Nanjing 4-Day In-Depth Travel Guide: From Cherry Blossoms to Maple Leaves, Savoring Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup and Potstickers

Nanjing is a city rich in history and culture with beautiful natural scenery. Here is a travel guide for Nanjing: Best Travel Time - Spring and autumn have pleasant weather, making them the best seasons to visit. In spring (March to May), cherry blossoms bloom at Jiming Temple, and the willows by Xuanwu Lake sway gently; in autumn (September to November), the maple leaves on Qixia Mountain blaze like fire, and the ginkgo trees along the Sacred Way of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum turn golden. - Summer (June to August) is hot, and mid-June to early July is the plum rain season, so be sure to prepare for heat and rain; winter (December to February) is relatively cold, but if it snows, you can see the Jinling city covered in silver. Itinerary - Day 1: Zhongshan Scenic Area. In the morning, visit Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum; at noon, taste local delicacies at Xiama Fang Night Market; in the afternoon, climb Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, then head to the Music Stage; in the evening, ride a shared bike to check in at Meiling Palace. - Day 2: Explore and eat in Old South City. In the morning, go to Laomendong to try specialty snacks; in the afternoon, visit Confucius Temple and the Imperial Examination Museum; at night, take a night cruise on the Qinhuai River. - Day 3: Museum + Xuanwu Lake Leisure Day. In the morning, visit Nanjing Museum; in the afternoon, go boating on Xuanwu Lake and climb the Ming City Wall at Taicheng section; in the evening, have vegetarian noodles at Baiweizhai in Jiming Temple. - Day 4: In-depth Experience. In the morning, visit Niushou Mountain; in the evening, choose to watch the light show at Jinling Small Town or admire the dazzling night view of the Glazed Pagoda at Dabaoen Temple. Food Recommendations - Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup: Xiao Pan Ji’s duck blood vermicelli soup is fresh and delicious, with smooth vermicelli, one of Nanjing’s signature dishes. - Beef Potstickers: Li Ji Halal Restaurant’s beef potstickers have a crispy crust and juicy filling, a shop with over 90 years of history. - Zhang Yun Smoked Duck: Duck is a favorite among Nanjing locals; Zhang Yun’s smoked duck has crispy skin and tender meat, perfect when dipped in marinade. - Sweet Taro Shoots: At Laomendong, Lan Lao Da’s sweet taro shoots are glutinous and fragrant, paired with rich osmanthus and brown sugar, very warming. Accommodation Recommendations - Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton Nanjing is located downtown and has two Michelin-starred restaurants; Banyan Tree Nanjing Garden Expo Park is a hidden gem offering private hot springs in each room. - Family-friendly: Club Med Mediterranean White Ark Nanjing Xianlin Resort hosts bar party nights; Nanjing Ziqing Lake Hot Spring Resort features a zoo and forest hot springs for a great experience. - Budget: Orange Hotel opposite Deji Plaza in Xinjiekou offers smart room controls and a prime location; Manyou - Shiguang Forest is an artsy forest-themed hotel with affordable prices. Notes - Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing Museum, and Presidential Palace are closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly. - Zhongshan Scenic Area offers a 100 RMB combo ticket, which is more cost-effective than buying individual tickets. - Remember to book popular attractions like Nanjing Museum in advance. - Although Nanjing has many delicious foods, be mindful of your stomach and avoid overeating. - There is a lot of walking during the trip, so wear comfortable shoes.