Things to do in Nanjing

Niushou Mountain in Nanjing is truly a place that will leave you breathless upon arrival! The Buddha Palace's architectural design is ingenious, with its massive dome exuding grandeur. Inside, the interplay of light and shadow on the openwork dome is exquisite, both refined and solemn, creating a powerful visual impact. Climbing the Buddha Tower offers panoramic views of the entire mountain range, with rolling green hills and lakes stretching as far as the eye can see—a truly expansive and breathtaking vista. The park is vast, with stunning scenery at every turn. The natural landscape blends seamlessly with the architecture, creating a tranquil and healing atmosphere. The park boasts comprehensive facilities, clear signage, and a well-planned route. Whether you're appreciating architectural beauty or seeking peaceful relaxation, it's a worthwhile destination and highly recommended!

We entered the park at 2 PM, and the animals were quite active at that time. However, they went back to their enclosure around 4 or 5 PM. It's clear the park management puts a lot of thought into the setup and care of the animals; there are separate areas between people and animals to minimize human interference.

We were very fortunate that our top guide today was Ms. Dong Ling. Her professional expertise was solid; she didn't just recite from memory. She eloquently explained the stories and archaeological backgrounds behind each of the museum's treasures, making dry history vivid and easy to understand. My son and I deeply experienced the thousand-year history of Nanjing. Highly recommended!

The Confucius Temple and Jiangnan Examination Hall along the Qinhuai River in Nanjing offer stunning nighttime views. A stroll through them in the gentle autumn breeze is incredibly pleasant. There are free performances and some attractions that charge admission, so you can choose what to do. In short, anyone visiting Nanjing should definitely check them out.

If you haven't been there, it's worth a visit. It's a famous spot in Nanjing, always packed with people. As for the boat tour, if you haven't been before, you can take a ride, but it's probably a one-time thing, so the price isn't great. It's a 40-minute round trip on the boat, listening to the announcements, watching the night view of the Qinhuai River, with its many bridges along the banks. You can learn about history, see the waterscape and night view, and soak in the atmosphere.

Nanjing, a land of strategic importance, is the birthplace of emperors, with Zhongshan (Purple Mountain) being its central feature. A visit here includes the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum—to commemorate the revolutionary spirit of the Father of the Nation, emphasizing the public good; the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum—to witness the Ming Taizu's establishment of the imperial mausoleum system for the Ming and Qing dynasties; and the Meiling Palace—to lament the extravagance of the villas and the misrule of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling. The city also boasts beautiful sycamore-lined avenues and the "most beautiful 600 meters in Nanjing," making it a must-see destination that combines cultural and natural beauty. Given the beauty and historical weight of these historical sites, coupled with their vastness, a guided tour is highly recommended. Our guide, Mr. Zhang, was exceptionally meticulous and patient, caring for the elderly members of the group, answering everyone's questions, and even personally escorting everyone to the subway station at the end of the tour. His itinerary was scientifically designed and his explanations were based on historical facts, providing rich and detailed content—making him an excellent guide.

The stay was great! The hotel is right next to Atour Hotel, making it an excellent alternative that exceeded my expectations. The washing machine and dryer were very clean, the environment was quiet, and the service was attentive and responsive. The smart toilet and shower were clean, and the cabinets and tables provided convenient storage. The bedding was very comfortable, and the makeup mirror was much more convenient than the ones usually placed on the sink in hotels – perfect for sitting and applying makeup while relaxing. The hotel is right next to Leiting Mountain, and there's a small platform on the rooftop for a hairdryer. Another nice touch was the QR code for feedback posted next to the bathroom, allowing for timely feedback – fantastic! Guilin is wonderful; I'll definitely come back next time.

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Scenic Area, located on Zijin Mountain in Nanjing, is the tomb of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and a national 5A-level scenic area. Admission to the mausoleum is free. As the core of the Zhongshan Scenic Area, it is not only a memorial site but also a masterpiece of modern architectural art. Its unique architectural style: the overall plan is shaped like a "Liberty Bell," symbolizing the awakening of the people. There are 392 stone steps from the archway to the tomb chamber, symbolizing the 392 million people in China at that time. The core attractions are concentrated here: the Bo'ai Archway, the mausoleum gate, the stele pavilion, the sacrificial hall, and the tomb chamber. Surrounding these are auxiliary buildings such as the Music Stage, the Liuhui Pavilion, and the Meiling Palace.

You can have 2 options to visit the baorn temple- during the day and in the evening. We went during the daytime. I am impressed of the design and the decorations. There is even the lying buddha. People are allowed to go up the temple and don't worry there is an elevator.

A night cruise on the eastern section of the Qinhuai River was passable, but not breathtaking. In terms of lighting and color, it paled in comparison to the old streets of Tangshan's Hetou area; in terms of picturesque streetscapes, it fell short of the commercialized ancient towns of Jiangnan. It's a pity that the historical and cultural heritage of the Qinhuai River was wasted, as the only decent presentation was the crude and superficial electronic commentary. The price of 120 yuan isn't outrageous, but it certainly doesn't offer value for money. The management of the cruise ships was also rather lax; the day and night cruises were held consecutively, yet the prices differed significantly. Catching one of the last few day cruises, the 40-minute ride was roughly the same as the first few dozen night cruises, and you didn't have to wait in long lines at the dock like night cruise passengers.