Nanjing City Travel Guide
Nanjing (Nánjīng[南京]) has been an important educational, political and economic center in China for thousands of years.
To the traveler, Nanjing is most famous for the cultural remnants left behind by Nanjing’s long and influential history as the capital of six dynasties, the Taiping Rebellion, and the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang [国民党]) . Tourist attractions aside, Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province(Jiāngsūshěng [江苏省]), is a well-balanced city that currently attracts visitors for much more than just tourism.
Nanjing’s foreign student population is already quite large and steadily growing. The amount of foreign businessmen in Nanjing is ever-increasing as well. To the delight of all those that love Chinese food, Nanjing is home to many delicious restaurants, maybe even too many. Local "Nanjingren (Nánjīngrén [南京人])" could never try them all in their entire lifetime. Start with a few, and build your repertoire from there.
Fast Facts About Nanjing
| Location: |
Eastern China, Jiangsu Province. Nanjing Map |
| Population: |
7 Million. |
| People: |
Predominantly Han Chinese. |
| Language: |
Mandarin (普通话) and Nanjingese (南京话). |
| Local Cuisine: |
Huiyang Chinese food. Many local specialties. |
| Dialing Code: |
"+86 25" from abroad. "025" from within China. |
| Getting There: |
Air, train, bus, water transport via Changjiang River. |
| Getting Around: |
Convenient subway, massive bus system, taxis only too busy at peak times, bicycles popular. |
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Weather:
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Does not freeze during winter. Up to 40°C in summer. High humidity. Comfortable spring and autumn. |
| Claim to Fame: |
Capital of Six Dynasties (Ming Tomb), Purple Mountain, First capital of Republic of China (Sun Yat-sens Tomb), Nanjing Massacre. |
Hours:
All Day, especially at night
Price:
Entrance to the actual temple is 35 yuan.
Situated in the south part of Nanjing and surrounded by the Qinhuai River, the Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) is one of the city’s most popular attractions. Confucius Temple consists of a cluster of symetrically arranged buildings and covers an area of over 26,000 square meters. The temple is home to excellent examples of both Ming and Qing dynasty architecture.
Price:
Free enter for the outside, inner side 20 Yuan/ticket
Close to the city center and featuring 368 hectares of water and 104 hectares of land, Xuanwu Lake Park is a favourite getaway for locals. Well before the sunrise and even after sunset, the park is bustling with visitors. Some come to walk, jog, or fly kites, others to practice Tai Chi, and many more just want to enjoy the scenery
Tags: Family, Lakes
Purple Mountain is known as the “lung of Nanjing” and for good reason. This massive, forested park area situated within Nanjing boasts fresh and cool air compared to the muggy, polluted city center.
Nanjing has many famous specialty foods. Some of these are unique to Nanjing and others are found all over China but get a special twist in Nanjing.
Duck
The quality and quantity of duck eaten in Nanjing has earned it one of it’s many nicknames - "Yadu" (鸭都) or "Duck Capital".
Hours:
Open 7:00am to 6:30pm
Address:
No. 1 Zhongshan Ling
Nanjing City Wall, constructed during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties between 1365 and 1386, originally stretched over 30km which made it the longest city wall in the world. Now, with about two thirds of the wall still intact it still remains the longest city wall in China. It reaches all the way from the North end of Xuan
Address:
2F, Aqua City, No. 1 Jiankang Lu, Baixia District.
A brand new market for Nanjing people opened at March 26th 2009. Located at the -2F of Aqua City.
Tags: Groceries, imported food
Address:
south face of Purple Mountain
Lying on the west side of the southern foot of Purple Mountain (Zijin Shan, 紫金山), the Ming Tomb Scenic Area contains the Ming Tomb as well as Purple Cloud Lake and Plum Blossom Hill.
Hours:
8:30am-4:30pm, closed at Monday
Address:
No. 418 Shuiximen Dajie
Address:
Between Hubei Lu and Hunan Lu
Even when compared with many other bustling, restaurant-laden streets in Nanjing, this little pedestrian area appears to fit the most great restaurants in one place. There are a wide variety of restaurants here including full service Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Western style restaurants. And last, but not least, there are naturally a tonne of xiaochi (snacks).
Tags: Indian food, Korean food, pizza, Snacks, Thai food, Xinjiang food
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