Nanjing Travel Guide

Explore Nanjing for 5 days and 4 nights with 2000 RMB! Stay by the Qinhuai River, climb Purple Mountain, enjoy duck blood vermicelli soup, all with incredible value! Nanjing, the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, is rich in history and full of vibrant local life. As an experienced travel blogger, I’ve customized a high-value 5-day, 4-night Nanjing itinerary under 2000 RMB per person. Stay in old town alleys, visit classic attractions, and savor authentic flavors—perfect for students and working professionals alike! 🗺️ Itinerary (Culture + Nature + Food combined) Day 1: Arrive in Nanjing → Check in at Confucius Temple/Qinhuai River guesthouse → Night tour of Laomendong Recommended to arrive by high-speed train at “Nanjing South Station,” then take the subway directly to downtown. Stay at a unique guesthouse near Confucius Temple (180 RMB/night), with a window view of the Qinhuai River. In the evening, stroll through Laomendong with its blue brick alleys and intangible cultural heritage shops, check in at the Vanguard Bookstore branch, and enjoy dinner with Jīmíng soup dumplings and Jiǎng Yǒu Jì potstickers, all for about 50 RMB per person until full! Day 2: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum + Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum + Music Stage day hike Early morning subway ride to Purple Mountain, visit Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (free, reservation required), climb 392 steps for a panoramic view of Jinling city. Visit Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (70 RMB) to see the stone statues along the royal tomb path from the Ming Dynasty. Don’t miss the Music Stage, 5 RMB entrance, with pigeons flying everywhere—perfect for stunning photos! Day 3: Nanjing Museum + Xuanwu Lake + Qinhuai River night cruise on a painted boat Morning reservation at Nanjing Museum (free), one of China’s top three museums, featuring the golden-thread jade burial suit and Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove brick paintings. Afternoon walk or bike ride around Xuanwu Lake (bike rental 20 RMB/hour), with a distant view of the Zifeng Tower. Evening Qinhuai River painted boat night cruise (80 RMB), with dreamy lights that feel like traveling through a thousand years of prosperity. Day 4: Presidential Palace + Imperial Examination Museum + Street food with duck blood vermicelli soup Visit the Republican-era landmark Presidential Palace (35 RMB ticket) to experience modern history. Next door is the Imperial Examination Museum (50 RMB), showcasing the journey from underground “step-by-step promotion” to top scholar. For lunch, don’t miss the memorable duck blood vermicelli soup or local old shops deep in the alleys, plus a side of salted duck—authentic flavors! Day 5: Photo shoot at Yihe Road mansion district + Buy souvenirs and return Take it slow on the last day with a stroll along Yihe Road, where the Republic-era villas are shaded by sycamore trees, full of artistic vibes. Pick up some Yuhua tea, osmanthus sugar taro shoots canned food, and salted duck to take home for a perfect ending! ✅ Budget Breakdown (per person) - Transportation: Round-trip high-speed train ≈ 600 RMB (book early) + city subway and bus ≈ 80 RMB - Accommodation: 4 nights × 180 = 720 RMB - Food: 60 RMB/day × 5 = 300 RMB - Tickets: Ming Xiaoling + Presidential Palace + Imperial Exam Museum + painted boat ≈ 240 RMB 👉 Total: about 1940 RMB, easily kept under 2000! ✔️ Book all attractions in advance! Nanjing Museum and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum require ticket reservations; ✔️ Nanjing snacks are hidden in alleys—don’t just stick to tourist shops at Confucius Temple; ✔️ Subway is the most convenient way to get around, download “Tianyi Transportation” app to scan and ride.