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!
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### 📅 **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.
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**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.
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**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.
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**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."
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### 🍜 **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).
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### 🏨 **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.
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### ⚠️ **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.