Check out our guide to life in Nanjing
If you’re a history buff, you’ll be captivated by Nanjing. The city, located in the Yangtze River Delta region, holds great importance in Chinese history and culture. A historical seat of power, between the 3rd century and 1949 it was the capital of many Chinese dynasties, kingdoms and governments. Nanjing is home to one of the world’s largest inland ports, making it a hub for transport networks and tourism. It’s a major centre for culture, education, and research and boasts a very well-educated populace, with the highest ratio of college students to total population in China.
Nanjing Fast Facts
Prefecture-level and Sub-provincial city
Established – 495 BCE
Population – 8,335,000
Nanjing Weather
Hottest Month July (29 °C avg)
Coldest Month January (3 °C avg)
Wettest Month July (113.5 mm avg)
Windiest Month March (10 km/h avg)
Annual Rainfall 543.8 mm (per year)
10 Things to See and Do in Nanjing
Stone City
Explore what remains of Nanjing’s ancient fortified city wall from the Ming Dynasty.
Laomen East Pedestrian Street
Take your time to explore the shops and cafes nestled in traditional streets and buildings.
Hongshan Forest Zoo
The zoological exhibits span 171 acres of park and forest and feature 280 kinds of animals.
Purple Mountain
This 448.2 m high mountain has an observatory, historic Xiaoling Mausoleum, and lake.
Nanjing Museum
One of the largest museums in China with over 400,000 items in its permanent collection.
Ming Palace
“Forbidden City of Nanjing” is a 14th-century imperial palace of the early Ming dynasty.
Jiming Temple
Unwind at this peaceful Buddhist temple and dine at the renowned vegetarian restaurant.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum
Learn more about the “Father of Modern China” at the majestic site of his mausoleum.
Yinxing Lake
Enjoy the rides, lakes, golf, eating and entertainment at this enjoyable amusement park.
Zifeng Tower
Book a meal with a view at a restaurant near the top of this 450-metre super tall skyscraper.
Cost Of Living
| ITEM | RMB | GBP | AUS | RAND |
| Cinema | 60 | 6.85 | 12.52 | 124.78 |
| Water | 2 | 0.23 | 0.42 | 4.18 |
| Beer in a bar | 20 | 2.28 | 4.17 | 41.59 |
| Beer in a shop | 8 | 0.91 | 1.67 | 16.64 |
| Coke | 3 | 0.34 | 0.63 | 6.24 |
| Meal at a cheap restaurant | 20 | 2.28 | 4.17 | 41.59 |
| Meal at an average restaurant | 50 | 5.71 | 10.43 | 103.98 |
| Meal at a high end restaurant | 90 | 10.27 | 18.77 | 187.16 |
| Gym per month | 205 | 23.40 | 42.76 | 426.32 |
| City bus | 2 | 0.23 | 0.42 | 4.18 |
| Monthly utility bills (electricity, heating, water, rubbish) | 350 | 39.95 | 73.01 | 727.86 |
| Loaf of bread | 6 | 0.68 | 1.25 | 12.48 |
