Major city · China
Nanjing南京
Give Nanjing 2 nights: one full day for the Ming tomb and city wall, one for the massacre memorial and the old Qinhuai quarter.
Nanjing was capital of six dynasties and of the Republic of China, so its sights are historical rather than scenic: the Ming Xiaoling tomb, the city wall, the 1937 massacre memorial and the Qinhuai riverfront. Two nights covers the core; three lets you add Purple Mountain properly. It sits 75 minutes from Shanghai by high-speed rail, which makes it an easy add-on to a Jiangsu or Yangtze delta route.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid, heavy rain), Chinese New Year week
- Airport
- NKG
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Nanjing110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Nanjing, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyNanjing is a safe big city by day and night; the real risks are summer heat, metro bag checks slowing you down, and unmetered taxis…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNKG Nanjing Lukou International Airport (Metro Line S1 to Nanjing South Railway Station, about 30 min, ¥6 (≈ under US$1); taxi to the centre about ¥100 (≈ US$14)).
- Getting aroundThe metro is clean, cheap and the fastest way across town: single tokens ¥2–9 (≈ US$1–2) by distance, trains roughly 05:00–23:00.The metro is clean, cheap and the fastest way across town: single tokens ¥2–9 (≈ US$1–2) by distance, trains roughly 5:00 AM–11:00 PM.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup (duck-blood vermicelli or xiaomian)¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a convenience store¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiMeter starts at ¥9 plus a ¥2 fuel fee.¥20–30 (≈ US$3–5)
- Metro or bus rideMetro ride¥2–9 (≈ US$1–2)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥80–200 (≈ US$12–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or tomb entrySome sites are free; check each one.¥0–70 (≈ US$0–10)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥70 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥420 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥800 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥550 (≈ US$80) · High CN¥1,100 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NKG Nanjing Lukou International Airport (Metro Line S1 to Nanjing South Railway Station, about 30 min, ¥6; taxi to the centre about ¥100)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Dec (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nanjing: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The metro is clean, cheap and the fastest way across town: single tokens ¥2–9 by distance, trains roughly 05:00–23:00. Lines 1, 2 and 3 cover the centre and both main rail stations; Line S1 links the airport. Buses are ¥2 flat but have no English signage. Taxis start at ¥9 plus a ¥2 fuel fee and most central trips stay under ¥25 — insist the meter runs and take the printed receipt.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Suzhou
goDoor to door: About 2 h
High-speed G train from Nanjing South, about 1 h 15 min
Classical gardens and canals; doable as a long day, better as an overnight.
Yangzhou
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
High-speed rail from Nanjing Station, about 1 h
Slender West Lake and morning tea; a comfortable day trip.
Wuxi
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
High-speed G train from Nanjing South, about 1 h
Lake Tai and the Grand Buddha; combine with a Suzhou stop.
Changzhou
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
High-speed rail from Nanjing Station, about 45 min
Fine for a half day; sights are spread out from the station.
Jiangyin
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
High-speed rail, about 1 h 30 min
Yangtze riverfront town; only worth it if you are heading east anyway.
Huai'an
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5 h
High-speed rail from Nanjing South, about 2 h
Too far for a return day; sleep one night.
Lianyungang
skipDoor to door: About 3.5 h
High-speed rail from Nanjing South, about 3 h
Coastal Jiangsu; save it for a separate northern route.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Xinjiekou
City-centre interchange of metro lines 1 and 2; most hotel choice, walk to shops and restaurants.
Confucius Temple / Qinhuai
Old-quarter lanes, riverfront at night; good for one or two nights, noisier.
Nanjing South Railway Station
For early high-speed departures; functional, few sights within walking distance.
Xuanwu Lake / Nanjing Station
Quiet, lakeside, close to Purple Mountain and the north-shore train station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–450 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥450–900 (≈ US$65–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥900 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × CN¥420 | CN¥840 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥550 | CN¥2,200 |
| Metro Line S1 airport to Nanjing South, one way2 × CN¥6 · check | CN¥12 |
| Taxi airport to downtown1 × CN¥100 · check | CN¥100 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥120 | CN¥240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥339 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥933 per person per day, bed included | CN¥3,731≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Noodle soup (duck-blood vermicelli or xiaomian) | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a convenience store | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| 5 km taxiMeter starts at ¥9 plus a ¥2 fuel fee. | ¥20–30 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Metro ride | ¥2–9 (≈ US$1–2) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥80–200 (≈ US$12–30) |
| Museum or tomb entrySome sites are free; check each one. | ¥0–70 (≈ US$0–10) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer is genuinely punishing: July and August combine 32 °C (90 °F)+ highs with the year's heaviest rain.Summer is genuinely punishing: July and August combine 90 °F (32 °C)+ highs with the year's heaviest rain.
- Bags go through X-ray at every metro station; allow a few extra minutes.
- Bike theft is common — use a strong lock on any rental or shared bike.
- Taxi drivers rarely speak English: have your hotel write the destination in Chinese.
- The massacre memorial is a solemn site; behave accordingly and expect queues.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Nanjing南京
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
The US has a consulate-general in Shanghai covering Jiangsu (check the address); most other countries keep embassies in Beijing and consulates in Shanghai.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metro S1, airport → Nanjing South: ¥6 (≈ under US$1), about 30 min (check)
- Taxi airport → downtown: about ¥100 (≈ US$14)
- High-speed rail Nanjing → Shanghai: about ¥140 (≈ US$20) second class, 75 min (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duō shao qián)
- 请打表 — Please use the meter (qǐng dǎ biǎo)
- 我不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ bù dǒng)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ)
Metro runs roughly 05:00–23:00; last trains are earlier on some suburban lines.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Nanjing. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid, heavy rain), Chinese New Year week · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NKG: last S1 metro departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Xinjiekou, Confucius Temple and Qinhuai, Purple Mountain, the wall and Zhonghua Gate.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Ming Xiaoling, city wall, massacre memorial, Nanjing Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.