Nanjing, previously known as Jinling, is one of the four ancient capitals of China. The capital city of six ancient dynasties, the Southern Tang, the Ming Dynasty, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and the Republic of China were all established here. This ancient capital has a thousand years of history and culture, is home to many ancient buildings and cultural artifacts. The city of Nanjing administers 11 districts and the Yangtze River passes through the west side of the main city. The main popular attractions are located in the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Confucius Temple scenic area. The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum brings together many historical attractions in Nanjing, such as the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. The bustling Confucius Temple represents Qinhuai style and is the most prosperous area from the six ancient dynasties.
Nanjing is a modern city with beautiful scenery. The famous Zhongshan scenic area is on the east side of the city and the main business districts and attractions are between the Yangtze River and Zijin Mountain. Xuanwu Lake is at the foot of the west side of Zijin Mountain. The surrounding area is one of the liveliest business districts in Nanjing. Train stations, bus terminals, and Hunan Road Food Street are all located here. In the southern part of the city, the Qinhuai River scenic area and Confucius Temple can be found. There are not only a large number of well-reserved ancient constructions such as the Jiangnan Examination Hall, and the former residence of Li Xiangjun, but also countless foods and great nighttime scenery. The Tangshan hot springs, located about 28 kilometers to the east of the city, are also a popular attraction.
Nanjing is very suitable for weekend excursions. Visitors can spend one day at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, and Confucius Temple and the next day at Xuanwu Lake and the Presidential Palace. Of course, there are many scenic spots worth spending more time in Nanjing for. For visitors who’d like to learn more about Nanjing’s history and culture, spending four to five days in the city should be sufficient.
Nanjing has a subtropical humid climate with an average annual temperature of 15.3°C. Hot summers and cold winters is a significant climate feature that Nanjing has compared to other southern cities. The best time to travel to Nanjing is during the spring and autumn. At this time, Nanjing is not only pleasant in climate, but also full of flowers and urban landscapes. From February to March, plum blossoms bloom on Meishan. At the beginning of April, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the temperature is about 5-17°C, many visitors make their way to Nanjing. From June to August in the summer, Nanjing is hot and rainy with high temperatures sometimes reach as high as 40°C during the months of July and August. The temperature is generally around 35°C, which is why it’s known as one of the “three furnaces” of the country. Mid to late June is the rainy season which lasts for about one month. Due to frequent rainfall during this period, it’s important to plan your trip carefully. The period from September through November is also a great time to visit Nanjing. In the fall, the temperature is around 16-27°C and the leaves on Qixia Mountain turn a beautiful hue of red. In addition to seeing the fragrant osmanthus and maple leaves with the autumn frost, you can also enjoy Gaochun hairy crab and other autumn fruits and seafood. In the winter months of December and February, Nanjing is slightly cold with an average temperature of -1-8°C. Most people wear down jackets and thick sweaters during this time. In December, it usually snows, making it the perfect time to check out the winter scenery at Mount Zhongshan. Moreover, the Tangshan hot springs are one of the four hot springs in the country. Visitors can soak in hot springs with a backdrop of snowy weather. Many hotels in Nanjing are also located in the hot spring area.