Facts checked against live data · 8 Oct 2026

China · Region

Nanjing

Nanjing is a city where history sits heavily in the landscape: former imperial capital, Ming dynasty walls still ringing the old town, and a somber modern memory shaped by its wartime past. Today it balances that weight with riverside parks, a famous mausoleum complex, and a relaxed, less frenetic pace than Shanghai or Beijing.

Getting thereMost travellers fly into Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG), around ~35km south of the city centre, connected to downtown by Metro Line S1 or airport shuttle buses. For those coming overland, Nanjing South Railway Station is the city's main high-speed rail hub, with frequent services to Shanghai (as fast as ~1 hour) and Beijing, making rail the most common approach from other major Chinese cities.
How long to stayPlan on ~2-3 days to cover the city walls, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, plus the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and a stroll around Xuanwu Lake.

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Frequently asked questions about Nanjing

How do I get to Nanjing?

Most travellers fly into Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG), around ~35km south of the city centre, connected to downtown by Metro Line S1 or airport shuttle buses. For those coming overland, Nanjing South Railway Station is the city's main high-speed rail hub, with frequent services to Shanghai (as fast as ~1 hour) and Beijing, making rail the most common approach from other major Chinese cities.

How many days should I spend in Nanjing?

Plan on ~2-3 days to cover the city walls, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, plus the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and a stroll around Xuanwu Lake.

What is Nanjing known for?

Nanjing is a city where history sits heavily in the landscape: former imperial capital, Ming dynasty walls still ringing the old town, and a somber modern memory shaped by its wartime past. Today it balances that weight with riverside parks, a famous mausoleum complex, and a relaxed, less frenetic pace than Shanghai or Beijing.

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