The Realities of Traveling in Nanjing: What You Need to Know

Here are some essential tips to ensure a great trip to Nanjing: 1. Choose your train station based on your accommodation. Nanjing South Station offers more high-speed trains, while Nanjing Station provides more regular train services. 2. Hongshan Zoo is located near Nanjing Station. 3. Nanjing Lukou International Airport is approximately 50km from the city center, accessible by a direct subway line S1, but the travel time starts at an hour. 4. Eating and drinking in subway cars is prohibited in Nanjing, and while fines can be imposed, you can carry food. 5. During rush hours, the subway is the best option due to heavy traffic. 6. There is no one-day ticket for Nanjing's subway. 7. The Nanjing Museum is situated at Minggugong subway station, closed on Mondays, and it's highly popular, so it's advisable to book a week in advance. 8. Visit the Confucius Temple at night for the night view, but steer clear of buying food inside. 9. Old Ming Gate East is a spot frequented by locals, offering good food. 10. Following the Jiming Temple, the city gate leads to Xuanwu Lake. 11. Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Qixia Mountain offer free entry before 6:30 AM. 12. Nushu Mountain is outside the city center and lacks a direct subway line. 13. Yuzui Park can be reached by subway line 2, with a 40-minute ride from Xianjiekou. 14. Nanjing's baozi and potstickers are sweet, not spicy. 15. Nanjing's weather is changeable, with sudden temperature drops, so check the forecast. 16. During peak tourist season, book tickets in advance as they may sell out on the spot. 17. If possible, visit on weekdays for a less crowded and more comfortable experience. 18. The free Xuanwu Lake is a delightful spot, with a large park, known as the "backyard" of Nanjingers. 19. The Zhongshan Scenic Area is worth a full day to explore, with many closed sections, no shared bikes, and difficulty in hailing taxis. 20. The Zhongshan Botanical Garden features flowers year-round, closed on Mondays. 21. When the perceived temperature exceeds 30°C, it can be very hot. 22. For local snacks, consider the Nanhu or Kejiang areas. 23. Avoid buying ducks at the supermarkets near attractions; the ones from old neighborhood buildings are fresher, tastier, and cheaper. 24. Besides Yuzui Park, you can also enjoy the sunset from Xuanzhou, Zhongshan Wharf, Yanji, and Xuanwu Lake. 25. It's preferable to visit the Confucius Temple at night rather than during the day. 26. Choose accommodation in the Xianjiekou area, Shanghai Road, Daxinggong, for convenience. 27. Nanjing's pig tripe noodles are a specialty, and the local secret is to eat them with sugarcane juice and grilled. 28. Allow at least 20 minutes to reach the Nanjing South Station subway. 29. There are very few shared electric scooters in Nanjing. 30. It's not recommended to travel in a group tour in Nanjing; many popular attractions can be reached by subway, and city walking is convenient.