Spent three days in Nanjing, and my spending philosophy collapsed
🌿Nanjing August walking guide! Eat duck blood under the phoenix trees, explore Jinling in three days without any pitfalls
Location
Nanjing is like an open history book, Xuanwu Lake is the title page, Qinhuai River is the table of contents, and Purple Mountain is the grand finale. Although August is hot, the phoenix trees provide dense shade, and the evening lake breeze instantly refreshes you~
🚶♀️Three-day walking route
Day 1: Zhongshan forest breathing + night mooring at Qinhuai
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7:00 AM Rush to the secret phoenix tree spot on Lingyuan Road🌳, enjoy the “Emerald Tunnel” alone before 7 AM, where dappled light feels like a natural air-conditioned corridor (free!). Then go to the music stage to feed pigeons🕊️, before 9 AM the flocks flying around are super healing~
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12:00 PM Have vegetarian noodles at Linggu Temple, the dome of the Wuliang Hall naturally cools the air❄️, and on the way check out the bamboo forest wind corridor at Tan Yankai’s tomb.
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7:30 PM Night tour of Confucius Temple! The lantern reflections on the Qinhuai riverboats sway🛶, the west line is less crowded and more scenic (boat ticket 120 RMB), and the Jiang Youji potstickers with duck blood vermicelli soup at Laomendong are so fragrant you’ll stomp your feet!
Day 2: Cool underground palace + Republic of China style
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9:00 AM Niushou Mountain Buddha Top Palace💎, the underground palace is a constant 18℃! The Thousand Buddha Hall’s light and shadow are sacred, wearing a plain-colored dress for photos is stunning~
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2:00 PM Visit Xuyuan Garden at the Presidential Palace (closed on Mondays), then head to the 1912 district in the evening to shoot the Republic of China style bar street🍸, and on the way try salted duck and osmanthus sugar taro shoots at Kexiang Alley.
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8:00 PM Stroll along Yihe Road, the old foreign-style houses hidden under the phoenix trees are very atmospheric, and when the street lamps light up it feels like traveling back to the Republic of China era📸.
Day 3: City wall walk + lake sunset
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8:00 AM Ming City Wall Taicheng section (Shence Gate to Liberation Gate is free), with a distant view of Xuanwu Lake and Purple Mountain in one frame⛰️.
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12:00 PM Enjoy lotus flowers at Lingzhou on Xuanwu Lake🪷, watch the sunset from the Taicheng city wall (lake breeze cools down by 5℃!), and on the way snack on Jinling roast duck on Hunan Road.
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6:00 PM Take photos at Xiaguan Train Theme Park with vintage railways, then take the 2 RMB ferry to chase the river view sunset🌉.
🔥Must-check list
1.
Confucius Temple - Qinhuai River: Night tour is free, but riverboats charge (west line is quieter), the lantern reflections at Wende Bridge are stunning!
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Niushou Mountain Buddha Top Palace: The underground palace was built with 4 billion RMB, the relic hall shines golden, wearing Hanfu instantly makes great photos~
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Laomendong: Bluestone roads + cultural and creative shops, few people in the early morning! Lu’s plum blossom cake with red bean filling is gooey and delicious😋.
4.
Nanjing Museum (free but requires reservation): The Republic of China hall replicates old street scenes, wearing a qipao for photos feels like time travel!
5.
Jiming Temple: Cherry blossom season is over, but the Peace Park outside the mountain gate is lush and shady, a 10 RMB incense flower ticket lets you climb the Medicine Master Buddha pagoda.
🏨Accommodation recommendations
1.
Nanjing South Station Yifei Hotel: eSports rooms with AMD hosts + mini fridge, tech lovers will be thrilled! 609 RMB/night, very close to the subway and super convenient.
2.
Nanjing Xianlin Avenue Atour: 403 RMB/night, Japanese minimalist style + free parking, close to the train station, good for catching early trains.
3.
Qingmu Hotel (Pukou Nanda branch): Budget choice! Starting at 86 RMB, 5-minute walk from Xinghuo Road subway station, student-friendly.
🚌Transportation guide
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Day 1: Metro Line 2 to Muxuyuan Station → walk or sightseeing bus to Lingyuan Road; Metro Line 3 to Confucius Temple Station for night tour.
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Day 2: Metro S1 to Niushou Mountain Station + scenic shuttle bus; Metro Line 2 to Daxinggong Station for Presidential Palace.
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Day 3: Bus 304 direct to Ming City Wall; ferry Zhongshan Pier to Pukou Pier (2 RMB cash).
😭Hardship: Xuanwu Lake at noon in August feels like a steamer! Sunscreen + small fan are lifesavers, don’t be like me wearing a black T-shirt absorbing heat until melting… Confucius Temple is packed with people, after 7 PM entering the core area is like Spring Festival travel rush, better to avoid peak times or take photos on the outskirts.
📸Photo spots
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Lingyuan Road phoenix tree tunnel (best light and shadow at 7 AM)
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Niushou Mountain Buddha Top Palace corridor (perfect symmetrical composition)
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Yihe Road Republic of China architecture cluster (very atmospheric when street lamps light up)
🍜Food hits
1.
Duck blood vermicelli soup: Xiao Panji’s broth is incredibly fresh, adding duck liver and crispy rice crust is the soul!
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Beef potstickers: Li Ji Halal restaurant’s potstickers are golden and crispy, be careful of the juicy filling that can burn your mouth~
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Osmanthus sugar taro shoots: Fangpo Cake Shop’s is thick and smooth with osmanthus fragrance!
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Pidu noodles: Yi Ji’s pidu soaks up the broth, paired with chili oil it’s so good you’ll lick the bowl!
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Red bean glutinous rice balls: Lianhu Cake Shop’s red bean paste is dense, the small balls are chewy and not overly sweet.
💰Three-day expense list
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Accommodation: Yifei 2 nights 1218 RMB, Atour style + eSports room worth the price!
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Food: Average 150 RMB/day (duck blood vermicelli 15 RMB + potstickers 12 RMB + desserts 10 RMB…), 450 RMB in three days to eat like a little fat duck~
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Tickets: Niushou Mountain 98 RMB + riverboat 120 RMB, other attractions are free and really worth it!
Total cost about 1800 RMB, students can easily handle it✨
✨Tips
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Remember to book Nanjing Museum and Presidential Palace 5 days in advance!
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August has many thunderstorms, carry both sun and rain umbrellas + Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid.
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Trip.com often has hotel discounts, longer stays are even more cost-effective~
This trip to Nanjing made me completely fall in love with the lively atmosphere of the “Duck City”! Three days is definitely not enough to explore, waiting for the experts’ secret tips in the comments~🌼