The other “great wall” of China, this 14th-century architectural marvel was originally 35 kilometres long (of which about two-thirds is still standing). Stroll or cycle the section near Xuanwu Gate for excellent views of the lake flanked by willow trees and Zhongshan Mountain beyond it, stopping along the way to snap photos of ancient bricks carved with Chinese characters.

Perched on the banks of the Qinhuai River, the city’s sacred Confucius Temple complex centres around Dacheng Hall, inlaid with gold, jade and silver panels depicting the philosopher's life. Visit in the lead-up to Chinese New Year to see hundreds of glowing installations in the surrounding area at the Qinhuai International Lantern Festival. 

Nanjing’s spectacular plum blossom season could give Tokyo’s cherry blossoms a run for their money as they burst into bloom come spring. See 35,000 trees paint Zhongshan Mountain in shades of pink, yellow and white during February’s International Blum Blossom Festival, which also hosts art exhibitions and even roller skating performances.

It’s hard to beat the view from Flair, a sumptuous dark-wood-panelled restaurant and bar on the 62nd floor of The Ritz-Carlton. Settle into a roomy leather armchair, order a Yuhua Garden cocktail (Yuhua tea and gin), some south-east-Asian-style tapas and while away an evening staring out at the city skyline. 

Designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid to evoke drops of water on a lotus leaf, the ultra-modern Jiangsu Grand Theatre houses a 2300-seat opera house, a grand concert hall and a drama theatre. If you can, nab tickets to a performance by the National Ballet of China. 

Opened in 2023, The 29-storey Andaz Nanjing Hexi is lofty and sleek-lined, with views across the city towards the Yangtze River. It boasts quietly luxurious interiors in shades of bone and dove grey plus a vast Japanese maple-dotted terrace ideal for an alfresco aperitif.

Xinjiekou Commercial Circle is known as the Champs-Élysées of Nanjing; four major roads meet here, with six gleaming shopping malls within an 800-metre radius. Peruse international luxury labels like Louis Vuitton, Dior and Tiffany & Co. before exploring the labyrinth of knick-knack subway stalls below street level.

One of the largest museums in China, this sprawling institution clocks in at 70,000 square metres and houses over 430,000 historical artefacts. Expect ink drawings, earthenware and porcelain dating from the Ming dynasty, plus Qing imperial treasures such as a gold, gem-studded crown decorated with dragons. 

Also known as Purple Mountain thanks to the lavender mist that envelops its peaks at dawn and dusk, Zhongshan Mountain National Park is home to a state-of-the-art observatory. Built in 1934 and China’s first modern astronomical institute, it’s a scenic spot for observing the sun, stars and satellites, as well as ancient instruments on display. 

For a street food hit in the evenings, the bustling Laomendong Night Market near the Confucius Temple is packed with xiaochi (small bites) stalls, selling everything from dumplings and crispy rice cakes to duck blood and vermicelli soup, one of the region’s traditional delicacies. Finish with a sweet sesame pancake.   

A boxy, bright-white building seemingly floating above bamboo groves, the Sifang Art Museum is worth a visit for the Steven Holl-designed architecture itself. But head inside to be wowed all over again, this time by 400 contemporary works by Chinese and international artists. Case in point: Anish Kapoor’s mirrored installation. 

Statesman and political philosopher Sun Yat-sen was one of the key revolutionaries who played a role in overthrowing the Qing dynasty and was also the first president of the Republic of China party which ruled modern-day China from 1912 to 1949 until the party retreated to Taiwan. Nearly 400 stairs lead up to the imposing mausoleum, but the hike is worth it; the vista from the top is sweeping.

Opened for the 2014 Youth Olympics, the Nanjing Eye Pedestrian Bridge spans 872 metres over the Yangtze River. Walk from the Hexi Youth Culture and Sports Park to Jiangxinzhou on the other side at sunset, as coloured floodlights wash the two tilting archways and steel cables in vibrant shades such as fuchsia. 

History buffs will love touring the Presidential Palace’s well-preserved private quarters of Sun Yat-sen, often referred to as the “father of modern China” and a key player in the toppling of the Qing dynasty in 1912. Another draw is the reconstructed classical Ming garden complete with an elaborate boat carved out of marble.

Take a dip in the spacious indoor pool then grab a bite at one of four restaurants at The Grand Mansion in the heart of the city. Of the 159 rooms, the Presidential Suite is the most lavish, with Republican-era antiques, a gilded dining room and a massive private deck overlooking the Presidential Palace.

Beautiful Places to Visit and Things to See in China