Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders

Zhongshan National Scenic Area (Purple Mountain)

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (Plaza of Universal Love, Tomb Road, Mausoleum Gate, Stele Pavilion, Memorial Hall, Tomb Chamber): free; Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum: ¥70; Music Terrace: ¥10; Linggu Scenic Area (including Linggu Temple): ¥35; Meiling Palace: ¥30; combined ticket for the entire scenic area: ¥100

Qinhuai River

Qinhuai River → Confucius Temple → Dacheng Hall → Mingde Hall → Zunjing Pavilion → Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall → Wuyi Lane → Former Residences of the Wang and Xie Families → Former Residence of Wu Jingzi → Taoye Ferry → Chaotian Palace → Zhonghua Gate. The five-kilometer-long Qinhuai River scenic belt, centered on Confucius Temple, is both Nanjing’s largest entertainment hub and a hugely popular sightseeing area. “Ten Li Qinhuai” refers to the prosperity of the Qinhuai River area in the past, when merchants gathered and culture flourished. Successive dynasties described it as “a district of wind, flowers, and moonlight, a gathering place of gold dust and elegance.” After renovation, the Qinhuai River still has painted boats, waterside pavilions, green windows, and vermilion doors, but the addition of many modern lighting technologies makes it somewhat noisy, and it retains little of the leisurely charm of earlier times.

Yuejiang Tower Scenic Area

One of China’s Top Ten Cultural Pavilions and one of the Four Great Towers of the Jiangnan region, Yuejiang Tower is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and one of the New Forty-Eight Scenes of Jinling. It is known as “the number one tower in Jiangnan.”

¥40 · 1–3 hours

Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone

Also known as Tianque Mountain, Niushou Mountain takes its name from the twin peaks on its summit, which resemble the two horns of a bull’s head. It is one of the Four Great Scenic Spots of Jinling and is known as “the Spring Niushou.” Ancient Jinling scenes include the Niushou Mist and the Zutang Bell-Ringing. The mountain also preserves many historic sites, such as Yue Fei’s Anti-Jin Fortress and the Zheng He Cultural Park.

¥88 · 4–6 hours

Qixia Mountain

Known as “the most beautiful mountain in Jinling,” Qixia Mountain is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and one of China’s four top destinations for autumn foliage. In deep autumn, the mountain turns red all over, like the evening glow settling on the hills, a truly spectacular sight.

¥80 · 2–4 hours

Yuhuatai

Yuhuatai is made up of three beautiful hills encircled by pines and cypresses. It has a history of more than 3,000 years and is praised with the saying, “Six dynasties of Yuhua condense the spirit of heaven and earth; a volume of history forges a sacred terrace for the ages.” It consists of six functional zones: the Historic Sites Area, the Martyrs’ Cemetery Area, the Yuhua Stone Culture Area, the Yuhua Tea Culture Area, the Recreation and Activity Area, and the Ecological Forest Area. It houses the largest martyrs’ memorial complex in China, historic sites with a long past, lush mountain forests, seasonal flowers and plants, and the world-famous Yuhua stones and the renowned Yuhua tea. In recent years, more than 20 historic sites, pavilions, towers, and halls have been newly rebuilt, including Yuhua Pavilion, Erzhong Temple, Muowei Pavilion, the Qianlong Imperial Stele Pavilion, Ganlu Well, Xiyuan Garden, Yiyuan Garden, and Meigang.

3 hours or more