Just an hour’s flight (or 90 minutes by high-speed train) northwest of Shanghai, China, and along the southeastern bank of the Yangtze River lies Nanjing, the capital of China’s Jiangsu province and home to 9 . 55 million inhabitants.
Here, viors will delight in a study in contrasts: picturesque nature trails and sloping mountains alongside mega grocery malls, towering skyscrapers and historic pagodas. And although Nanjing is historically off the beaten track for Western viewers, it is primed to make a splash into the Chinese tourism scene: Whether a guest is interested in history, art, culture or technology, the city offers a completely immersive delight combined with new comforts.
Here’s how to make the most of your trip to Nanjing.
While city dwellers can spend their time exploring the city’s trendy delights, taking the time to revel in Nanjing’s rich history and rich cultural ties is also a priority.
Although the city was the capital of China for 10 dynasties (covering an era of 1,800 years), visitors today would probably associate it with a more recent, darker chapter. The Nanjing Massacre, which took place over a six-week period between 1937 and 1938, resulted in the deaths of nearly 300,000 citizens through the Imperial Japanese Army. While a sobering experience, the no to Nanjing is complete without prevention at the Victims’ Memorial. Its exhibits, which include photographs, videography, writings and sculptures. , artifacts and, most fascinatingly, the remains of a mass grave, are also a vital reminder of the city’s resilience. The message “Remember history, but not with hate” greets museum visitors at the site, which has won some 60 awards. million visitors since its structure in 1985.
He recommends visitors take the time to walk along the walls of Nanjing’s ancient city, a preserved castle in the middle of the city that was built in 1368 by Emperor Hongwu after the founding of the Ming Dynasty. . Or recommend that they embark on an excursion through the 600 years of antiquity. Old Presidential Palace, a museum that was once the official department of several government offices.
Active travelers, to get their hearts pumping, can also enjoy a stopover at the Zijin Mountain Scenic Area (at the foot of Purple Mountain), where they can climb the attraction’s majestic steps to the Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat -sen, which – in In addition to offering magnificent panoramic views, it will pay tribute to the founding father of the Republic of China. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mingxiaoling Mausoleum can be combined with the Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and a stop on the same day; It is the final resting place of the founder of the Ming Dynasty and is set in 290 acres of picturesque gardens.
Guests don’t want to be devotees or practicing Buddhists to enjoy the Usnisa Palace, in the cultural and tourist area of Niushou Mountain, which today serves as a pilgrimage site. The palace’s striking architecture and sacred religious significance, along with its ornate design, are breathtaking. (Pro tip: Visit early, before the crowds arrive. )
Or, for a more modern view of the city, invite visitors to head to Nanjing’s downtown district, which is still packed with fresh restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Deji Plaza may remind visitors of a house: it is home to foreign retailers and designers. brands, plus their Instagram-worthy multi-level bathrooms that have taken social media by storm (and reportedly cost $5 million to build).
And just a 10-minute drive away is the Nanjing Confucius Temple, built in 1034 as a shrine to the philosopher, but today a modern cultural and advertising district along the Qinhuai River. Visitors will find shops, street food vendors, canal cruises, nighttime shows, and hordes of local women dressed in Hanfu-style clothing posing for professional photo shoots.
Visitors can even enjoy their own Hanfu photo experience with a professional photographer in the classic city of Jinling, where they will don classic outfits, hairstyles and make-ups and have a photo shoot with a professional photographer in the city (a reproduction of an ancient classical Chinese village). The attraction, built during the pandemic, is nestled among gardens and meandering streams. After their photo shoot, visitors can walk through the picturesque streets, explore a history museum (with a 3D virtual truth experience), watch dance performances, browse the shops, appreciate the amazing architecture and lighting, and much more.
Visitors arriving in China from the United States will need a tourist visa, which they can apply for through the visa office of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China (with physical locations in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, and Washington DC). The application procedure can be lengthy and involves submitting a physical copy of the client’s passport, along with supporting documents and the visa application, at the visa worksite. Using a visa service can help make the experience easier and faster.
Or, consumers from 54 other countries (adding the United States and Canada) transiting through China would likely be eligible for a transit visa waiver. The exemption applies to consumers traveling to 31 ports in 23 cities and 18 provinces in China, including Beijing, Shanghai. and Nanjing, while heading to a third country. These passengers must pass through the airport with an indicated flight within the allotted time (either 72 or 144 hours). For stays of less than 24 hours, a visa is not required. .