Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River 夫子庙与秦淮河
Riverfront streets, cultural sites and an evening atmosphere can be explored in one area.
- Plan around
- One focused part of a day
- Combine with
- Zhonghua Gate · Laomendong · Qinhuai River
All destinations
East China
Nanjing travel guide
Explore Nanjing’s city walls, Qinhuai River, museums and Purple Mountain monuments. Group nearby sights together, then leave time for Xuanwu Lake, old-city streets and local duck dishes.
Include Nanjing in my trip ↗What to see in Nanjing
Choose your main sights, then group nearby visits together. Allow a separate day for longer excursions.
More places to consider in Nanjing
Zhonghua Gate and City Wall 中华门与南京城墙
A gate and selected wall section make the defensive structure understandable without a long forced walk.
Southern old city · One focused part of a day
Laomendong 老门东
A pedestrian neighborhood for food, lanes and a less formal pause between historical visits.
Near Zhonghua Gate · One focused part of a day
Nanjing Museum 南京博物院
A substantial museum visit for those interested in regional and Chinese history.
Eastern central city · One focused part of a day
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum 中山陵
A monument-focused outing on the eastern hills; account for walking and steps in the chosen route.
Zhongshan scenic area · One focused part of a day
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum 明孝陵
A heritage landscape that can be the main focus of a separate eastern-city day.
Zhongshan scenic area · One focused part of a day
Xuanwu Lake 玄武湖
Select a shore or island walk for an open-space contrast to museums and monuments.
North of the old city · One focused part of a day
At the local table
What to eat in Nanjing
Build food into the day: a local breakfast, a market snack or a relaxed shared meal can become part of the experience.
Nanjing salted duck 盐水鸭
Seasoned duck usually served cool and sliced, with a gentler flavor than roast duck.
Duck-blood vermicelli soup 鸭血粉丝汤
A duck-based soup with vermicelli; offal and blood are typical ingredients.
Soup-filled steamed buns 汤包
Small buns with hot soup inside, best approached carefully.
Beef pan-fried dumplings 牛肉锅贴
A savory dumpling option with a crisp cooked base.
Osmanthus rice-flour sweets 桂花糕团
A sweet snack to include after a Qinhuai or old-city meal.
For allergies or dietary needs, explain the requirement clearly and discuss ingredients with the kitchen. English–Chinese support can help you communicate.
Where to stay
Compare these areas by transport, nearby sights and the type of stay you prefer.
| Area | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Xinjiekou | A central transport, dining and shopping base. | A large junction is not the same as staying beside a historic lane. |
| Qinhuai / Confucius Temple | Evening walks and food in the southern old city. | Popular riverfront streets can be lively and busy. |
| Xuanwu Lake / northern old city | A lake-focused stay and convenient northern-city walks. | Allow transfers to Qinhuai and the eastern scenic area. |
Getting there & around
Use Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) for airport-transfer planning.
Nanjing Railway Station and Nanjing South are separate stations; check the ticket before arranging the final transfer.
For museum days, use the original booked passport and the museum's current foreign-document admission procedure.
Season & daily pace
Spring flowers and autumn foliage are useful landscape themes. Summer plans need shorter exposed wall sections and substantial indoor breaks.
Choose your time, then make it yours
How many days do you have?
Start with a day in Nanjing or connect it with a wider journey. Every route can be adjusted to your interests and pace.
A day in the destination
The southern old city in one day
A full day joining City Wall heritage with Laomendong and the Qinhuai River.
Make this my own 1-day trip ↗- Day 1
Qinhuai River and the southern old city
Start at Zhonghua Gate and a manageable City Wall section. Continue through Laomendong for lunch, then enjoy the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River surroundings toward evening.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
A short stay
Nanjing’s history and green spaces
Three sightseeing days combine the old city, Purple Mountain and a museum-and-lake contrast.
Make this my own 3-day trip ↗- Day 1
Qinhuai River and the southern old city
Start at Zhonghua Gate and a manageable City Wall section. Continue through Laomendong for lunch, then enjoy the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River surroundings toward evening.
- Day 2
A considered Purple Mountain day
Choose Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Ming Xiaoling area as your main visits. Plan for the steps and distances, allowing time for lunch and the wooded landscape.
- Day 3
Nanjing Museum and Xuanwu Lake
Choose a focused Nanjing Museum visit, then travel to Xuanwu Lake for a shorter outdoor walk. Balance exhibition time with a relaxed meal and rest.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
More time to explore
Nanjing and Suzhou
Connect Nanjing’s monuments and neighborhoods with Suzhou’s gardens. Allow a dedicated transfer day and finish in Suzhou.
Make this my own 7-day trip ↗- Day 1
Arrive in Nanjing
Transfer to your hotel and rest after the journey. An early-evening walk around the Qinhuai River can introduce the city without committing to a full sightseeing day.
- Day 2
Qinhuai River and the southern old city
Start at Zhonghua Gate and a manageable City Wall section. Continue through Laomendong for lunch, then enjoy the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River surroundings toward evening.
- Day 3
A considered Purple Mountain day
Choose Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Ming Xiaoling area as your main visits. Plan for the steps and distances, allowing time for lunch and the wooded landscape.
- Day 4
Nanjing Museum and Xuanwu Lake
Choose a focused Nanjing Museum visit, then travel to Xuanwu Lake for a shorter outdoor walk. Balance exhibition time with a relaxed meal and rest.
- Day 5
Travel to Suzhou
Leave time for the intercity journey and hotel check-in. Introduce Suzhou with Pingjiang Road’s canals and lanes, then enjoy a local noodle meal.
- Day 6
One garden and Pingjiang lanes
Take time in the Humble Administrator’s Garden, noticing framed views, water and pavilions. Continue along Pingjiang Road, with a seated meal and a short canal-side stroll.
- Day 7
A slow Suzhou departure
Start with a local breakfast and any short final walk your travel plans allow. Keep time for luggage collection and the transfer to your booked railway station.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
More time to explore
Nanjing, Suzhou and Shanghai
A regional journey from Nanjing’s historical landscapes to Suzhou’s canals and Shanghai’s riverfront, with a Shanghai finish.
Make this my own 10-day trip ↗- Day 1
Arrive in Nanjing
Transfer to your hotel and rest after the journey. An early-evening walk around the Qinhuai River can introduce the city without committing to a full sightseeing day.
- Day 2
Qinhuai River and the southern old city
Start at Zhonghua Gate and a manageable City Wall section. Continue through Laomendong for lunch, then enjoy the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River surroundings toward evening.
- Day 3
A considered Purple Mountain day
Choose Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Ming Xiaoling area as your main visits. Plan for the steps and distances, allowing time for lunch and the wooded landscape.
- Day 4
Nanjing Museum and Xuanwu Lake
Choose a focused Nanjing Museum visit, then travel to Xuanwu Lake for a shorter outdoor walk. Balance exhibition time with a relaxed meal and rest.
- Day 5
Travel to Suzhou
Leave time for the intercity journey and hotel check-in. Introduce Suzhou with Pingjiang Road’s canals and lanes, then enjoy a local noodle meal.
- Day 6
One garden and Pingjiang lanes
Take time in the Humble Administrator’s Garden, noticing framed views, water and pavilions. Continue along Pingjiang Road, with a seated meal and a short canal-side stroll.
- Day 7
Lingering Garden and Shantang
Explore the Lingering Garden at a measured pace. Continue to Shantang Street for canal-side architecture and a meal, keeping the two areas as the day’s main focus.
- Day 8
Arrive in Shanghai
Transfer to your chosen district and settle in. If your arrival leaves time, take a short neighborhood walk and enjoy an easy Shanghainese meal nearby.
- Day 9
Yu Garden and the Bund
Begin with Yu Garden and the Old City, stopping for soup dumplings or noodles. Continue to the Bund for the contrast between historic buildings and Pudong across the water.
- Day 10
Leave room for departure
Enjoy a final breakfast or a short walk close to your hotel. Plan the departure transfer for the actual airport terminal or railway station.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
Make Nanjing part of your private journey.
Ask us to plan your visit or arrange an airport transfer, private driver or English–Chinese support. You can request a complete trip or one service.
Discuss my Nanjing plans ↗