Nanjing | A Two-Day Special Forces-Style Short Trip

48 hours in Nanjing is a dialogue transcending time. From the lantern-lit oarsongs of the Qinhuai River to the Republic-era dreams veiled by plane trees, this city blends historical gravitas with everyday charm into its unique romance. 🌆 Ancient Rhymes of Jinling **Day 1** Arrived at Nanjing South Station in the morning. Learned about temple and city wall history along the way. Noon 🍜 Laomendong delicacies: Li Ji’s beef potstickers + Jiming steamed soup dumplings (extremely fresh and delicious, highly recommended) + spicy black fish (forgot the name, but truly tasty—unlike the internet-famous spots, this was a random gem). A feast of Jiangnan’s delicate flavors. Afternoon 🏮 Confucius Temple-Qinhuai River: Strolled through Jiangnan Examination Hall, tracing the millennium-old imperial exam system; rented a painted boat to cruise the Qinhuai, dazzled by its ten-mile lantern glow. 💫 Nanjing Museum: Nine exhibition halls house the essence of Chinese civilization. Must-see: the "One Museum, Six Halls," especially the immersive Republic-era street scene in the Republic Hall—transporting you straight to the 1930s. Highly recommend booking the audio guide via mini-program (bundled with Zhongshan Scenic Area for Day 2 prep). Evening downpour forced hotel rest. Ordered crispy-skinned roast duck and salted duck—local favorites. "Duck Capital" indeed, though not my personal craving. **Day 2** 🌿 Zhongshan Scenic Area: At dawn, headed to "China’s No. 1 Cultural Mountain." Free entry before 6:30 AM! Felt like a wetland park—spent two hours wildlife-watching. At Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, marveled at stone guardian beasts standing sentinel for 600 years; ascended Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, awed by the idealism of "The World Belongs to All." On sunny days, the Music Terrace’s synchronized doves are magical—but holiday crowds and drizzle ruined the vibe. Noon’s braised pork noodles left a lasting impression. Afternoon oxygen therapy on plane-tree-shaded paths. In a frantic two-hour window, dashed to Hongshan Zoo. Played inspector, scrutinizing animal diets and habitats. Most outdoor animals retired early—let the rain pour. Indoor exhibits were one-way; sluggish crowds in the storm made me skip ahead. Caught a glimpse of the white tiger before rushing to the panda house. Nanjing’s stories hide in every city brick and plane tree leaf—though this trip was nearly drowned by rain.