Trip Overview
When: June (best season for mild weather)
Duration: 2 days
Travelers: Group of friends
Budget: ~800 RMB (~$110 USD)
Transportation: Subway and taxi
Essential Foreigner Info
Getting Around: Nanjing's subway system is efficient and English-friendly. Most major attractions are reachable by metro—download the 南京地铁 (Nanjing Metro) app or use Alipay's transit function. Taxis are cheap (starting 11 RMB) and great for areas not near metro stations.
Money Matters: Mobile payment is ubiquitous—Alipay or WeChat Pay everywhere. Carry 100 RMB cash for small vendors and tips.
Language: Most younger locals speak basic English at tourist spots. Learn these key phrases: Zai nar? (在哪里? - Where is it?), Zhege duo shao qian? (这个多少钱? - How much?)
Day 1: Old门东 & City Vibes
Nanjing has an understated elegance—it's not trying to be trendy or flashy. The city whispers rather than shouts, and that's exactly its charm. Ancient or Republican, Qinhuai or Ming Palace, everything feels layered with history here.
If you slow down—way down—you'll notice the alleyways, the sunset, the bookstores. Even the old power plant chimney that's no longer there, the ginkgo trees on Beijing West Road in autumn, and the last day of Nanbao Park bus terminal all tell their own stories.
Transportation: The Subway
Thanks to the convenient transit lines, most places in Nanjing are reachable by direct subway. Even between attractions, it's just a few stops. But here's the thing: the same route, the same metro car, yet everyone sees a different Nanjing out the window.
Lao Men Dong (老门东): The Old East Gate
First-timer alert: Don't confuse 老东门 with 老门东—they're different! 老门东 means "the area east of the old gate" (中华门), while 老门西 is west of it. Got it?
This area was historically home to wealthy merchant families. The街区 preserves numerous historic buildings, and even the renovations follow the "repair as it was" principle. No cookie-cutter souvenir shops selling identical jade, silver, or African drums. No chaotic food stalls on the main street.
Sure, these are all shops, but 老门东's stores have a distinct Jiangnan elegance—you won't find this elsewhere. On a rainy day, the old area is incredibly peaceful, with trumpet vines adding to the artistic atmosphere.
Firewood Wonton (柴火馄饨)
All the world's flavors boil down to one bowl of mortal fireworks. Old Nanjing's firewood wonton—now almost impossible to find—are still hiding deep in 老门东.
Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge (南京长江大桥)
Watching from the bridge deck is a completely different experience. The first double-deck bridge designed and built entirely by China, 南京长江大桥 is Nanjing's icon—symbolizing the city's rise.
South Fort Park (南堡公园)
Address: No. 7, East Taopu Street, Baota District (Add/鼓楼区宝塔桥东街7号)
Route: 20-minute taxi ride from hotel (~15 RMB)
Ticket: 15 RMB (7 RMB park entry, 8 RMB for bridge elevator—need to validate at memorial hall first)
Hours: 08:00-18:00, last entry 17:30
Zhu Ziqing once wrote that Nanjing is worth lingering in, yet what he wrote was just a traveler's impressions. Standing here, you understand why—the park offers a unique perspective of the bridge and river.
Stay: Nanjing Hongyang Hotel (南京弘阳酒店)
Location: Pukou District, Daqiao North Road (浦口大桥北路)
When night falls, the lights are bright. The hotel is about 18 minutes from 南京北站 (Nanjing North Railway Station) and 南京长江大桥, about 37 minutes from the city center.
Overall: Simple and minimalist—great for business travelers.
Design
The lobby uses warm, muted tones with朴实 texture—comforting after a day of exploring. The rooms blend Metropolitan simple-European with Southeast Asian business style.
The zero-pressure room has rich spatial layers. Light curtains frame two large windows—very bright. Wooden furniture and printed carpets give a vintage feel. The flowing patterns on the wall behind the bed create a Zen-like ethereal quality.
Modern and retro elements collide naturally. Under the warmth, the decor pieces, blue chair, and yoga mat feel lived-in.
Restaurant
Abundant food options and clean environment match the hotel's positioning. Table mats and tableware placement are well-considered.
Day 2: 牌楼 & Culinary Trail
Sipailou (四牌楼): Southeast University Area
Southeast University (东南大学) at the Sipailou campus looks like an oil painting come to life.
Near Xinjekou (新街口), there's a Xinhua Bookstore—not huge, but worth a visit for nostalgia.
Morning drizzle, then evening wind chimes—old dreams become new days.
Cafe Mo (cafe mo)
Hidden in a small alley, this place is small but dreamy—the owner has real taste for life.
Recommended: Iced latte and caramel macchiato—both design and taste are excellent.
Address: 4-5 Sipailou (四牌楼4-5号)
Yi Wei Old Brine Noodles (一味老卤面)
The house specialty is sauce-mixed noodles (酱拌面). The brine is not greasy or bland—sesame is fragrant and plentiful.
Vegetarian Chicken Dry Mixed Noodles (素鸡干拌面)
The vegetarian chicken has crispy skin that won't go soggy, full of broth—not dry at all.
Lion's Head Meatballs (狮子头)
The lion's head contains egg yolk—generous ingredients and substantial.
You Mian (囿面)
Scallion oil mixed noodles. The pickled vegetables (肥肠) are lean, the ribs (小排) are slightly salty, and the kidney (腰花) is excellent.
Address: Near Southeast University Sipailou Campus (东南大学四牌楼校区附近)