The Six Dynasties' Dream Under the Plane Trees - Nanjing City Walk Guide!

Nanjing Budget Travel Guide: Experience the Millennia-Old Charm of Jinling I. Itinerary Recommendations Day 1: Zhongshan Scenic Area One-Day Walking Tour** Morning: Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum (free, closed on Mondays) → Music Stage (¥10, feeding pigeons is super therapeutic) → Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (¥70, Shixiang Road is great for photos) Afternoon: Meiling Palace (¥30, a small Republic of China-era Western-style house) → Linggu Temple (¥35, a secret spot for fireflies in summer) Evening: Head down the mountain to Xiaolingwei Night Market (Recommended: Xuzhou BBQ, plum blossom cakes) Day 2: Old Town South Cultural Route Morning: Laomendong (free, an artistic district under the city wall) → Zhonghua Gate Barbican (¥50, the world's largest barbican) Afternoon: Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall (¥85, a cyberpunk-style museum) → 1865 Creative Park (free, industrial-style photo spot) Evening: Confucius Temple (just see the lights, don't spend money!) → Walk along the Qinhuai River to Bailuzhou Park Day 3: Exploring Hidden Gems Morning: Yihe Road Mansion Area (free, a complex of Republic of China-era buildings) → Nanjing Museum (free, must-see Republic of China Hall) Afternoon: Librairie Avant-Garde (Wutaishan Branch) → Taogu New Village (a hub for artistic cafes) Evening: Nanhu East Road (local food street) for late-night snacks II. Food Recommendations and Warnings Must-try List: - Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup (Recommended: Xiao Pan Ji, Jinyuan) - Beef Guotie (Li Ji Halal Restaurant's juicy ones are amazing) - Sweet Osmanthus Rice Pudding with Taro Balls (Fang Po Rice Cake Shop) - Balut (Nanhu Night Market, challenge yourself) - Pig Skin Noodles (Xiang Ji Noodle Restaurant) Foods to Avoid: - All "Nanjing specialties" inside the Confucius Temple scenic area - Any vacuum-packed "authentic salted duck" - Jinling Tangbao branches around scenic areas III. Accommodation Recommendations 1. Around Xinjiekou Subway Station: - Hostel Recommendation: International Youth Convention Hotel (¥60 per person, high-rise city view) - Budget Hotel: Home Inn Neo (Zhangfuyuan Branch, 3 minutes from the subway) 2. Daxinggong Area: - Pod Inn Select (5-minute walk from the Presidential Palace) - B&Bs near Southeast University (artistic and affordable) 3. Around Laomendong: - City Wall Roots Youth Hostel (super convenient for visiting the night market) IV. Local Tips 1. Transportation: Get a Nanjing subway card on Alipay, shared bikes + subway is the most economical 2. Tickets: Half-price admission to some attractions every Wednesday (e.g., Presidential Palace) 3. Hidden Gems: - Taicheng Section of the Nanjing City Wall for a panoramic view of Jiming Temple - Take the ¥2 ferry from Zhongshan Wharf to chase the sunset over the Yangtze River - Visit the morning market at Koxiang Food Market for black rice balls and sesame balls V. Budget Reference (3 days, 2 nights) - Accommodation: ¥120-200 (hostel/budget hotel) - Food: ¥150 (mainly snacks) - Transportation: ¥50 (subway + shared bikes) - Tickets: approx. ¥200 (selective ticket purchase) Total cost: ¥500-700 is enough to explore Jinling! Remember to wear comfortable shoes, Nanjing is a city suitable for walking~