The Ming city wall
Walk the ramparts above Zhonghua Gate, a fortress gate built to hold thousands of soldiers.
南京 · Destination
Nanjing
Capital of six dynasties and the early Ming — a city of great walls, plane trees and deep, sometimes sobering history.
How long1–2 days
Best timeApril–May, October–November
From Shanghai≈ 1–1.5 h by high-speed train
Nearest airportNanjing Lukou (NKG)
Nanjing has been China’s capital several times, most famously under the first Ming emperor, who ringed it with one of the longest city walls ever built. Long stretches still stand, and walking or cycling along the top is one of the great experiences of the region.
East of the centre, the forested slopes of Purple Mountain hold the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. In the evening, the lantern-lit Qinhuai River and the Confucius Temple area are lively and photogenic.
Nanjing also asks for some time for reflection: the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre is a sobering but important visit. With fast trains from Shanghai and Suzhou, one or two nights here round out a deeper East China trip.
Don’t miss
The best of Nanjing
Purple Mountain
Stone animals guarding the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, and the grand stairway of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.
The Qinhuai River at night
A boat ride past lanterns and painted pavilions in the old Confucius Temple quarter.
Local tips
What we tell our own guests
- Nanjing Museum and several memorial sites are free but need advance booking, and most close on Mondays.
- Nanjing summers are very hot; in July and August plan outdoor walks for early morning.
- The fastest trains leave from Shanghai Hongqiao; the ride along the old Shanghai–Nanjing line stops in Suzhou and Wuxi too.
FAQ
Nanjing: your questions
Is Nanjing worth visiting on a first trip to China?
If you have nine days or more, yes — it adds imperial history that Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou do not have. On a shorter first trip, those three cities are usually enough.
How do I get from Shanghai to Nanjing?
High-speed trains run all day from Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai stations and take around 1 to 1.5 hours. We book seats in advance, which matters at weekends and holidays.
Travel Guide
Read before you go
Transport
Taking the Bullet Train Between Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou & Nanjing
Times, stations and passport booking for the fast trains that link East China’s cities.
Let’s sketch your route.
Share your dates and a few things you love. A planner in Shanghai sends a free draft itinerary within 24 hours.