Nanjing is one of China's great historic capitals — a dignified, tree-lined city on the Yangtze that served as the seat of empires for centuries. Wrapped in the longest city wall ever built and dotted with imperial tombs, ancient temples and sombre war memorials, it pairs deep history and leafy university campuses with a relaxed, cultured pace, all a short high-speed-rail hop from Shanghai.
Nanjing has a humid subtropical climate and is one of China's famous "furnace cities," with hot, sticky summers, cold, damp winters and beautiful springs and autumns. It is home to a well-established international community built around its many universities, with English used in business and international schools. Mandarin is the language of daily life, while a comfortable cost of living, an excellent metro and superb rail links make this green, history-rich city a very easy place to settle in.
Location Info
- Historic, green university city with a comfortable cost of living and an established expat scene
- Very safe, with low street crime even late at night
- An extensive modern metro plus high-speed trains to Shanghai in about an hour
Top Experiences
The Ming City Wall
Walk atop the longest city wall ever built — a colossal 600-year-old rampart still ringing the old city, with some of the best views from Zhonghua Gate and the stretch beside Xuanwu Lake.
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Climb the grand stone stairway up Purple Mountain to the majestic tomb of the founding father of modern China, set amid forests, temples and the Ming Xiaoling imperial tomb nearby.
Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River
Wander the lantern-lit Fuzimiao district, a lively warren of temples, snack stalls and shops, then take a night boat along the storied Qinhuai River as it glows with reflections.
Nanjing Massacre Memorial
A powerful, sobering memorial and museum commemorating the victims of the 1937 atrocity — moving, important and one of the most visited sites in the city.
Xuanwu Lake & Purple Mountain
Escape into nature at the willow-fringed Xuanwu Lake or hike the forested trails of Purple Mountain, ablaze with colour in autumn and dotted with historic sites.
The Presidential Palace
Explore the seat of China's Republican-era government, a fascinating complex of traditional gardens and colonial-style offices that traces a turbulent century of Chinese history.
Getting Around
Nanjing is large but easy to navigate, with a clean, modern and ever-expanding metro that is cheap and signed in English. Buses and shared bikes fill in the gaps, while Didi (China's ride-hailing app) and metered taxis cost little. The high-speed rail hub reaches Shanghai in about an hour and Beijing in under four. Almost everything is paid for by phone with WeChat Pay or Alipay, so it's worth setting these up soon after you arrive.
When to Go
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the loveliest seasons, with mild days, blossom or golden foliage on Purple Mountain. Summers are hot, humid and draining — Nanjing's "furnace" reputation is well earned — while winters are cold and damp rather than freezing.
Good to Know
- The Chinese yuan (CNY/RMB) is the currency, and Nanjing is affordable for such a major city.
- Mandarin is the official language and everyday English is limited, so a translation app is invaluable.
- Almost all payments are by phone — set up WeChat Pay or Alipay early.
- A VPN is needed for many Western sites and apps, so arrange one before you arrive.
- Nanjing is extremely safe, with very low rates of street crime.
- The whole country runs on China Standard Time (GMT+8).
