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Two ways through the city.

Both itineraries run on the metro. One day covers six centuries, from the Ming tombs to the lantern boats. Two days follow the light for photographers, from a lake dawn to dusk over the Yangtze.

Route one

One day, six centuries.

Six centuries from Ming imperial tombs and Republican landmarks to sunset battlements and lantern boats, all linked by Metro Lines 2, 3, and 1.

  1. Morning

    Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum明孝陵

    L2Muxuyuan 苜蓿园

    Walk Elephant Road (Shixiang Lu) early while light filters through the trees.

  2. Late Morning

    Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum中山陵

    L2Muxuyuan / Xiamafang shuttle

    Climb the granite stairway across Purple Mountain (book your free timed reservation ahead; closed Mondays).

  3. Midday

    Nanjing Museum南京博物院

    L2Minggugong 明故宫

    A short ride west on Line 2; explore imperial porcelain and the Republic Hall (free reservation required; closed Mondays).

  4. Afternoon

    Presidential Palace总统府

    L2L3Daxinggong 大行宫

    Two stops further west on Line 2; trace Taiping and Republican history inside the garden compound (closed Mondays).

  5. Sunset

    Zhonghua Gate & City Wall中华门

    L1Zhonghuamen 中华门

    Transfer to Line 1 at Xinjiekou; arrive 1 hour before sunset to walk the battlements east toward Wuding Gate.

  6. Night

    Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River夫子庙·秦淮河

    L3Fuzimiao 夫子庙

    Catch blue hour on Wende Bridge around 18:30 to 19:00 and finish with a painted-boat cruise or Laomendong walk.

Route two

Two days, chasing light.

Timed strictly around dawn mist, soft morning shade, sunset masonry, and blue-hour reflections. Built for photographers, on Metro Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and S1.

Day 1: Lake Dawn, Cherry/Campus Light & Qinhuai Blue Hour

  1. Pre-Dawn

    Xuanwu Lake & Jiefang Gate玄武湖·解放门

    L3L4Jimingsi 鸡鸣寺

    Arrive 30 to 45 min before sunrise along the 24/7 outer lakeside path facing Purple Mountain.

  2. Morning

    Jiming Temple & Taicheng Wall鸡鸣寺·台城

    L3L4Jimingsi 鸡鸣寺

    Photograph Jimingsi Road blossoms (late March to early April) or climb Taicheng once the wall opens (about 08:00).

  3. Midday

    Southeast University Sipailou Campus东南大学四牌楼

    L3Fuqiao / Jimingsi

    Shoot the plane-tree Central Avenue and the Republican-era Grand Auditorium (check campus visitor entry).

  4. Sunset

    Zhonghua Gate to Wuding Gate中华门至武定门

    L1Zhonghuamen 中华门

    Walk the flat 2 km eastern wall stretch 1 hour before sunset as amber light hits the Ming brickwork.

  5. Blue Hour

    Laomendong & Wende Bridge老门东·文德桥

    L3Wudingmen / Fuzimiao

    Descend into Laomendong's grey-tile lanes at dusk, then frame lantern reflections on Wende Bridge.

Day 2: Subterranean Sanctuary, Purple Mountain Autumn & Yangtze Dusk

  1. Opening (08:30)

    Niushou Mountain Usnisa Palace牛首山·佛顶宫

    L1S1S1 to Hohai Univ. · Focheng West Rd, or L1 to Tianlongsi, then bus or taxi

    Catch the reflecting pool without crowds at 08:30 opening or early-morning Niushou Yanlan mountain mist.

  2. Afternoon

    Meiling Palace & Purple Mountain美龄宫·紫金山

    L2Muxuyuan 苜蓿园

    Best in late Nov to mid Dec (09:00 to 11:00 or 15:00 to 17:00) when plane trees frame the green-tiled villa.

  3. Late Afternoon

    Yuejiang Tower & Yangtze Riverfront阅江楼

    L5Xiaguan 下关

    Climb Lion Mountain for wide views over the Yangtze River Bridge before dusk.

Metro basics. Station names on signs and maps appear in Chinese and pinyin, which is why both are given here. Most of the big museums and mausoleums close on Mondays, so plan the classic day for another day of the week.