About this tour

Nanjing — A City of Dynasties, Culture, and Enduring Legacy

Nanjing, the City That Outlived Empires

Not many cities in the world have lived as many lives as Nanjing, one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals.
Its streets carry imprints of emperors, poets, scholars, explorers, revolutionaries, and everyday citizens who shaped China’s story across more than 2,500 years.

Today, Nanjing is a harmonious blend of modern riverside life and vast historical memory: ancient walls rising beside skyscrapers, Confucian temples glowing with red lanterns, and leafy boulevards leading to lakes, palaces, and cultural sanctuaries.

This custom one-day private tour allows you to explore Nanjing your way—guided by a local expert who tailors the itinerary to your interests. Whether you love dynastic history, architecture, traditional culture, gardens, temples, museums, or local cuisine… Nanjing has something profound to offer.

Planetale invites you to walk through stories carved in stone, written in calligraphy, and preserved through centuries of Chinese civilization.

🏯 Nanjing Through Time — A Capital of Many Eras

Before diving into your tour, it helps to understand what makes Nanjing special.

Across Chinese history, Nanjing served as the capital during:

• The Eastern Wu Kingdom of the Three Kingdoms

• The Eastern Jin and Southern Dynasties (a golden age of poetry and art)

• The Ming Dynasty’s early years, before the capital moved to Beijing

• The Republic of China era in the early 20th century

Few cities witnessed so many transformations—imperial, cultural, intellectual, and modern.

Your guide brings these eras to life through storytelling, connecting each site you visit with the broader narrative of China.

🌄 Begin Your Journey — A Customized Adventure Through Nanjing

Because this is a fully customizable private tour, your day is built around your preferences.
Below is a curated Planetale-style route that highlights the best of Nanjing in a single day.

You may explore all or choose the ones that resonate with you most.

🏯 1. Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum — Legacy of the Founding Emperor

Nestled at the foot of Purple Mountain, the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is one of China’s most important imperial tombs.

Built for Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming Dynasty, the site blends:

• grand stone carvings

• sacred pathways

• forested hills

• harmony between nature, architecture, and symbolism

Your guide explains the intricate “Spirit Way,” where stone figures—warriors, camels, elephants, and mythic beasts—line the path, guarding the emperor’s resting place for eternity.

Walking here feels like stepping through an illustrated scroll of ancient China.

🧱 2. Nanjing City Wall — A Monument of Ming Engineering

Few ancient city walls in the world remain as massive and intact as Nanjing’s.

Built in the 14th century, this wall once enclosed the largest city area ever fortified in China. The bricks still carry the engraved marks of their original makers—names of villages and artisans—a signature of history preserved in stone.

Your guide can take you to scenic points such as:

• Zhonghua Gate (Gate of China) — a masterpiece of layered fortifications

• Yijiang Gate — overlooking the Qinhuai River

• Shenghua Gate — perfect for photography

From atop the wall, the panorama of Nanjing reveals both its ancient roots and modern vitality.

🏞️ 3. Purple Mountain (Zijin Shan) – Nature & Culture in One Place

Purple Mountain is a sanctuary that holds multiple cultural treasures.
Depending on your interests, your guide may lead you to:

• Linggu Temple — serene, spiritual, and surrounded by nature

• Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum — grand architecture honoring the founder of modern China

• Scenic walking trails with forest views

This mountain represents Nanjing’s identity as a city of scholarship, faith, and national significance.

🏮 4. Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River — Heart of Traditional Nanjing

This area pulses with life—street food, calligraphy shops, lantern-lit bridges, and waterways once favored by scholars and poets.

Explore:

• The Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao)

• Qinhuai River cruise (optional)

• Ancient Market Street full of crafts and snacks

Your guide shares stories of how scholars prepared for imperial examinations, how merchants shaped Nanjing’s commerce, and how this district became the cultural center of the city.

It’s vibrant, atmospheric, and great for photography.

🏛️ 5. Presidential Palace — A Walk Through Republic-era History

For those curious about China’s early modern era, the Presidential Palace is a must-visit.

This beautifully preserved compound includes:

• gardens

• offices

• meeting halls

• exhibitions on political, social, and cultural change

Your guide helps you understand the significance of Nanjing during the Republic of China period and the transformations that took place in the early 20th century.

🌅 6. Xuanwu Lake — Scenic Retreat in the City

Xuanwu Lake is one of Nanjing’s most beloved natural spaces.

Locals stroll along willow-lined paths, boats glide across gentle waters, and lotus flowers bloom in summer. Five islands connected by bridges create peaceful walking routes.

This is a perfect stop if you want a break from historical sites and prefer relaxation within nature.

🍜 7. Optional Food Discovery — Taste of Nanjing

A custom tour means you can choose to explore Nanjing’s famous dishes:

• Nanjing salted duck

• Duck blood vermicelli soup

• Sesame pancakes

• Qinhuai snacks

• Osmanthus-scented desserts

Your guide knows the locals’ favorites—not tourist traps.

🧭 The Power of a Custom Tour — Why This Experience Matters

Unlike fixed-route tours, this one-day private experience gives you:

• Freedom to choose

• Time to ask questions

• Deep, personalized storytelling

• Local insight into traditions, architecture, and daily life

• A pace that matches your interests

For Planetale travelers who value culture, history, and human connections, this tour is ideal.