Known as one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals, Nanjing carries centuries of history within its streets. It was once the capital of the Republic of China and today serves as the capital of Jiangsu Province. Before arriving, I did not have particularly high expectations, guessing it would simply be another historical city with a few famous landmarks.
But sometimes, the places you expect the least from end up leaving the deepest impression on you. The moment I arrived in Nanjing, the city felt different from what I had imagined. There was something calm yet elegant about it. Ancient walls stood quietly beside modern buildings, busy streets somehow still felt peaceful, and everywhere I went, people were surprisingly warm and welcoming.
Even though my friends and I only had 48 hours there, we wanted to experience as much as possible, so we carefully planned every stop on our itinerary. Looking back now, those two days gave me memories rather than solely beautiful photos after returning home.
Spiritual Niushou Mountain
Day 1: We started our first morning at Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone, one of Nanjing’s most famous Buddhist destinations. Visiting in late March turned out to be perfect timing. Spring had quietly covered the mountain in soft colors — cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and magnolia flowers blooming gently along the pathways.
The atmosphere there felt incredibly peaceful, in spite of the light rain that day. Unlike crowded tourist attractions that leave you exhausted, Niushou Mountain made me slow down naturally. The fresh air, the mountains, and the spiritual energy of the place created a strange sense of calm I did not expect to feel.
The highlight was definitely the Foding Palace with the giant Buddha statue. Honestly, no photo online truly prepared me for how grand it looked in real life. The architecture was stunning — majestic, intricate, and almost surreal.
I kept reacting out loud every few minutes with “wow” and “OMG” like a child seeing something magical for the first time. At one point, the inside of the palace felt so maze-like that my friends and I spent more than 30 minutes trying to find the exit. We laughed the entire time.
Jiming Temple Experience
In the afternoon, we headed to Jiming Temple, a temple with more than a thousand years of history. Since I have visited many temples in Vietnam before, I initially thought this stop would feel familiar.
Surprisingly, it did not. Jiming Temple had a completely different atmosphere — quiet, poetic, and deeply serene. From certain viewpoints, I could see the ancient city walls and the lake stretching into the distance. Combined with the cherry blossoms blooming around the temple, everything felt almost cinematic.
Fuzimiao Street at Night
As evening arrived, we made our way to Fuzimiao, one of the liveliest old streets in Nanjing. If the temples showed me the peaceful side of the city, Fuzimiao revealed its energy. The glowing lanterns, traditional buildings, street food stalls, and endless crowds made the entire area feel alive.
My friends and I spent hours wandering around, trying traditional snacks and buying milk tea while watching the city slowly light up at night. And honestly? The food was so much better than I expected.
If you want someone to point you toward the best of it, this private food walk covers up to 15 local specialties across Confucius Temple Market and Laomendong, with lunch or dinner timing to fit your day.
Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum
Day 2: The next morning began with a visit to Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, dedicated to one of the most important figures in modern Chinese history. Reaching the top required climbing hundreds of stairs, and halfway through, I definitely questioned my life choices. But once I reached the top and looked down at the breathtaking view below, every step suddenly felt worth it.
The only unfortunate part was the timing. Heavy rain earlier had caused many trees to lose their leaves already, so the scenery was not as vibrant as the famous autumn photos I had seen online. If I could revisit, I would absolutely choose autumn instead.
Meiling Palace and Wutong Avenue
Afterward, we visited Meiling Palace, once the residence of Madame Chiang Kai-shek. Nearby was the famous Wutong Avenue, one of Nanjing’s most iconic roads. Even without the golden autumn leaves, the avenue still carried a quiet romantic charm that made the city feel incredibly unique.
Nanjing City Wall
Later in the afternoon, we explored the Nanjing City Wall. Spring flowers were everywhere — hydrangeas, magnolias, cherry blossoms — and the weather was surprisingly perfect. We took countless photos, drank more milk tea than we probably should have, and simply enjoyed being there.
Shopping At Xinjiekou
I ended the trip at Xinjiekou, Nanjing’s bustling underground shopping district connected directly to the metro system. Modern, energetic, and packed with food and fashion, it felt like a completely different side of the city compared to the historical places we had visited earlier.
Before coming to China, I used to think Chinese food might not suit my taste. Yet by the end of this trip, I realized how wrong that assumption was. Most of the dishes and drinks I tried were genuinely delicious. One important travel tip: always bargain when shopping. Some sellers definitely raise prices for tourists.
Nanjing’s Lasting Impression
Nanjing surprised me in the best possible way. It gave me a version of China that felt both historical and modern, peaceful yet vibrant. More importantly, it reminded me that sometimes the most unforgettable travel experiences come from places we never expected to fall in love with.
After this trip, China quickly became one of my top destinations for future adventures. Maybe Beijing or Guangzhou. Either way, I know this first journey to Nanjing will always hold a special place in my memories.
If You Go
Before you pack your bags, here are a few things that can make your Nanjing trip smoother and more enjoyable.
How to Get There
The easiest way to reach Nanjing is by flying into Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG), which is about 35.8 km from the city center. Nanjing is also well connected by rail, with Nanjing Railway Station, Nanjing South Railway Station, and Nanjing West Railway Station linking the city to major destinations across China.
When to Visit
I believe spring and autumn are the most rewarding seasons. As shared by native tourist guides in Nanjing, spring (March–May) brings moderate temperatures and blooming flowers, while autumn (September–November) is especially beautiful as the trees turn shades of amber, gold, and auburn. Summer is hotter and rainier, while winter can be chilly and sometimes drops below freezing.
Helpful Tips:
- I find getting around the city fairly easy because Nanjing’s subway system is modern and inexpensive. Also, the sightseeing bus routes Y1 to Y5 are useful for major attractions.
- For payments, I highly recommend WeChat Pay and Alipay, which are widely used and both support English-language versions. QR-code payment is common at restaurants, transport services, hotels, and shops.
- It is also smart to keep a translation app like Google Translate or Baidu on your phone, as 99% of residents in Nanjing can’t speak English. That’s what I see, haha.
Hotel Recommendations:
- Jinling Hotel Nanjing is the city’s classic five-star, open since 1983 and set in the heart of Xinjiekou near the Presidential Palace and City Wall, with a spa and six restaurants on site.
- Novotel Nanjing Central Suning is a modern, well-reviewed base in the middle of Xinjiekou, the shopping district where this itinerary wraps up.
- UrCove Nanjing Confucius Temple Laomendong puts you in the historic south of the city, close to the Qinhuai River and about 15 minutes on foot from Fuzimiao, with a garden and a 24-hour gym.
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Author Bio: Huyen Tran is a curious traveler with a lifelong passion for exploring the world. She loves telling travel stories through words and photographs, capturing the spirit of every place she visits. You can find more of her journeys on Tiktok.
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