3 Days Nanjing City Tour: Culture Highlights with Newly-Opened Niushoushan

Upon your arrival in Nanjing Train Station (arrival before 12:00 is recommended), you will be met for your train station pick-up and transfer to your hotel. After checking in and settling down, you will begin your exploration of this historic city.

Your first stop is the Zhonghua Gate & Ming Dynasty City Wall, the largest and best-preserved gate fortress of the Ming Dynasty. It is the world's largest existing Wengcheng (an outer defensive enclosure or barbican) and features three inner courtyards, four arched gates, and 27 vaulted tunnels (soldier-hiding holes) designed to shelter thousands of soldiers and store provisions. From the top of the wall, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Qinhuai River and the historic southern part of the city, experiencing the depth of Nanjing’s Six Dynasties heritage.

Visit the Confucius Temple – Qinhuai Scenic Area, the historic and cultural center of Nanjing. The area is built around the Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao), one of China’s earliest temples honoring Confucius and a symbol of traditional learning and ceremony. Nearby, explore the Jiangnan Examination Hall (Imperial Examination Museum), once the largest imperial examination center in ancient China, where countless scholars competed for civil service titles.

Walk through charming riverside streets lined with lanterns, traditional architecture, and local snacks, then enjoy scenic views along the Qinhuai River, known as the “Mother River of Nanjing.”

Optional Activity: After nightfall, you may take a Qinhuai River Boat Cruise (at your own expense). Gliding past illuminated pavilions, bridges, and ancient riverside buildings, this experience offers the most iconic night view of Nanjing.

After breakfast, you will drive to the Zhongshan Scenic Area to begin a day of exploring Nanjing’s most iconic landmarks.

First, visit the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the resting place of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China. This immense, solemn site is a masterpiece of architecture, blending traditional Chinese and Western styles. You will enter through the grand Archway of Universal Love, then walk up the ceremonial staircase of 392 steps, representing Dr. Sun’s lifelong journey and national ideals. At the top stands the solemn memorial hall, housing a marble statue of Dr. Sun and offering panoramic views over the forested mountain and Nanjing city.

Continue to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the tomb of the Hongwu Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it holds immense historical weight. Your experience will include walking the famous Sacred Way, an impressive avenue lined with pairs of massive stone animals and military figures, which gracefully winds through the landscape, setting the imperial standard for tomb construction for centuries.

You will then visit the nearby Meiling Palace (Meilinggong), the magnificent former residence of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling. This building is a splendid example of Chinese palatial architecture, famously dubbed the "First Villa of the Republic Era." From above, the palace and its surrounding tree-lined avenue are said to resemble a "Pearl Necklace," symbolizing Chiang Kai-shek's enduring love for Soong Mei-ling. Inside, you can explore the preserved living quarters and learn about the former First Lady's life and historical significance.

In the afternoon, head back to the city to visit the Presidential Palace. This complex served as the official headquarters of the Republic of China government and has a layered history spanning over 600 years, from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Nationalist government. You will tour the blend of classical Chinese gardens and Western-style offices, feeling the weight of the many pivotal moments in modern Chinese history that unfolded within its walls.

After breakfast, drive from your hotel to the Niushoushan Culture Park (about 40-60 minutes). Niushou mountain is celebrated as a major spiritual landmark in Nanjing and serves as the permanent resting place for the sacred Usnisa Parietal Bone Relic of the Buddha.

The absolute highlight of your visit is the magnificent Usnisa Palace. This immense underground palace complex represents a perfect blend of modern architecture and Buddhist culture. It cleverly utilizes the topography of a former quarry, concealing the majority of the structure deep underground, crowned by a huge lotus-shaped dome that is sure to impress visitors. The palace interior is vast, divided into three floors above ground and six floors below, creating a mysterious underground Buddhist kingdom. You will spend the morning exploring its grand interiors, including the Chan State Scenery (featuring a giant reclining Buddha), the Thousand Buddha Hall, the Ten Thousand Buddha Corridor.

After the tour, you will be transferred to the train station for your departure.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Nanjing tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia!