Nanjing
Discover Nanjing
Nanjing (南京; Nánjīng), historically also Nanking, is the capital of Jiangsu province in China. At more than 8 million inhabitants (of which 6 million live in the city proper), it is one of China's largest cities. Nanjing is a major industrial city in the lower Yangtze River region and the Yangtze River Delta, serving as the central city of the northern wing of the Yangtze River Delta and the political, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, and information hub of Jiangsu Province. It is also one of China's comprehensive transportation and communication hubs as well as a key center for science and education. With over 2,500 years of history as a city and nearly 500 years as a capital, Nanjing is one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals. Known as the "Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties" and the "Metropolis of Ten Dynasties," it has historically been the political and cultural center of southern China. Nanjing boasts profound cultural heritage and a wealth of historical relics.
Taste of Nanjing...
Local specialties include xiaolongbao (小笼包), thin skinned dumplings filled with soup and meat, that are served steaming hot in baskets and tangbao (汤包), which are similar, but much larger and filled with crab meat and soup. The soup in these is drank with a straw. Another local specialty is salted duck (盐水鸭 yán shuǐ yā), which is a whole duck that is pickled, boiled and then served cold. Restaurants serving these can be found all over Nanjing usually in small hole in the wall restaurants or dining halls (餐厅) for cheap. You'll usually be able to find them served alongside yaxue fensi duck blood noodles (鸭血粉丝) another local specialty. Nanjing's bar scene is constantly changing. If you are visiting Nanjing, it is best to talk to locals or expats who can show you the best places to go in the moment. There is a government order is in place to shut down all bars and clubs at 02:00. Some places remain open, however, so it is best to meet people who can take you there. Night life in Nanjing is very much alive, and you can find the epicenter in Nanjing's 1912 District, which is comparable to Shanghai's Xintiandi. It is roughly a city block of two and three-story buildings, with paved courtyards between. Almost all are restaurants, bars or nightclubs, with a few spas and upmarket clothing shops in the mix. Many of the buildings look like they might have been around since 1912, and the newer ones match the style of the older ones.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Nanjing into what it is today.
Human activity in the Nanjing area dates back 1 to 1.2 million years. During the late Eastern Han dynasty, Sun Quan, who ruled the Jiangdong region, moved his administration to Moling in 211 AD. The following year, he renamed Moling to Jianye. In 229 AD, Sun Quan proclaimed himself emperor and established Eastern Wu, relocating the capital from Wuchang to Jianye, known for its natural defensive advantages described as "the dragon coils at Zhong Mountain, and the tiger crouches at Shitou." This marked the beginning of Nanjing's history as a capital city. During the Six Dynasties period, Jiankang (the later name for Jianye) served as the political, economic, and cultural center, making it the stage for the development of Six Dynasties’ institutions and granting Nanjing a distinct place among China's "Four Great Ancient Capitals." In the Tang dynasty, Jiankang's prominence was deliberately suppressed, but its geographical advantages allowed the region to revive and flourish again. In 1356, Zhu Yuanzhang captured Jiqing and renamed it Yingtian Prefecture. In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming dynasty and designated Yingtian as the capital. That same year, the Ming army captured Yuan Dadu (present-day Beijing), marking the first time Nanjing served as the capital of a unified dynasty, ushering in its second historical peak. The Xinhai Revolution of 1911 overthrew the Qing dynasty's monarchy....
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere is a subway connection between the airport and Nanjing South Railway Station called the S1 line which takes half an hour and costs ¥6. Be prepared for a rather long walk between lines 1 and S1 at the South Station interchange. A taxi ride to the downtown area will take the same time but cost around ¥100. There are two express-bus routes from the airport to downtown Nanjing - one terminates at the North Railway Station and one terminates at the South Railway Station and connect with the subway and local city buses. The services run at 30 minute intervals, it takes more than an hour to arrive at the North Railway Station. A one-way ticket costs ¥20 and can be purchased from the kiosk outside the arrivals hall. If you're flying into Shanghai then it is best to catch a high-speed G train from Shanghai Hongqiao train station that takes 75 minutes and costs ¥139.50 (2nd class)....
Regions
Explore AreasNanjing is a renowned historical and cultural city, and it was the capital of several dynasties over the course of Chinese history. Its name means "southern capital" (Beijing is "northern capital"). I…...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
If you're staying more than a few days it's worth buying a Jinlingtong (also known as IC-tong). These are available from any subway station, most bus termini and from any branch of Huaxia Bank (look for an information window displaying the letters 'IC'). The card costs ¥75 and contains ¥25 refundable deposit and ¥50 credit, and can be topped up at the aforementioned locations. The card can be used on the subway, all city buses (but not all suburban buses), cross-river ferries, taxis (although drivers are reluctant to accept them and may tell you the scanner is broken) and in some Suguo convenience stores. Taxis are a great way to get around and most trips will cost less than ¥25. The cab driver should start the meter as soon as you are picked up (all meters start at ¥9 + ¥2 service fee); if the cab driver doesn't start using the meter and if you don't say anything they may assume you don't know any better and overcharge you.
Where to Stay
Many accommodation providers, especially those in the sub-¥180/night category, do not accept foreigners. The yellow-exteriored 7 Day Inn chain, for example, will not accept foreigners in Nanjing even though this hotel chain is a good option in the ¥160/night range in most other Chinese cities. There have been many instances where foreign guys accompanied by Chinese girls in bar areas have been harassed or even stabbed and killed in fights. You are generally safe if you avoid conflict, even if this means swallowing your pride and walking away from someone insulting you or your girlfriend. There is little to gain by escalating a conflict instead of running away, especially in China where police will commonly side with Chinese citizens. Most crime happens late at night with at least one person under the influence of alcohol, and armed robbery is unheard of. However, unsecured possessions may be stolen at night such as unlocked mopeds.
Money & Budget
Local specialties include xiaolongbao (小笼包), thin skinned dumplings filled with soup and meat, that are served steaming hot in baskets and tangbao (汤包), which are similar, but much larger and filled with crab meat and soup. The soup in these is drank with a straw. Another local specialty is salted duck (盐水鸭 yán shuǐ yā), which is a whole duck that is pickled, boiled and then served cold. Restaurants serving these can be found all over Nanjing usually in small hole in the wall restaurants or dining halls (餐厅) for cheap. You'll usually be able to find them served alongside yaxue fensi duck blood noodles (鸭血粉丝) another local specialty. Nanjing's bar scene is constantly changing.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
There have been many instances where foreign guys accompanied by Chinese girls in bar areas have been harassed or even stabbed and killed in fights. You are generally safe if you avoid conflict, even if this means swallowing your pride and walking away from someone insulting you or your girlfriend. There is little to gain by escalating a conflict instead of running away, especially in China where police will commonly side with Chinese citizens. Most crime happens late at night with at least one person under the influence of alcohol, and armed robbery is unheard of. However, unsecured possessions may be stolen at night such as unlocked mopeds. Pickpocketing is a problem in Fuzimiao as well as on crowded buses, the subway and around the main transport hubs.