balls. Walk 1km to Laomendong for its brick alleys and rose-covered walls. At night, taxi to Dabao'en Temple for illuminated glass pagoda views. Day3: Niche Theme Options ✅•Family Fun: Take Metro Line 1 and transfer to bus for Hongshan Forest Zoo to see pandas and other animals. In afternoon, visit Yuejiang Tower for sunset views of Yangtze River Bridge. ✅•Art & Zen: Take Metro S3 and transfer to bus for Niushou Mountain to visit the ¥4 billion Buddha's Crown Palace, experiencing the stunning underground six-level relic hall. ✅•Instagram Hotspots: Return to Yihé Road for Republic-era photos (sycamores + yellow walls), then visit Deji Plaza in Xinjiekou for its viral ¥8 million restroom and shopping/dining, ending at Yihé Road's quieter Pioneer Bookstore branch. Recommended Accommodations ✅•Xinjiekou Area: Convenient locations like Orange Crystal or Hanting Hotels, 10-minute metro to Presidential Palace/Museum, near Deji Plaza. ✅•Laomendong Area: Hostels/boutique hotels like Nanjing Blossom Hill Hotel or Laomendong Youth Hostel, offering local charm and easy access to Qinhuai River night scenes. 😍 Food Recommendations 🦀•Must-try: Xiao Chuniang Huaiyang Cuisine, Li Baixie Crab Roe Noodles, Xiao Panji Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup. 🍚•Local Flavors: Shangri-La Hotel's Jiangnan Kitchen, Nanjing Impressions, Haoji Grand Hotel. 🍝•Specialty Snacks: Li Ji Halal's beef potstickers, Northwest Qiaotou Halal Hand-pulled Noodles.