Culture Experiences in Nanjing China
The Center of Buddhism Culture
The Center of Buddhism Culture – A Place for Pilgrimage and Worship of Buddhism.
Since the introduction and spreading of Buddhism into China nearly 2000 years ago, Nanjing had played a decisive role in the development of the Buddhism in China. A lot of famous temples and Buddhist monks appeared here in history. Archaeological findings reappeared the parietal bone of Sakyamuni which has been treasured under the relics of a famous temple in the early Ming Dynasty recently. Therefore Nanjing becomes a Buddhism culture center in China.
Famous Temples Recommended:
Qixia Temple
Ticket: 20 RMB (Rise in price during the Maple Leaf Festival)
Tel: +86 25 85768152
Add: No.88, Qixia Street, Qixia District
Opening hours: 7:00-17:00
Transportation: Bus 138, 南栖线,南上线 / Qixiasi Stop
Driving Route: Xuanwu Dadao- Ningzhen Road
Xuanzang Temple
Add: On the top of Jiuhua Hill
Ticket: 10 RMB
Tel: +86 25 83213373
Add: Jiuhua Shanzhuang, Beijing East Street.
Opening hours: 8:30-17:30
Transportation: Bus 2,11,20,24,44,48,67,70,140/Beijing Donglu Stop
Jiming Temple
Ticket: 7 RMB
Tel: +86 25 57715595
Add: NO.1, Jimingsi
Opening hours: 7:00-17:00
Transportation: Bus1,2,3,11,20,24,31,44,48,52,67,70,304/Jimingsi Lu Stop
Historical Relics of Ming Dynasty
Historical Relics of Ming Dynasty – Seeking Treasures of the Middle Ages in China
1. Xiaoling Tomb Complex
Xiaoling Tomb is the burial place of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming Dynasty. It has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage.
Ticket: 70 RMB
Tel: +86 25 84446111
Opening hours: 8:30-17:00
Transportation: Metro Line 2/ Muxu Station, Bus 3, 20, 315 / Mingxiaoling Stop
2. Zhonghua City-Gate
World No.1 Citadel and the biggest wall gate of the Ming Dynasty.
Ticket: 34 RMB
Tel: +86 25 86625435
Opening hours: 8:30-21:00
Transportation: Bus 88/ Zhonghuamennei Stop, Bus 14,23,33,43,46, 81,87/ Changlelu Stop
3. Chaotian Palace
A center for ancestor wordship during the Ming Dynasty and a private temple and academy dedicated to Confucius.
Ticket: 20 RMB
Tel: +86 25 84200177
Add: NO.4, Chaotiangong
Opening hours: 8:00-16:00
Transportation: Bus 4, 48,82,83/Chaotiangong Stop
4. Yuejiang Pavilion
Praised as one of the four famous towers in Jiangnan, Yuejiang Pavilion is unique for its particular history and royal style.
Ticket: 40 RMB
Tel.: +86 25 58590255, 58590298, 58590297, 5859029
Add: No.202, Jianning Street.
Opening hours:
7:00-18:00 (April-October)
7:30-17:30 (November-March)
Transportation: Bus 10,12,21,54,150 / Daqiaofandian Stop
5. Yangshan Stele
The biggest stone tablet in the history of the world.
Ticket: CNY 40
Tel: +86 25 84111108
Add: Tangshan Jiedao, Jiangning District
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
Transportation: Bus No. 845 Loop Line 1/2
6. Mochou Lake Park
With the name coming from a beautiful legend, the park is pleasant lined with Chinese flowering apple and full of lotus flower.
Ticket: 30 RMB
Tel: +86 25 86661790
Add: No.132, Shuiximen Dajie
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
Transportation: Metro Line 2, Bus 4, 7, 13, 23, 37, 41, 48, 306 / Mochouhu GongRMB Stop
Republican-era Architecture
Republican-era Architecture – Tracing the History and Culture of the Republic of China
1. Dr.Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum
Located at the south side of the Purple Montain, it is Dr.Sun Yat-sen's mausoleum who is recognized as the father of modern China.
Ticket: Free
Tel: +86 25 84446111
Opening hours: 8:30-17:00（Closed every Monday）
Transportation: Metro Line 2/ Xiamafang Station; Bus 1, 9 / Zhongshanling Stop
2. Presidential Palace
The history which has threaded through the Presidential Palace is rich, and it has been known as the museum of Chinese modern history.
Ticket: 40 RMB
Tel: +86 25 84578700
Add: No.292, Changjiang Rd.
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
Transportation: Metro Line 2/ Daxinggong Station, Bus1, 2,29,44,65,95 / Zongtongfu Stop
4. The Memorial of Meiyuan New Village
The site of the 1946-1947 attempt at peace talks between the envoys of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party delegation led by Zhou Enlai.
Ticket: Free
Tel: +86 25 84540739
Add: No.18-1, Hanfu Rd.
Opening hours: 8:30-16:30 (Closed every Monday)
Transportation: Metro Line 2 / Daxinggong Station, Bus1, 2, 29, 44, 65, 95 / Zongtongfu Stop
5. Chiang Kai-shek Hot Spring Villa
An exclusive hot spring villa for Chiang Kai-shek.
Ticket: 12 RMB
Tel: +86 25 68582668
Add: No.3, Wenquan Street, Jiangning District
Opening hours: 8:30-17:00
Transportation: Metro Line 2 to Maqun Station, and change "宁句线" to Tangshan Stop
6. 1912 Leisure Block
Consisted of more than 20 buildings which are all Republican-era structures, 1912 is the nightlife center in Nanjing.
Add: Crossing of Changjiang Rd. and Taipingbei Rd., next to the Presidential Palace
Transportation: Metro Line 2 / Daxinggong Station, Bus1, 2, 3, 31, 44, 65, 68, 95, 304 / Daxinggongbei Stop
7. Former Legation Area at Yihe Road
These less-trafficked, tree-lined streets were the legation quarter and high-end residential area when the city was the capital of the Republic of China in 1930s and 1940s.
Add: Bordering Jiangsu Road to the east and Xikang Road to the west
Transportation: Bus 318 / Yihelu Stop, Bus 3,21,109,302 / Xikanglu Stop; Bus 11,24,42,56,65 / Yuquanlu Stop; Bus 78/Moganlu Stop; Bus 8,22,114 / Fuzuolu Stop
Historical Relics about Zheng He
Historical Relics about Zheng He – Following the Great Navigator's Footprints
The great navigator Zheng He, who has an intimate connection with Nanjing, is an outstanding figure with a worldwide reputation in Chinese history. He made voyages for 7 times, lasting 28 years and arrived of more than 30 countries and regions. Linking up the "Silk Road on Sea", Zheng He had made a major contribution to enhancing the friendly contacts between China and Asian-African countries.
——Residing
Zheng He Park
Private garden of Zheng He's residence when he was living in Nanjing.
Ticket: Free
Tel: +86 25 84419742
Add: No.35, Taiping Xiang
Transportation: Bus 2,1,31,44,49,60,95,304 / Taipingxiang Stop
——Sailing
Treasure-ship Shipyard
It was the place where Zheng He had the famous ocean-going treasure boat built, which was also the starting point of the 7 journeys Zheng He made across the ocean.
Ticket: 30 RMB
Tel: +86 25 86227011
Add: No.57, Lijiang Road
Transportation: Bus 47, 72, 133, 307 / Baochuanyizhi Gongyuan Stop
——Blessing
Jinghai Temple and Tianfei Palace
This historical scenic area is located at the foot of Lion Mountain near the Yangtze River, which were built by the emperors of the Ming Dynasty, to pray safety and sacrifice the Ocean God Tianfei (Macau).
Ticket: Free
Tel: +86 25 58808703 / 58801266
Add: No.284-No.288, Jianning Street
Transportation: Bus 10,12,21,54,150/ Daqiaofandian Stop
——Relating
Tomb of the King from Brunei
The tomb buried a king from Brunei, who visited China in the Ming Dynasty after Zheng He's visit to Brunei during his voyages, which is the witness to Zheng He's contribution to the communication between China and Asian countries.
Ticket: 15 RMB
Tel: +86 25 52894103
Add: Ruanjian Avenue
Transportation: Bus 120,129 / Ningshuanglu Stop
——Returning
Zheng He Tomb
The tomb stands at the foot of Niushou Mountain, building as the Puhading style of Islam.
Ticket: 20 RMB
Tel: +86 25 86138528
Add: Inside the Niushou Mountain Scenic Area
Transportation: Bus 155, 安丹线 / Niushoushan Fengjingqu Stop
Museums and Memorial Halls
Museums and Memorial Halls – the Science and Education World
1. Purple Mountain Observatory
Astronomical research base of the Chinese Academy of Science.
Ticket: 15 RMB
Tel: +86 25 84440768
Opening hours: 8:30-16:30
Transportation: Bus3,20,315/ Zijinshan Suodao Stop
2. Rain Flower Terrace
It is said that heaven rains flowers when the monk master Yunguang gave lectures on the terrace, which now includes a large museum dedicated to the martyrs during 1927 to 1949 in China.
Ticket: Free
Tel: +86 25 52430132
Add: No.215 Yuhua Rd, Yuhuatai District
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
Transportation: Metro Line 1/ Zhonghuamen Station Bus 2, 4, 26, 33, 44, 88, 305 / Yuhuatai Stop
3. Silk Brocade Museum
The traditional hand-weaving technology of Yun Brocade has a long history, which has been listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Ticket: Free
Tel: +86 25 58825757
Add: No.240, Chating St (East), Jianye District
Opening hours: 8:30-17:00
Transportation: Metro Line 2 / Yunjinlu Station, Bus 4, 7, 37, 61, 63 / Jiangdongmen Stop
4. The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders
More than 300 thousand innocent compatriots were killed by Japanese troops in 1937. It is built right on the ruins of "ravine of 10 thousand people".
Ticket: Free
Tel: +86 25 86612230
Add: No.418 Shuiximen Street, Jianye District
Opening hours: 8:30-16:30 (Closed every Monday)
Transportation: Metro Line 2/ Yunjinlu Station; Bus 4, 7, 37, 61, 63 / Jiangdongmen Stop
5. Nanjing Science & Technology Museum
It's a place for popular science education and tourists coming here can enjoy the unique experience that is brought by science.
Ticket: 40 RMB（Free on the fourth Friday of every month）
Tel: +86 25 58076111
Add: No.9 Zijinhua Rd, Yuhuatai District
Opening hours: 9:00-15:00 (Closed every Monday and Tuesday)
Transportation: Bus 19,33,98,173 / Zijinghualu Stop
Special Routes
Historical Sites in the Ancient Capital
Taicheng Wall, Jiming Temple, Xuanwu Lake → Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty, Linggu Temple → Qingliang Hill, Stone City → Mochou Lake → Chaotian Palace → Confucius Temple, Ancient Residence of Wang and Xie → Qixia Mountain → Two
Folk Customs
Nanjing Museum → Nanjing Brocade Museum of China → Confucius Temple, Folk-custom Garden of Confucius Temple → Chaotian Palace (Nanjing Municipal Museum) → Ancient Lanes in South City, the Courtyard of Ganxi → Jiangning Gold Foil Plant→ Jinling Sutra Printing House → Gaochun Ancient Street → Jinniu (Golden Ox) Lake of Luhe
Waterscape of Qinhuai
Tour in a painted pleasure-boat along the outer Qinghuai River (sites along the route — Ruins of Dabao'en Temple, Changgan Bridge, Wuding Gate Park, Stone City Park, Jiangsu Television Tower, Shuimu Qinhuai, New Landscape of West City, etc.) →Tour in a painted pleasuSpecial Routesre-boat along the inner Qinghuai River (sites along the route – Dongshui Pass, the Former Residence of Wu Jingzi, Taoye Ferry, White Egret Park, Jiangnan Examination Office, Dacheng Palace, the Former Residence of Li Xiangjun, Ancient Residence of Wang and Xie, Zhanyuan Garden, Zhonghua Gate Citadel, etc.)
Landscape Gardens
Xuanwu Lake → Mochou Lake → Zhanyuan Garden, White Egret Islet → East and West Gardens of Presidential Palace → Zhongshan Botanic Garden, Plum Blossom Hill→ Qiangliang Hill Park → Pearl Spring →Nanjing Greening Exhibition Park
Riverside View
Jiangnan Naval School → the Monument in Memory of Crossing the Changjiang River Successfully → Yuejiang Tower, Jinghai Temple, Tianfei Palace → Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge → The 2nd Yangtze River Bridge →The 3rd Yangtze River Bridge → Ruins of Baochuan Shipyard → Nanjing Greening Exhibition Park → Jiangxin Island →Yanzi (Swallow) Rock→ Bagua Island