Hidden Gems in Nanjing for May Day! Locals' Secret Itinerary, Avoid the Crowds!

Skip the crowded Confucius Temple this May Day! This off-the-beaten-path guide unlocks Nanjing's secret treasures, from intangible cultural heritage crafts to riverside night tours, from Republican-era cafes to forest adventures. Experience 5 different styles of fun in 3 days! 🌟 Themed Itinerary 1: Intangible Cultural Heritage Craft Experience Day Morning: - Rong Flower Workshop (Xinanli): Learn to make hairpins with an intangible cultural heritage inheritor. The 3-hour course costs CNY 198/person, and you can take your finished product home! Hairpins paired with Hanfu are simply stunning! - Lacquer Fan Making (Nanjing Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Center): Mineral pigments + natural lacquer, parent-child tickets CNY 28/person. After painting your fan, use it as a prop for your evening stroll through Confucius Temple! Afternoon: - Six Dynasties Museum Digital Exhibition: Explore the bamboo forest designed by I.M. Pei, experience ancient life through AR, and play the "Six Dynasties Gathering" immersive theatre game! - Ke Alley Food Blind Box: Indulge in Xu Auntie's Qingtuan, Tao's Braised Chicken, and Grass Chicken Cake while strolling through the old market, experiencing the local life. Evening: - Laomendong Night Tour: Avoid the main streets and explore the alleys to find Junhui Bookstore. Capture atmospheric photos with the Republican-era architecture and rose-covered walls! 🌿 Themed Itinerary 2: Nature Exploration + Riverside Sunset Morning: - Seven Bridge Urn Park: Nanjing's "Water Maze" features seven ancient bridges spanning the river. Take a boat tour to see the "bird-covered trees." Free admission! - Zhongshan Botanical Garden: Explore the Cherry Blossom Avenue in the North Garden and the Tropical Plant Palace in the South Garden. The European Flower Exhibition costs CNY 45 for entry. Capture Instagram-worthy photos in the tulip fields! Afternoon: - Yuzui Wetland Park: Enjoy the lighthouse and Yangtze River sunset. Cycle along the greenway and spot finless porpoises! - Muyan Riverside: Climb Damao Ancient Cave for a panoramic view of the Yangtze River. Use the free telescopes at the "Finless Porpoise Observation Point" on the summit! Evening: - Wumadu Night Market: Enjoy barbecue by the Yangtze River, watch the sunset, and listen to street singers. Indulge in a feast for around CNY 50 per person! 🎨 Themed Itinerary 3: Republican Era Cultural Stroll Morning: - Yihe Road Mansion Area: Explore 112 Republican-era buildings and the newly opened art spaces in 2025. Find rare books at Librairie Avant-Garde (former US Embassy site)! - Lotus Mansion: Enjoy afternoon tea in a Qipao. CNY 298/person includes costume rental and refreshments. Capture retro-style photos! Afternoon: - Pukou Railway Station: Visit the filming location of Zhu Ziqing's "Back View." Take a ferry (CNY 2/person) to recreate the Republican-era river crossing and capture Hong Kong-style photos at the old platform! - Meiling Palace Afternoon Tea: Enjoy the "Blue Danube" cake for CNY 30/person while overlooking Zijin Mountain! Evening: - 1912 Block: Explore the Republican-era bar street. Enjoy jazz at "Gone with the Wind" for around CNY 80 per person. 🍜 Foodie Must-Try List - Beef Guotie: Li Ji Halal Restaurant (Dading Alley) offers juicy and non-greasy Guotie. The vinegar dip with chili oil adds an extra kick! - Tangzhou Lotus Root: Lan Laoda (Laomendong) offers a delicious combination of red bean dumplings and sugared taro. Sweetness overload! - Salted Duck: Zhangyun Dried Duck (Shengzhou Road) offers vacuum-packed salted duck, perfect with Osmanthus Duck Leg Rice! - Plum Blossom Cake: Zuo Shifu (Matai Street) offers red bean paste-filled plum blossom cakes, sprinkled with sugar for a crispy finish! 🚫 Things to Avoid 1. Reservations are essential: Book tickets for the Presidential Palace and Nanjing Museum 3 days in advance! Slots fill up quickly during May Day! 2. Travel off-peak: Arrive at Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum before 8 am to avoid tour groups. Visit Confucius Temple on Monday to Thursday evenings for fewer crowds and beautiful scenery! 3. Outfit suggestions: Wear light-colored Hanfu or Qipao for stunning photos at Laomendong and the Presidential Palace! 4. Scam alert: The "Old Nanjing Yogurt" on Confucius Temple Pedestrian Street is a fake. Look for the "Weigang" brand! 🎁 May Limited-Time Events - Xuanwu Lake Spring Flower Festival (Apr 30 - May 5): Enjoy duck blood vermicelli soup and salted duck at the Yingzhou Food Week! - Jinling National Peony Garden (Apr 3 - May 5): Admire the national flower for only CNY 9.9. Free entry for those wearing Hanfu! - Gaochun Slow City Ideal Life Season (Mar 16 - May 5): Cycle along the Yaxi Slow Road, pick strawberries, and catch crayfish for a relaxing experience! Nanjing's beauty lies in its alleys, in the fingertips of intangible cultural heritage crafts, and in the evening breeze by the river! This guide helps you avoid the crowds and experience the authentic charm of Jinling! 👋