Nanjing is the ideal place to connect with history. Traces of time's passage abound across this ancient capital. From Ming Xiaoling's seasonal blooms to the folk heritage at Jiangnan Arsenal, the setting sun over Tai City walls to power shifts at the Presidential Palace, Nanjing's past permeates the present. Quietly flow the Qinhuai River's rippling waves, inviting reflection on the Six Dynasties' splendor and decline, the romance of Wang Xizhi and Xie Daqi, and the Qinhuai River's legendary beauties.
This once flourishing and ruined city, once resplendent and rain-drenched, offers memorable experiences. Yet Nanjing is no weary elder. New Street's bustle, Hunan Road and Confucius Temple's cuisine draw visitors too. Glory faded but spirit undimmed, Nanjing mingles eras and moods - ancient capital regality, Republican-era pathos, youthful dynamism - for an unrivaled historical immersion.
Jinling Lantern Festival
Experience the Shanghai Peach Blossom Festival
Locals in Shanghai have a custom of appreciating peach blossoms in spring. Pudong New Area is one of the most important spots for flower viewing, and in recent years, the Peach Blossom Festival held there has become a popular spring outing destination for Shanghai residents. At the festival, visitors can not only view flowers, but also enjoy various celebratory events at attractions around Taohua Village and nearby Xinchang Ancient Town, including Taoyuan, Binhai Seaworld Peach Blossom Village, Shanghai Fresh Flower Port, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Binhai Golf Club, and Pudong Shooting Club. It allows people to have a fulfilling experience all in one go.
Location: Taoyuan Folk Village, Pudong New Area
Time: Every March-April
Stroll under canopies of delicate pink blossoms in Shanghai. Meander peaceful trails lined with peach trees in full bloom. Stop and sniff fragrant flowers fluttering in the breeze. Capture stunning photos of petals framing traditional water towns. After flower viewing, unwind at tea houses serving refreshing peach juice. As spring's first blooms emerge, celebrate rebirth with Shanghai's joyous festival of flowers.
Climbing the City Head
Experience the Shanghai Peach Blossom Festival
Locals in Shanghai have a custom of appreciating peach blossoms in spring. Pudong New Area is one of the most important spots for flower viewing, and in recent years, the Peach Blossom Festival held there has become a popular spring outing destination for Shanghai residents. At the festival, visitors can not only view flowers, but also enjoy various celebratory events at attractions around Taohua Village and nearby Xinchang Ancient Town, including Taoyuan, Binhai Seaworld Peach Blossom Village, Shanghai Fresh Flower Port, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Binhai Golf Club, and Pudong Shooting Club. It allows people to have a fulfilling experience all in one go.
Location: Taoyuan Folk Village, Pudong New Area
Time: Every March-April
Stroll under canopies of delicate pink blossoms in Shanghai. Meander peaceful trails lined with peach trees in full bloom. Stop and sniff fragrant flowers fluttering in the breeze. Capture stunning photos of petals framing traditional water towns. After flower viewing, unwind at tea houses serving refreshing peach juice. As spring's first blooms emerge, celebrate rebirth with Shanghai's joyous festival of flowers.
Shangsi Festival
Experience the Shanghai Peach Blossom Festival
Locals in Shanghai have a custom of appreciating peach blossoms in spring. Pudong New Area is one of the most important spots for flower viewing, and in recent years, the Peach Blossom Festival held there has become a popular spring outing destination for Shanghai residents. At the festival, visitors can not only view flowers, but also enjoy various celebratory events at attractions around Taohua Village and nearby Xinchang Ancient Town, including Taoyuan, Binhai Seaworld Peach Blossom Village, Shanghai Fresh Flower Port, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Binhai Golf Club, and Pudong Shooting Club. It allows people to have a fulfilling experience all in one go.
Location: Taoyuan Folk Village, Pudong New Area
Time: Every March-April
Stroll under canopies of delicate pink blossoms in Shanghai. Meander peaceful trails lined with peach trees in full bloom. Stop and sniff fragrant flowers fluttering in the breeze. Capture stunning photos of petals framing traditional water towns. After flower viewing, unwind at tea houses serving refreshing peach juice. As spring's first blooms emerge, celebrate rebirth with Shanghai's joyous festival of flowers.
Nanjing International Plum Blossom Festival
Experience the Shanghai Peach Blossom Festival
Locals in Shanghai have a custom of appreciating peach blossoms in spring. Pudong New Area is one of the most important spots for flower viewing, and in recent years, the Peach Blossom Festival held there has become a popular spring outing destination for Shanghai residents. At the festival, visitors can not only view flowers, but also enjoy various celebratory events at attractions around Taohua Village and nearby Xinchang Ancient Town, including Taoyuan, Binhai Seaworld Peach Blossom Village, Shanghai Fresh Flower Port, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Binhai Golf Club, and Pudong Shooting Club. It allows people to have a fulfilling experience all in one go.
Location: Taoyuan Folk Village, Pudong New Area
Time: Every March-April
Stroll under canopies of delicate pink blossoms in Shanghai. Meander peaceful trails lined with peach trees in full bloom. Stop and sniff fragrant flowers fluttering in the breeze. Capture stunning photos of petals framing traditional water towns. After flower viewing, unwind at tea houses serving refreshing peach juice. As spring's first blooms emerge, celebrate rebirth with Shanghai's joyous festival of flowers.
China Gaochun International Slow City Jinhua Tourism Festival
Experience the Shanghai Peach Blossom Festival
Locals in Shanghai have a custom of appreciating peach blossoms in spring. Pudong New Area is one of the most important spots for flower viewing, and in recent years, the Peach Blossom Festival held there has become a popular spring outing destination for Shanghai residents. At the festival, visitors can not only view flowers, but also enjoy various celebratory events at attractions around Taohua Village and nearby Xinchang Ancient Town, including Taoyuan, Binhai Seaworld Peach Blossom Village, Shanghai Fresh Flower Port, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Binhai Golf Club, and Pudong Shooting Club. It allows people to have a fulfilling experience all in one go.
Location: Taoyuan Folk Village, Pudong New Area
Time: Every March-April
Stroll under canopies of delicate pink blossoms in Shanghai. Meander peaceful trails lined with peach trees in full bloom. Stop and sniff fragrant flowers fluttering in the breeze. Capture stunning photos of petals framing traditional water towns. After flower viewing, unwind at tea houses serving refreshing peach juice. As spring's first blooms emerge, celebrate rebirth with Shanghai's joyous festival of flowers.
If you are a literary and artistic youth
For the artistically-inclined youth, Nanjing is a haven. Don't miss Xianfeng Bookstore, the bars of Shanghai Road, Nanjing University, and the villa enclaves of Meiyuan Xincun. Rent a stylish mountain bike and cruise the tree-lined boulevards glowing golden in autumn sun. Cross the mighty Yangtze River bridge on foot as the sunset paints the sky in dazzling hues. Lose yourself in the Republican-era architecture of the Yihe Road diplomatic quarter, bounded by Jiangsu, Beijing West, Xikang, and Ningxia Roads. Wander off the beaten path through atmospheric alleys like Gaoyunling, Houzaixiang, and Fu Honggang. Visit the former Qing Dynasty arsenal now converted into the creative 1865 Industrial Park. For the ultimate old city experience, walk the entire ancient City Wall. Of course, no trip is complete without visiting Nanjing University. Then pop over to the fashionable cafés, boutiques and bookstores of Qingdao and Shanghai Roads - hailed as Nanjing's creative hub. With an artistic eye, discover history and beauty everywhere from bustling streets to quiet temples. Let Nanjing's rich cultural layers inspire your own creative spirit.
Best Travel Time
The best travel time in Nanjing is spring (March May) and autumn (September November). In the spring of Nanjing, the blooming plum blossoms on Meihua Mountain and the cherry blossoms outside Jiming Temple are particularly charming. In autumn, on Qixia Mountain and in the Shinto of Ming Xiaoling, red leaves are like fire, and layers of forest are stained. If there is a chance of encountering heavy snow in Nanjing in December, it is also fascinating, as the snow scenery in Jiangnan is charming and moving. Tangshan Hot Spring will bring you infinite warmth in this cold winter. The most unfavorable season: July August is the hottest season in Nanjing, with the highest temperature sometimes reaching as high as 40 ℃Dressing Guidelines
Nanjing's mild springs (March-May) and autumns (September-November) require only shirts (or sweaters) and light jackets during the day, but early mornings and evenings call for extra layers against the chill. The plum rain season from early June to early July means umbrellas are a must. Nanjing's damp, cold winters (December-February) demand down jackets and other warm layers to stay comfortable. Packing versatile pieces makes adjusting to Nanjing's variable conditions a breeze. Cool lightweight layers work for daytime wanders during shoulder seasons. Warmer options take the edge off mornings and nights. Waterproof shoes and an umbrella provide rain protection amid the summer showers. And bundling up in wool, down, and windproof outerwear keeps winter’s bite at bay. Checking forecasts and packing options for every occasion ensures you’re ready for Nanjing’s shifting weather.
History
Known as Jinling in ancient times, Nanjing is one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals along with Beijing, Xi'an and Luoyang. Since Sun Quan of Eastern Wu established Nanjing as capital in 229CE, it has served as capital for the Eastern Jin, Southern Song, Qi, Liang, Chen, Southern Tang, Ming dynasty, Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and the Nationalist government's Republic of China. Hence its nickname "City of Ten Dynasties."
The Eastern Wu, Eastern Jin, Southern Song, Qi, Liang and Chen - six Han Chinese regimes - built capitals in Nanjing, earning it the title "Capital of Six Dynasties." On April 23, 1949, the People's Liberation Army crossed the Yangtze and took Nanjing, toppling the Nationalist regime and opening a new chapter in the millennia-old story of this storied city.
Religion and Culture
Religion: As one of the earliest centers of Buddhist culture in China, Nanjing remains a hub for Buddhist study and propagation along with Chinese Islam. The old Muslim quarter at Qinhuai River nurtured one of China’s foremost Islamic communities, drawing pilgrims to this day. Nanjing is also the birthplace of the Islamic cultural renaissance among Hui Muslims.
Culture: Scholar Zhu Hou compares China's four great ancient capitals - Chang'an, Luoyang, Nanjing, and Beijing - concluding that Nanjing excelled in thriving literary talent, picturesque scenery, monumental aura, and close ties sharing the nation's trials and tribulations. Serving as capital of the Six Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, Nanjing historically hosted diverse schools from imperial academies to village schools. After abolishing the civil service exam system in the late Qing, many modern universities, colleges, and schools emerged in Nanjing. Despite frequent political turnover, Nanjing's distinct courtly and folk cultures complemented each other, forging a rich yet flexible cultural identity. Nanjing culture blends northern and southern influences with abundant intangible heritage like wood carving, copperware, stone carving, gourd carving, clay sculpture, paper cutting, shadow puppetry, lantern festivals, kite flying, etc. Four Nanjing traditions - Yunjin brocade weaving, gold foil crafts, sutra block printing, and the Qinhuai Lantern Fair - were inscribed on China's first national intangible heritage list.