A wonderful day in NanJing

A Wonderful Day in Nanjing: Exploring History, Culture & Modern Charms

Categories:

• Travel
• China Destinations
• City Guides

Morning: Stepping into History

Begin your day at the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, where 600-year-old stone statues guard the tomb of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. The walk through the Sacred Way, flanked by elephants and lions carved from bluestone, feels like traveling back in time.

By mid-morning, head to the Presidential Palace, a living museum of China’s modern history. Wander through gardens where Qing dynasty officials once debated and corridors where Sun Yat-sen’s republic took shape.

Afternoon: Culture & Cuisine

Lunch calls for Nanjing’s iconic duck blood vermicelli soup (鸭血粉丝汤) at a decades-old eatery near Fuzimiao. Spend the afternoon browsing antique books at Wuyi Alley or admiring the golden murals inside the Porcelain Tower of Bao’en Temple (rebuilt masterpiece of the Ming Dynasty).

Evening: Lakeside Serenity

As the sun dips, join locals strolling along Xuanwu Lake, where willow branches skim the water and the Zifeng Tower glows amber. End your day with qīngtuán (green rice cakes) from a teahouse, watching lanterns flicker over the Qinhuai River.