Hi Oliver,

This carefully planned itinerary will take you through Nanjing’s most iconic sites, minimizing travel time and maximizing your experience. The route moves south to north, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey.

Recommended Route

📍 Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall → Nanjing City Wall (Jiefangmen Section) → Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty → Lao Meng Dong

📍 Stop 1: Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall

📍 Address: 418 Shuiximen Street, Jianye District
🎟 Admission: Free (Advance reservation required via official WeChat account)
🕒 Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed on Mondays)
🚇 Getting There:

• From Nanjing South Railway Station: Take Metro Line 1 (toward Maigaoqiao) → Transfer at Xinjiekou to Line 2 (toward Yuzui) → Get off at Yunjin Road Station (Exit 2), then walk 5 minutes.
• Distance: ~12 km, ~30 min travel time.

💡 Why Visit? This solemn and powerful memorial offers an in-depth look at a tragic chapter in history. Visitors should dress respectfully and maintain a quiet demeanor.

⏳ Suggested Visit Duration: 1.5 hours

📍 Stop 2: Nanjing City Wall (Jiefangmen Section)

📍 Address: 8 Huanhu Road, Jiefangmen, Xuanwu District
🎟 Admission: ¥20 per person (Jiefangmen section ticket)
🚕 Getting There:

• From Memorial Hall → Taxi (~5 km, 15 min, ~¥15)
• OR Metro: Line 2 (toward Jingtian Road) → Transfer at Daxinggong to Line 3 (toward Linchang) → Get off at Jiming Temple Station (Exit 4), walk 10 minutes.

💡 Why Jiefangmen? Unlike other sections, this spot offers stunning lake views and connects to Xuanwu Lake and Jiming Temple, making it a perfect photography stop—especially during cherry blossom season!

⏳ Suggested Visit Duration: 1 hour

📍 Stop 3: Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty

📍 Address: 7 Shixiang Road, Purple Mountain (South Side), Xuanwu District
🎟 Admission: ¥70 per person (includes Shixiang Road Sacred Way)
🕒 Opening Hours: 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
🚇 Getting There:

• From Jiefangmen → Metro Line 3 (toward Shuizhou East Road) → Transfer at Daxinggong to Line 2 (toward Jingtian Road) → Get off at Muxuyuan Station (Exit 1). From there, take a tourist shuttle bus (¥10) or walk 20 minutes to Gate 5 of Xiaoling Tomb.
• Distance: ~6 km, ~20 min travel time.

💡 Must-See Spots: The Sacred Way (Shixiang Road) lined with mythical stone creatures, the Ming Tower, and the imperial burial mound (Baoding). Wear comfortable shoes, as the site is quite large!

⏳ Suggested Visit Duration: 2 hours

📍 Stop 4: Lao Meng Dong (Laomendong Historic District)

📍 Address: Intersection of Jianzixiang and Gutong Alley, Qinhuai District
🎟 Admission: Free (Shops open until 10:00 PM)
🚇 Getting There:

• From Xiaoling Tomb → Taxi (~8 km, 25 min, ~¥25)
• OR Metro: Line 2 (toward Yuzui) → Transfer at Daxinggong to Line 3 (toward Shuizhou East Road) → Get off at Wudingmen Station (Exit 2), walk 10 minutes.

💡 Why Visit at Night? The traditional architecture, lively atmosphere, and glowing lanterns make it a magical evening destination. Enjoy local delicacies at Nanjing Da Pai Dang, visit a branch of the famous Librairie Avant-Garde bookstore, or even catch a comedy show at De Yun She (a famous crosstalk club).

⏳ Suggested Visit Duration: 2 hours (including dinner & sightseeing)

⏳ Suggested Time Breakdown

⏰ Morning
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Jiefangmen City Wall

🍽 Lunch Break (Choose from options near Xiaoling Tomb or Lao Meng Dong)

⏰ Afternoon
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Xiaoling Tomb

🌆 Evening
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Lao Meng Dong (Dinner & Night Stroll)

⚠️ Travel Tips

✔️ Metro is the best option to avoid traffic. Taxis between scenic spots cost ¥15–30 per ride.
✔️ Wear comfortable walking shoes—Xiaoling Tomb covers a large area.
✔️ Lao Meng Dong looks even better at night! Bring a Hanfu outfit for stunning photos.
✔️ Respect the solemn atmosphere at the Memorial Hall. Avoid wearing bright colors.
✔️ Visiting Jiefangmen? Take a quick detour to Xuanwu Lake nearby for extra sightseeing

🔔 Final Note

The above travel information is for reference only, as conditions may change.

📩 Any questions? Feel free to ask!

Best,
Daniel