Capital of six dynasties, wrapped in the world's longest surviving city wall. Ming tombs under the plane trees, lantern-lit Qinhuai nights, and museums that hold both the grandeur and the grief of China's history.
Tip Purple Mountain bundles the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling Tomb into one green half-day. The Massacre Memorial is free, sober and worth the time — go in a quiet frame of mind. Plane-tree avenues are at their best in autumn.
Evening guideLantern boats, the Confucius Temple bazaar and the snack street — where to eat and when the lights come on.
History guideThe best-preserved stretches to climb, the Zhonghua Gate fortress, and how the wall ties the city together.
Green guidePairing the imperial tombs with a lakeside afternoon — the cable car, the trails, and the easy loop.
Reserve a free slot on the official WeChat mini-program; same-day spots run out. Allow 90 quiet minutes.
Sun Yat-sen + Ming Xiaoling + the sacred way in one morning. Take the little sightseeing shuttle between them.
Every neighbourhood has a shop selling it by weight — get a quarter to go and eat it by Xuanwu Lake.
Yes it's busy. Yes the boat is a bit cheesy. The whole river glowing gold at night is still magic.
Travelling with a 12-year-old. Worth taking them, or is it too much? How long do people usually spend?