Nanjing is an ancient capital rich in Asian culture, situated in the heartland of the Yangtze River region. The city is known for its historical heritage, waterfront attractions and famous monuments, such as the Confucius Temple.

Things to do

Visit the Nanjing Museum to learn about the development of early civilisation in the area. Enjoy complimentary tea while you snack on groundnuts and melon seeds, and browse the exhibitions spanning the Jurassic era to the Kuomintang period. Don’t miss the collection of gold and copper Tibetan Buddha statues on the third floor and catch the live opera performance.

For a dose of culture, head to the Confucian Temple Area on the banks of the Qinhuai River. Check out the Dacheng Hall, the largest figure of Confucius in China, and admire the collection of 38 panels detailing the life of Confucius.

Pay tribute to Republican China with a stop into the Sun Yatsen Mausoleum. Explore the beautiful garden surroundings, walk up almost 400 steps to the statue of Sun Yat Sen and enjoy the scenic views from the top.

Go on an adventure to the Ming Xiaoling Tomb to discover a tree-lined pavilion speckled with picnic areas and pavilions that leads to Zixia Lake. Walk the “spirit path” lined with statues of horses, lions and camels, stroll past the Linghun Pagoda, then head onwards to the Soul Tower to see the tomb vault.

Getting around

The easiest way to get around Nanjing is by metro, which covers most of the city and surrounding suburbs. Buses and taxis are also available. Nanjing's Lukou International Airport is less than 40 kilometres from the city centre.