Three Days and Two Nights in Nanjing

Title: Nanjing 3 Days 2 Nights Budget Travel Guide! Spend 2800 RMB per person for a high-end feel, these 5 places are free and perfect for photos! Ladies! Who says going to Nanjing has to cost thousands? I just got back from Nanjing, 3 days and 2 nights all-inclusive for food, drinks, and fun, only 2760 RMB per person (including round-trip high-speed train tickets). Not only did I avoid any pitfalls, but I also took “Republic of China era” style photos that blew up on my social media! Don’t believe it? Keep this money-saving + photo-worthy + no-waste-of-time nanny-level guide, follow it, and easily explore the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties! 🎯 Itinerary Overview (Perfect for weekend travelers/short holidays) Duration: 3 days 2 nights Budget: 2800 RMB/person (students can also manage) - Transportation: Round-trip high-speed train (e.g., Shanghai → Nanjing, 2 hours direct, ticket price 140 RMB) Accommodation: Homestay near Laomendong (walk to night market, 560 RMB/person for two nights) Day 1: City Wall + Confucius Temple Night Tour, Instantly Travel Back to the Ming Dynasty 📍 Morning: Arrive at Nanjing South Station → Taxi to hotel to drop off luggage (about 30 RMB) 📍 Afternoon: Climb [Zhonghua Gate Fortress] (ticket 50 RMB) ✅ The fortress maze is super photogenic! Wearing Hanfu feels like shooting “The Longest Day in Chang’an” ✅ Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the Qinhuai River, the drone perspective is amazing 📍 Evening: Walk 10 minutes to [Laomendong] ✅ Free! Artsy alleys + handmade shops + snack street ✅ Must-eat: Jiang Youji potstickers, Xiao Zheng crispy sesame cakes, Lu’s plum blossom cakes 📍 Night: Walk 5 minutes to [Confucius Temple + Qinhuai River Night View] ✅ Night view is free! Don’t buy boat tickets (100+ RMB and crowded) ✅ Best photo spot: Wen De Bridge to capture the lit-up pavilions, instantly get a “Best Night in Jiangnan” shot 💰 Daily expenses: Transportation 80 + Ticket 50 + Food & drinks 120 = 250 RMB Day 2: Republic of China Romance Under the Phoenix Trees, Photos So Beautiful They Leave You Speechless 📍 Morning: [Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum] (free! But need to book in advance) ✅ Recommend riding a shared bike (the whole way is a phoenix tree avenue, shaded and green) ✅ Climbing 392 steps is tiring, but the moment you reach the top—it’s worth it! 📍 Noon: [Nanjing Museum] (free! A must-visit!) ✅ Book one week in advance on the official WeChat! Otherwise, it’s a wasted trip ✅ Recommended: Republic of China exhibition hall (real street scenes are great for photos), special exhibition hall artifacts 📍 Afternoon: [Yihe Road Mansion Area] (completely free) ✅ Dozens of small roads lined with century-old Western-style houses + phoenix trees, full French romance ✅ Hidden photo spot: Ninghai Road roundabout corner, shoot cinematic lonely backshots 📍 Evening: [Kexiang] Local dining hall ✅ 10 times tastier than Confucius Temple! Recommended: Tao Ji authentic Dezhou braised chicken (lotus root cakes are amazing), Jin Hongxing duck shop 💰 Daily expenses: Transportation 40 + Food & drinks 100 = 140 RMB 🗓 Day 3: Praying at Jiming Temple + Daydreaming at Xuanwu Lake, Slow Down to Understand Nanjing 📍 Morning: [Jiming Temple] (ticket 10 RMB, includes 3 incense sticks) ✅ Cherry blossom avenue in spring is breathtaking! But very crowded, recommend arriving before 7 AM ✅ Prayers for academic success are very effective here, I wished for smooth manuscript submission last year, and it really worked! 📍 Nearby check-in: [Jiefangmen City Wall Section] (free) ✅ 5-minute walk to capture the “cherry blossoms + Ming city wall + Zifeng Tower” perfect combo photo 📍 Noon: [Xuanwu Lake Park] (free! Less crowded than West Lake) ✅ Rent a pedal boat for 40 RMB/hour, the city skyline from the lake is super healing ✅ Lazy way: stroll along the lake, find a bench to daydream, listen to elders sing Yue opera 📍 Afternoon: Return trip, buy souvenirs on the way ✅ Recommended: Osmanthus salted duck (vacuum packed, Taoyuancun or Jin Hongxing) ✅ If budget allows, bring a box of “Jinling folding fans” cultural souvenirs, very classy gifts 💰 Daily expenses: Tickets 20 + Boat 40 + Food & drinks 80 + Souvenirs 100 = 240 RMB ✅ Total bill (per person): - Round-trip high-speed train: 280 RMB Accommodation: 560 RMB Meals + tickets + miscellaneous transport: about 1920 RMB 👉 Total: 2760 RMB (leave 40 RMB for a tea drink, just under 3000!) Pitfall Warnings (Learned the hard way): ❌ Don’t buy Yuhua stones at scenic spots! The 10 RMB bags on the roadside are all Yiwu goods ❌ Don’t take a taxi to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum! Traffic jams will make you question life, recommend subway + bike ❌ Don’t trust “low-price one-day tour groups”! They just drag you to shop, terrible experience Nanjing is a city that needs you to slow down. It’s not flashy, but it hides the misty charm of the Six Dynasties in every phoenix tree leaf. Three days is not enough to finish its story, but enough for you to— Feel the breeze under the Ming city wall, daydream by the Qinhuai River, and suddenly forget the stress of work. So, don’t wait, Book a ticket and go! After all, life is not just about KPIs, but also a thousand-year-old Jinling dream.