Nanjing — Travel Guide for Foreign Visitors
Airport transfers, signature food and top things to do — everything a visitor needs in Nanjing.
Ancient capital with the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and a massive city wall.
🍜 Signature dishes in Nanjing
- 鸭血粉丝汤Duck Blood Noodles
- 盐水鸭Salted Duck
- 牛肉锅贴Beef Pan-fried Dumplings
- 桂花糖芋苗Osmanthus Taro
- 赤豆元宵Red Bean Tangyuan
- 金陵烤鸭Jinling Roast Duck
- 煮干丝Boiled Dried Tofu
- 活珠子Live Egg
- 皮肚面Pidu Noodles
- 鸭油酥烧饼Duck Oil Pastry
🎟️ Top things to do
- Confucius Temple
Night market by the river
- Zhongshan Scenic Area
Mausoleum & forest
- Ming City Wall
Walkable old wall
- Purple Mountain
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Grand stairway on Purple Mountain
- Confucius Temple & Qinhuai
Night market & river lights
- Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
UNESCO imperial tomb
- Nanjing Museum
Top provincial museum
- Presidential Palace
Modern history site
- City Wall Taicheng
Walk the old wall
- Laomendong
Old-town snack streets
- Nanjing Yangtze Bridge
Iconic bridge viewpoint
👥 Visitor tips
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from the airport to downtown Nanjing?
Take the metro or a taxi from NKG (Lukou) airport. The metro is the cheapest option; taxis are convenient for luggage and groups.
Do I need a visa to visit Nanjing on a layover?
Many nationalities can use China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy in Nanjing. Check your eligibility in the visa checker tool before travelling.
Is a layover in Nanjing visa free, and how long can I stay?
Inside the airport's international transit area you can wait up to 24 hours without a visa. To leave the airport, nationals of 57 countries can use the 240-hour visa-free transit (up to 10 days, counted from 00:00 the day after entry) and many others have 30-day visa-free entry. Full answers: see the visa & layover FAQ. Visa Q&A →
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Data provided by PivotCN · airport (NKG (Lukou)) · verify with official sources before travel.