Nanjing
ChinaCfa
© OpenStreetMap, CARTO
金陵王气 | The royal aura of Jinling
Why visit
Nanjing is one of China's deepest historical cities. Walk the 25 km of Ming city wall (the longest in the world), visit Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum on Purple Mountain via 392 white stone steps, and trace ancient routes through the Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) night market. The Nanjing Massacre Memorial is sobering and essential. Eat salted duck (yan shui ya) and tangbao (soup dumplings). Spring brings cherry blossoms at Jiming Temple. Xuanwu Lake's pavilions and the Qinhuai River gondolas at dusk give the city poetic atmosphere.
When to avoid
Summers (July to August) are notoriously brutal, Nanjing is one of China's 'three furnaces' with highs near 38°C and oppressive humidity. The Nanjing Massacre Memorial is heavy and may not suit young children or sensitive visitors. Air quality can dip badly in winter. National holidays (Chinese New Year, May Day, Golden Week in early October) bring colossal crowds at sites like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Purple Mountain. China requires visas for most visitors and Western payment apps (WeChat Pay, Alipay) are essential to navigate daily life.