[2025 Nanjing Attraction] Travel Guide for Laomendong Memorial Archway (Updated Apr)

Laomendong Overview: Located east of Zhonghua Gate in Nanjing's Qinhuai District, Laomendong is an important part of the Confucius Temple-Qinhuai Scenic Area. It's free to enter and open all day. The area retains the traditional features of old southern Nanjing, with its antique charm and unique flavor. I recommend spending 2–3 hours here. If you happen to visit during the Mid-Autumn Festival or the Lantern Festival, the atmosphere is amazing. It's worth spending more time exploring! Transportation: I highly recommend taking the subway. Take Line 3 to Wudingmen Station, Exit 2, and it's a 10-minute walk. It's convenient and fast. If you drive, there is a parking lot in the scenic area, but it can be crowded during the holidays, so you'll need some patience. Must-See Attractions: 1. Jinling Art Museum: Open 9:00–17:00 (closed on Mondays), free admission. It showcases the human stories of ancient Nanjing's neighborhoods and regularly hosts artist exhibitions. A must-visit for art lovers. 2. Librairie Avant-Garde Junhui Bookstore: Open 10:00–21:00. Hidden in the streets, the all-wood Anhui-style architecture is very distinctive. Reading and taking photos here feels great. 3. Jiezi Garden: Open 9:30–16:30, admission CNY 15. This is the former residence of Li Yu, a famous figure in the early Qing Dynasty. The garden is small and exquisite. Wearing Hanfu for photos here guarantees great shots. 4. Nanjing Yue Opera Museum: Open 9:00–17:00, free admission. The two-courtyard complex displays costumes and collections. You can also listen to operas in the small theater in the second courtyard and experience the charm of traditional opera. 5. Deyunshe: Performances on weekends 14:00–16:30, Tuesday–Sunday 19:30–22:00. If you like crosstalk, don't miss it. Book your tickets in advance! Itinerary: Enter from the "Laomendong" archway, first walk along Gutong Lane, where you can see various specialty shops and food stalls. Then go to Santiaoying to see the quaint architecture and check out Librairie Avant-Garde Junhui Bookstore. Then stroll around Zhongying, and finally go to Jiezi Garden to experience the beauty of classical gardens. If you have enough time, you can also visit Jinling Art Museum and Nanjing Yue Opera Museum. Food Recommendations: 6. Lu Shi Plum Blossom Cake: There are various fillings such as red bean paste and fruit. It's sweet, soft, and glutinous. You must try the classic red bean paste filling. 7. Tofu Dynasty: The crispy on the outside and tender on the inside Blizzard Stinky Tofu is super satisfying. Pair it with refreshing and non-greasy matcha soy milk for a perfect combination. 8. Miao Dong Spare Ribs: The fried spare ribs are very flavorful. You can choose from cumin, spicy, plum and other seasonings. Eat it while it's hot, the more you chew, the more fragrant it becomes. 9. Jiang Youji (Halal): A Nanjing time-honored brand. The beef pot stickers are a must-order. The outer skin is crispy, and the soup is overflowing with one bite. The meat filling is super tender. 10. Jiming Tangbao: A cage of chicken soup dumplings has six pieces. The taste is fresh and fragrant, the soup is rich, and one bite is super satisfying. 11. Lan Laoda Sweet Porridge and Lotus Root Shop: Red Bean Dumplings, Sweet Lotus Root Porridge, and Sweet Taro Seedlings are all very popular. The sweet lotus root is sweet and glutinous, and the porridge is also sweet and delicious.

Don't miss this amazing 3-day Nanjing tour! Savor exquisite dishes at highly-rated local restaurants that will surely amaze you. Take a cruise on the Qinhuai River to experience the blend of history and modernity, then ride through the magnificent Phoenix Tree Boulevard to deeply experience Nanjing's unique charm. Start your Nanjing journey now! -------------------- 🚩Itinerary: Day 1️⃣: Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone -> Laomendong Archway Begin your journey by exploring the rich cultural heritage of Niushou Mountain, experiencing the perfect blend of history and nature. In the evening, stroll to Laomendong Archway to savor Nanjing's ancient charm and embark on a journey through time. Day 2️⃣: Porcelain Tower Heritage Park -> Presidential Palace -> Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Scenic Area -> Linguan Road -> Confucius Temple Qinhuai Scenic Area On the second day, experience the historical changes at the Porcelain Tower ruins, then visit the Presidential Palace to witness modern history's grand waves. In the afternoon, climb to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum to pay tribute to the great leader, and take a peaceful walk along Linguan Road. As night falls, take a Qinhuai River cruise, pass through Phoenix Tree Boulevard, and explore the Confucius Temple Qinhuai Scenic Area to appreciate Nanjing's night beauty. Day 3️⃣: Xuanwu Lake Park -> Nanjing Museum On the final day, stroll through Xuanwu Lake Park to enjoy the tranquility and harmony of nature. In the afternoon, visit Nanjing Museum to explore historical treasures and experience cultural heritage and charm. Conclude your delightful Nanjing journey with wonderful memories. -------------------- Must-Visit Attractions: - 🌊Xuanwu Lake Park: One of the three famous lakes in Jiangnan! Each of the five islets offers different scenery, with Cui Island particularly lush. Recently, adorable White-crowned Robins have been spotted - come experience nature's charm! - 🏯Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone: The beauty of Spring Niushou lives up to its reputation! Here you'll find both historical Chan Buddhist relics and breathtaking natural scenery - definitely worth a visit! - 🎑Confucius Temple Qinhuai Scenic Area: Along the Qinhuai River, next to Confucius Temple, where ancient charm meets modernity. The ten-mile Qinhuai night view is dreamlike - don't miss it! - 🎨Nanjing Museum: Want to experience the charm of art? Nanjing Museum is the place to be! The museum's treasure, a gilt Tibetan-style Buddhist pagoda from the Ming Dynasty, will surely amaze you, with many more treasures waiting to be discovered! -------------------- 🧳 Travel Checklist: 👕 Clothing: Nanjing is still cold in March. Bring light jackets, thin sweaters, and comfortable sneakers. 🎒 Personal Items: Don't forget rain gear as March in Nanjing is rainy. Power banks and charging cables are also essential. 📷 Entertainment Prep: Remember to bring your camera or phone to capture beautiful scenes, along with enough storage space and backup batteries. 🆔 Documents and Others: ID card, cash, and credit cards are essential. Also prepare emergency contact information just in case. -------------------- That's all for the Nanjing tour guide! Don't forget to follow me for more exciting itineraries and personal travel tips!

Laomendong is not only a historical and cultural district, but also a treasure that combines nature, art and food. The following is a tailor-made tour guide to take you to feel the unique charm of Laomendong: --- ### **1.Flower Fun: Feel the blend of nature and art** The floral decoration of Laomendong is very exquisite, especially in spring or holidays, the neighborhood is decorated with various flowers to be particularly beautiful: - **Flower viewing**: Strolling along the stone road, the flower beds, potted plants and fresh flowers in the corner of the wall are refreshing. You can take pictures of these beautiful moments and record the beauty of "flower fun". - **Floral Experience**: If interested, you can take a flower arrangement course and make a bouquet of your own floral work. - **Floral themed food**: Taste jasmine tea, osmanthus cake, rose cake and other flower-related delicacies. --- ### **2. Playful Copper Sculpture: A Collision of Art and Interest** The copper sculptures of Laomendong are a highlight of the neighborhood. These sculptures are vivid and interesting and full of life: - **Photo Interaction**: Copper sculptures are scattered around the neighborhood, some pulling rickshaws, some selling sugar gourds, some playing chess... You can interact with these sculptures for photos and record the playful moments. - **Cultural Story**: These sculptures are not only interesting, but also show the market life of old Nanjing, from which you can feel the strong historical and cultural atmosphere. - **Looking for hidden sculptures**: There are numerous copper sculptures in Laomendong, some hidden in inconspicuous corners, you can stroll while "treasure hunt" to add to the fun of play. --- ### **3. Eat: Taste the taste of old Nanjing** The delicacies of Laomendong are definitely not to be missed! There are many authentic Nanjing snacks and traditional delicacies here: - **Recommended Food**: - Pastry: Crispy and delicious, both salty and sweet. - Pot stickers: thin skin and more filling, delicious soup. - Sugar congee lotus root: sweet and soft, warming the stomach and heart. - Plum cake: unique shape, rich taste. - **Flower-themed dessert**: You can try some floral-inspired desserts such as cherry blossom mousse, lotus ice cream. --- ### **4.Play: Immersive Cultural Experience** In addition to flower viewing and sculptures, Laomendong also has many fun activities: - **Traditional craft experience**: You can try to make traditional crafts such as paper cuttings and clay figures to feel the charm of intangible cultural heritage. - **Street Performance**: There are often street artists performing in Laomendong, such as traditional opera and folk music performances, you can stop and enjoy. - **Creation and Creative Stores**: Stroll around the arts and crafts shops in the neighborhood and pick out some unique souvenirs to take home. --- ### **5.Listen: Feel the sound of old Nanjing** Laomendong is not only a visual feast, but also can feel its cultural charm through the auditory: - **Traditional Xiqu**: At the teahouse or open-air stage in Laomendong, you can enjoy authentic Nanjing Baiju, Pingtan and other performances. - **Street Music**: Some street artists will play traditional music using instruments such as erhu and flute to add a touch of art to your journey. --- ### **6.Recommended Routes** To make your ride smoother, here’s a classic route recommended: 1. **Starting point**: Enter from the old gate east archway, first take a picture with the copper sculpture at the door. 2. **Flower viewing**: Stroll along the main street and admire the floral arrangements on both sides. 3. **Interactive Sculpture**: While strolling around, look for hidden copper sculptures and take photos. 4. **Food Experience**: Savor authentic Nanjing cuisine at the snack street. 5. **Cultural Experience**: Visit a craft shop or teahouse to feel the cultural atmosphere of old Nanjing. 6. **End**: Sit down in a corner of the neighborhood, drink a cup of flower tea, and quietly feel the leisure and beauty of Laomendong. --- ### **Tips** - **Best time**: Morning or evening is softly lit, suitable for photography, and relatively few people. - **Wearing Suggestions**: You can wear some comfortable shoes for easy strolling; - **Slow tour experience**: Laomendong is suitable for slow strolling, fine tasting, feel the beauty of every detail. --- We hope you have fun on your “Flower Fun” and Copper Sculpture Tour in Laomendong, take beautiful photos and leave unforgettable memories! 🌸✨

🏮Don't Miss the "Qinhuai Lantern Festival" at Lao Men Dong ✨Celebrate the New Year at Lao Men Dong🧨 🏮Zodiac Lanterns ✨In front of the Lao Men Dong Archway, at the intersection 🏮Butterfly Lanterns🦋 ✨At the main entrance of Lao Men Dong 🏮Giant Blue Whale Lantern🐳 ✨On the main road of Gutong Lane 🏮Winding Coin Snake Lantern ✨At San Tiao Ying 🏮Main Lantern: Beautiful Snake King🐍 ✨At the end of the main road, under the city wall, stunning👍🏻 🏮Various Cute Little Snakes ✨Small snake lanterns scattered throughout the scenic area, randomly placed The pink "Beautiful Snake King" is both majestic and charming💓 Best photo spot📸: Second floor of the Starbucks next door Citywalk Route📈 Lao Men Dong - Xiao Xi Hu - Confucius Temple 📍Lao Men Dong 🚇Metro Line 3, Wudingmen Station, Exit 2 5️⃣Lights up, lots of snacks, perfect for an evening stroll

Hey guys, here's a 3-day Nanjing itinerary! Explore the ancient capital of Jinling without missing a beat. Save it now! -------------------- 🚩Itinerary: Day 1: Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone—Laomendong Archway Visit the Buddhist holy land of Niushoushan and experience its rich cultural heritage. Stroll through Laomendong in the evening and savor the charm of the ancient capital. Day 2: Grand Bao'en Temple Heritage Park—Presidential Palace of Nanjing—Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum—Lingyuan Road—Confucius Temple Qinhuai Scenic Area Travel through history and visit the Grand Bao'en Temple Heritage Park. Then head to the Presidential Palace of Nanjing and experience the grandeur of modern history. In the afternoon, visit the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum to pay tribute to Dr. Sun Yat-sen and enjoy a peaceful walk along Lingyuan Road. Visit the Confucius Temple at night and enjoy the Qinhuai River scenery. Day 3: Xuanwu Lake Scenic Area—Nanjing Museum Enjoy the lake and mountain scenery at Xuanwu Lake Scenic Area and experience the tranquility and harmony of nature. In the afternoon, head to the Nanjing Museum to explore historical treasures and savor the ancient capital's millennia-old culture. 🔚End your pleasant trip to Nanjing and return home with fond memories! -------------------- Must-Visit Attractions: - 🏞️Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone: Known for its beautiful spring scenery, explore the historical sites of Niutou Zen and experience the fusion of culture and nature. - 🌉Confucius Temple Qinhuai Scenic Area: Stroll along the Qinhuai River and visit the Confucius Temple at night to enjoy the ancient charm of the lanterns and the beautiful night view of the Qinhuai River. - 🏛️Presidential Palace of Nanjing: Discover the perfect blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles and trace the grandeur of modern history. This is a historical site not to be missed. - 🎨Nanjing Museum: The museum's treasure, the Ming Dynasty gilded Tibetan-style pagoda, shines brightly and lets you experience the splendor of art. -------------------- Packing List: 🧳Going to Nanjing? Don't forget to bring these! 👗 Clothing: Nanjing is a bit cold in January, so a thick coat, scarf, and gloves are a must to keep you warm and stylish. 🎒 Personal Items: Power bank and charging cable to keep your phone charged and ready to take photos and post on social media. 🎫 Documents: ID card, cash, and credit card. Safety first when traveling. 🍞 Food and Water: Bring some snacks and water so you don't have to wait in line for food when there are a lot of people at the attractions. 📸 Photography Equipment: How can you go to Nanjing without taking photos? Bring a camera or phone stabilizer to capture beautiful moments. -------------------- Nanjing is a city of stories and beautiful scenery waiting for you to explore every corner. Don't miss it!✨

I've heard that Laomendong has only become popular in the last few years. At the end of the street is the Ming City Wall. It's a commercial street with a decent amount of foot traffic. It's a good place to wander around while waiting for a table.

|Don't Miss Nanjing in Autumn! 3-day Nanjing tour, explore the ancient capital with a different experience every day! This super detailed guide will take you on a journey to discover Jinling, where history and modernity blend, and food and scenery coexist. Start your Nanjing journey now! . 🎉Route Recommendation: 3-Day Nanjing In-Depth Tour🎉 Day 1️⃣: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Scenic Area—Laomendong Archway—Laomendong Historical Block Visit Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum to feel the weight of history; stroll through Laomendong to savor the charm of the ancient city and experience the unique historical and cultural atmosphere of Nanjing. Day 2️⃣: Presidential Palace of Nanjing—Grand Bao'en Temple Heritage Park—Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone—Confucius Temple Qinhuai Scenic Area Wander through the historical corridors of the Presidential Palace, visit the ruins of the Grand Bao'en Temple, climb to the top of Niushou Mountain to enjoy the magnificent scenery, and indulge in the Qinhuai scenery of the Confucius Temple at night. Day 3️⃣: Xuanwu Lake Scenic Area—Nanjing Museum Enjoy the tranquility of nature by Xuanwu Lake, explore the traces of history in Nanjing Museum, and end your 3-day exciting journey perfectly. . Attraction Recommendations: 🌟 Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone: Known for its beauty in spring, explore the historical sites of Niutou Zen and experience the fusion of culture and nature. 🌉 Confucius Temple Qinhuai Scenic Area: Stroll along the Qinhuai River, feel the ancient charm of the Confucius Temple, and enjoy the dazzling sea of lights along the Qinhuai River at night. 🏛️ Presidential Palace of Nanjing: This Sino-Western architectural complex is a landmark attraction in Nanjing, witnessing China's modern history, and is not to be missed. . Travel Preparation: 🧳 Going to Nanjing? Don't Forget to Bring These! 👗 Clothing: Bring a thick coat and sweater, as Nanjing gets cooler in November, and keeping warm is important. Comfortable shoes are a must, as walking around the streets is common. 🎒 Carry-on Bag: Prepare a lightweight backpack to hold your phone, wallet, and some small items for easy access. 📷 Photography Equipment: Nanjing has many beautiful sights, so make sure your camera or phone is fully charged, and bring a power bank to capture every beautiful moment. 🪪 Documents: Don't forget your ID card, student ID, and other discount documents, as many attractions accept them, saving you a lot of money. 💊 Medicine: Bring some common medicines like cold medicine and stomach medicine, just in case. 🌂 Rain Gear: It sometimes rains in Nanjing in November, so bring an umbrella or raincoat to be prepared. 🧴 Skincare Products: Moisturizer, lip balm, etc., as the autumn wind rises, your skin needs extra care. . ✨That's it for the Nanjing tour. Don't forget to like and save! For more exciting guides, follow me and explore the north and south of the Yangtze River!✨

💓 There are too many people ✅ Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo → National Creation Park → Xinmenxi → Yihelu to 'Happy Old Home' Hongshan Zoo, when you get tired, take a stroll in the National Creation Park, an old factory building rejuvenated into a creative park, with vintage shops, art exhibitions, bars, coffee shops, perfectly capturing the aesthetic and preferences of artistic youths. Visit Yue Dong·Xinmenxi to check in at the cultural wall, and take a photo with 'Nanjing' and 'Jinling'. 😁😁 Gourmet check-in tour 💟💟💟 Chananzao Market → Nanhu East Road → Hongmiao → Sanqibajie → Suojincun (near Nanjing Station) If you don't want to take risks and are pressed for time, for those who come to Nanjing for the first time and have little chance to come again, I suggest you try the Nanjing food stalls; Meiling porridge and roasted duck are both very good;

Laomendong's strong New Year atmosphere is simply far ahead~ The dragon lantern is mainly divided into three parts: 1. Giant dragon lantern, 16 meters high and 22 meters long, the real thing is very shocking (📍Under the Ming City Wall, walk to the end of the Laomendong Archway) 2. Long dragon, said to be 50 meters long, winding through the entire street (📍Jishanli) 3. Fish turns into dragon, group of dragons (📍San Tiaoying) 💡Lighting time: 17:30～22:00 🚏Address: Nanjing Laomendong Pedestrian Street 🚇Transportation: Exit 2 of Wudingmen Station on Metro Line 3, about 900 meters walk (it is not recommended to drive, there are few parking spaces and it is relatively congested)

Nanjing is a very suitable city for backpackers, with convenient subway and concentrated scenic spots, such as Confucius Temple, Laomendong, Lane 378, a gathering of delicious food, soup dumplings, duck meat, cakes, Nanjing Museum, Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall, and the leisurely ancient Qinhuai River. I had a four-day and three-night trip to the misty Jiangnan area and it was very pleasant.

#gooutside #staycation #foodie