Trip Overview
When: September (ideal weather for sightseeing)
Duration: 3 days
Travelers: Couple
Budget: ~1,000 RMB (~$140 USD)
Destination: Nanjing, China
Essential Foreigner Info
Getting There: Nanjing is well-connected by high-speed rail and flights. The Nanjing Metro provides easy access to major attractions.
Money Matters: Mobile payment (WeChat Pay, Alipay) is standard—bring a Chinese phone number to set up. Some hotels accept international cards.
Language: English is limited outside tourist areas. Learning basic phrases like '谢谢' (xièxie - thank you) helps.
Transportation: Didi (China's Uber) is convenient and cheap. Metro is efficient for getting around.
Day 1: Exploring Zhongshan Scenic Area
Our Nanjing adventure begins at the Zhongshan Scenic Area (钟山风景名胜区), a sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site in Xuanwu District. Known as Purple Mountain (紫金山), this area combines natural beauty with profound historical significance—it's been a royal burial ground for centuries.
Fun fact: Nanjing locals say the mountain gets its name from the purple clouds that often envelop the peak at sunrise. Whether that's meteorology or poetry, I'll let you decide—but the view is genuinely magical.
The area covers over 30 square kilometers and includes over 200 historical sites. To put that in perspective: you'd need a full week to see everything properly. We focused on the highlights.
Day 2: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (中山陵) is Nanjing's most iconic landmark—and for good reason. Built to honor the founding father of modern China, this massive architectural complex crowns Purple Mountain like a crown on a emperor.
Approaching from below, the mausoleum appears to float on a sea of green. The architecture is striking: white walls, blue tiles (matching the Kuomintang party colors), and a design that scholars describe as 'modern Chinese'—blending Western techniques with traditional forms.
Pro tip: The mausoleum is shaped like a giant alarm clock when viewed from above—a symbolic reminder that 'revolution is not yet complete.' Bring comfortable shoes; there are 392 steps from the entrance to the tomb.
Entering through the monumental gate inscribed with 'The World Belongs to the People' (天下为公), we climbed past the stone marquee pavilion with its massive white pillar—each step pulling us higher into the mountain's embrace.
The 392 steps represent the 392 million people in the Republic of China at the time of construction (1929). At the top, the sacrificial hall houses a magnificent white marble statue of Sun Yat-sen, crafted by renowned Polish-Italian sculptor Paul Lenkiewicz.
Foreigner tip: Visit early morning (before 9 AM) to avoid tour bus crowds. The mausoleum closes at 5:30 PM, and golden hour lighting makes photographs stunning.
The Music Pavilion
Just east of the mausoleum lies the Sun Yat-sen Music Pavilion (中山陵音乐台), built in 1932-33. This semicircular amphitheater is a hidden gem—most tourists miss it entirely.
The design is ingenious: a curved stone wall behind the stage amplifies sound, creating natural acoustics that made this venue famous for outdoor concerts. Today, it hosts the annual Nanjing Forest Music Festival.
We sat in the grass, listening to the breeze through the trees—a perfect romantic moment. The crescent-shaped lily pond in front added to the ethereal atmosphere.
Day 3: Ming Xiaoling Tomb
The Ming Xiaoling Tomb (明孝陵) is the final resting place of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and his empress Ma. This mausoleum represents the peak of imperial Chinese tomb architecture.
Construction took 25 years (1381-1405) and involved over 100,000 workers. The archaeological evidence confirms the tomb remains intact—unlike many royal mausoleums, it was never looted.
Reality check: The tomb itself is off-limits (for preservation), but the approach is spectacular. The Sacred Way (神道) stretches for over 1 kilometer, lined with massive stone sculptures—lions, camels, elephants, horses, and mythical creatures called qilin.
Each animal represents an aspect of imperial ideology: the lion symbolizes military power, the camel represents vast territory, and the elephant signifies peaceful rule. The 24 stone figures (6 types, 4 each) weigh several tons each.
Here's the fascinating part: the Sacred Way curves in the shape of the Big Dipper constellation—the seven stars that ancient Chinese believed determined human destiny. This astronomical layout is unique among Chinese imperial tombs.
Foreigner tip: The tomb area is adjacent to the Purple Mountain Astronomical Museum. Space enthusiasts can combine both visits for a full day of history and science.
Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang's story is remarkable—a poor orphan who became emperor and ruled China for 31 years. His mausoleum complex set the template for all subsequent Ming and Qing imperial tombs.
Kangxi Emperor's Tribute: During his southern tours, Qing Emperor Kangxi visited five times and wrote 'Governing Better Than Tang and Song' (治隆唐宋)—high praise from a Manchu ruler for a Han Chinese emperor.
Where We Stayed: Bena Hotel
After days of exploring, returning to Bena Hotel (柏纳酒店) felt like coming home. Located near Xuzhuang Metro Station and the Software Park area, this hotel exceeded our expectations.
First impressions: The staff greeted us warmly, asking about our reservation before we even reached the front desk. Service quality has clearly improved since previous reviews.
The room wasn't massive, but it was immaculately clean and thoughtfully designed. The smart room controls (via Tmall Genie voice assistant) were a game-changer—we adjusted AC, lighting, and curtains without leaving bed. Very convenient.
Pro hack: The mini-bar comes with complimentary drinks—no extra charge. A nice touch for budget travelers.
Sound insulation was solid—we never heard corridor noise or outside disturbances. slept like babies.
The breakfast buffet was generous—exactly what we needed after long days of sightseeing. At around 200 RMB per night, this hotel delivers exceptional value. Would absolutely stay again.