Best Nanjing 2-Day Itinerary with Attractions

Nanjing is a city brimming with historical significance and a place that deserves a visit. Many friends choose to spend two days exploring Nanjing during the week. Today, we’re going to recommend the best itinerary for a 2-day Nanjing trip, along with introductions to the attractions! Let’s take a look!

1、Route Recommendations

Day 1:

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Scenic Area – Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum – Confucius Temple

Day 2:

Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall – Yuhua Terrace – Yuejiang Tower

2、Attraction Introductions

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is the tomb of the great Dr. Sun Yat-sen. While inheriting the style of traditional Chinese tombs, it also incorporates Western architectural features, giving it a solemn and dignified feel. The long flight of stairs in the garden is a must-climb. Once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted by a different kind of scenery. I’ve heard more than one person quote the poem, “I will climb to the top of the mountain and overlook all the mountains.” Don’t be afraid of climbing the stairs; it’s truly beautiful. There are also free tourist photos available.

Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Scenic Area is particularly large. It will take at least five hours to see everything. The main attractions include the Stone Elephant Road, the Longevity Deer Park, the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Palace, and the Metasequoia Forest. It’s recommended to first check out the most beautiful 600 meters of the Stone Elephant Road, then visit the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Palace. If you enjoy taking photos, be sure to capture the red walls of the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum; they’re very photogenic. Afterward, you can interact with the cute sika deer in the Longevity Deer Park and then stroll through the Metasequoia Forest.

Confucius Temple

When traveling to Nanjing, you must visit the Confucius Temple. It’s soulless during the day; the Confucius Temple at night is truly where you experience the warmth and vibrancy of life. Be sure to take a night cruise on the Qinhuai River. Aboard a Qinhuai painted boat, enjoy the breathtaking scenery on both sides of the river!

Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall

From the moment you enter the outdoor area, you can sense a powerful aura of national heroes. Follow the stone-paved plaza, with several concrete paths running through it, to the entrance of the memorial hall. As you descend the stairs, a feeling of heaviness descends upon you. On either side are the names and surnames of the deceased.

Inside, the hall is dark, sophisticated, and grand. There are survivor rosters and testimonies, Japanese military supplies from the massacre, diaries and confessions of Japanese officers and soldiers, and everyday items left behind at the scene. Each piece tells a story, a history of blood and horror.

Inside the hall, you can find the remains of some of the victims of the massacre, serving as irrefutable evidence. We must remember this history and strive to protect world peace.

Yuhua Terrace

Yuhua Terrace is a famous scenic area in Nanjing, a vast park where you can find memorials to the martyrs along the way, commemorating their sacrifices and understanding history. Yuhua Terrace is not only a tourist destination but also a great place for people to relax and cool off on weekends. It’s highly recommended to visit.

Yuejiang Tower

Known as the “First Tower in Jiangnan,” it is one of the four famous towers in Jiangnan. Standing at Yuejiang Tower, you’ll be truly amazed by its grandeur and the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty royal palace. Yuejiang Tower has a total of seven floors, with four outer floors and three hidden inner floors. The sixth floor is the observation deck; you must go up to it. Walking outside the tower, you can also overlook the entire Jinling City, offering breathtaking scenery.