Nanjing 3-Day 2-Night In-Depth Travel Guide, Budget 3000 RMB
Of course! As a travel blogger specializing in urban culture and slow travel, I’m delighted to customize a 3-day 2-night in-depth travel guide for Nanjing, keeping the budget within 3000 RMB. This itinerary blends the historical depth of the Six Dynasties ancient capital, the Republic of China charm, poetic landscapes, and authentic local life, taking you to measure the millennium-long cultural heritage of "Jinling" on foot and feel the joys, sorrows, and spirit of the city.
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📍 Destination: Nanjing City (Capital of Jiangsu Province)
📅 Travel Duration: 3 days 2 nights
💰 Total Budget: 3000 RMB (including round-trip transportation, accommodation, meals, tickets, and local transport)
🌸 Best Seasons: March-May (spring flower viewing) | September-November (clear autumn skies, golden phoenix trees)
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🧾 Budget Breakdown (Total: 2980 RMB)
| Item | Cost |
|------|------|
| Round-trip High-speed Rail/EMU (from Beijing/Shanghai/Hangzhou hubs) | 800 RMB |
| Accommodation (2 nights boutique hotel or designer guesthouse) | 1000 RMB (500 RMB/night) |
| Meals (6 main meals + 3 breakfasts + snacks) | 600 RMB (about 200 RMB/day) |
| Attraction Tickets + Cultural Experiences | 350 RMB |
| Local Transport (subway + taxi + shared bikes) | 180 RMB |
| Souvenirs/Emergency Fund | 50 RMB |
| Total | 2980 RMB |
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🌟 Day 1: First Encounter with Jinling · Republic of China Elegance & Qinhuai Nightscape
🕘 Morning: Arrive in Nanjing, check into hotel
- Recommended to take high-speed rail to [Nanjing South Station] (national high-speed rail hub):
- From Shanghai ≈ 1 hour, ticket about 150 RMB
- From Beijing ≈ 4 hours, ticket about 550 RMB (second class seat optional)
- From Hangzhou ≈ 2 hours, ticket about 200 RMB
- Taxi to city center (about 30 RMB), recommended stays:
- Yihe Mansion (Republic of China themed hotel) or
- Jijian · Qinhuai Riverside Designer Guesthouse (near Confucius Temple, river view from window)
- Budget-friendly options: All Seasons/Atour Hotel (near Xinjiekou or Confucius Temple)
🕛 Noon: Lunch at Laomendong · First Taste of Nanjing Flavors
- Walk to [Laomendong Historical and Cultural Block] (free entry)
- Recommended restaurant: [Xiao Pan Ji Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup]
- Duck blood vermicelli soup + salted duck platter + Jinling soup dumplings ≈ 60 RMB/person
🕓 Afternoon: Presidential Palace + Six Dynasties Museum (Double Museum Tour)
- [Presidential Palace] (ticket 40 RMB): a modern history microcosm, from Qing Dynasty’s Governor-General Office of Liangjiang to Republic of China Presidential Palace.
- Adjacent [Six Dynasties Museum] (ticket 30 RMB, designed by I.M. Pei’s son): see Six Dynasties celadon, Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove brick paintings, very artistic.
- Tip: Visit both museums together, rent an electronic guide (20 RMB) or scan QR code for audio tour.
🌙 Evening: Confucius Temple · Qinhuai River Night Cruise (Must-visit!)
- Walk to [Confucius Temple], explore the Confucian Temple and Jiangnan Examination Hall (optional entry, ticket 50 RMB)
- Take the [Qinhuai Painted Boat Night Cruise] (ticket 80 RMB):
- Route: Confucius Temple Pier → Wende Bridge → Zhonghua Gate → Reconstructed “Meixiang Tower”
- Listen to pipa music under the night lights, watch the illuminated riverbanks, as if traveling back to the “Ten Li Qinhuai”
- Dinner option: [Qifangge] (century-old brand)
- Must-try: Crab roe soup dumplings, red bean glutinous rice balls, osmanthus sugar taro shoots ≈ 80 RMB
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🌟 Day 2: Zhongshan Mountain Nostalgia · Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum & Phoenix Tree Avenue
🕘 Morning: Zhongshan Scenic Area · Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum + Shixiang Road
- Take Metro Line 2 to [Muxuyuan Station], enter from [Ming Xiaoling Gate 7]
- [Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum] (ticket 70 RMB): burial site of Ming Dynasty founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma
- Must-walk route: Shixiang Road (600-meter spirit way, beautiful all year, golden ginkgo in autumn) → Lingxing Gate → Fangcheng Ming Tower
- Tip: Wear comfortable shoes, the park is large, about 2 hours walking
🚌 Optional shuttle: sightseeing bus inside the park (10 RMB/segment) or rent shared bike to ride Phoenix Tree Avenue
🕛 Noon: Lunch at the foot of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
- Recommended: [Zijin Xiyuan Restaurant] or bring your own simple meal
- Recommended dishes: salted duck, stewed eel, stir-fried Artemisia with dried tofu ≈ 70 RMB/person
🕓 Afternoon: Music Stage + Meiling Palace + Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (Triple Check-in)
- [Music Stage] (10 RMB): feed pigeons, listen to pine waves, very healing for photos
- [Meiling Palace] (30 RMB): “Far East’s first villa” built by Chiang Kai-shek for Soong Mei-ling, prototype of Phoenix Tree Necklace aerial shot location
- [Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum] (free, reservation required):
- Climb 392 steps, overlook Purple Mountain panorama, solemn and majestic
- Reserve in advance via “Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Scenic Area” WeChat official account
🌙 Evening: 1912 District Nightlife
- After descending, head to [Nanjing 1912 District] (Republic of China architecture converted bar and dining area)
- Dinner recommendation: [Little Chef Huaiyang Cuisine]
- Must-try: Lion’s Head Meatballs, Braised Dried Tofu Threads, Fermented Rice Balls ≈ 90 RMB
- After dinner, enjoy a drink at a rooftop bar, watch phoenix tree shadows and city lights
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🌟 Day 3: Riverside Cultural Heritage · Museums & Yangtze River Memories
🕘 Morning: Nanjing Museum (one of China’s top three museums)
- Take Metro Line 2 to [Minggugong Station], reserve free tickets in advance on “Nanjing Museum” WeChat official account (weekends require ticket rush!)
- Must-see exhibitions:
- History Hall: gold-threaded jade burial suit, King of Guangling’s seal
- Special Exhibition Hall: temporary major exhibitions (often national treasures)
- Republic of China Hall: 1:1 replica of old Nanjing street scenes, wear qipao for photos
- Intangible Cultural Heritage Hall: Nanjing cloud brocade, paper cutting, Pingtan storytelling experience
- Suggested visit time: 2.5 hours
🕛 Noon: Kexiang Food Street · Local People’s Canteen
- Walk or taxi to [Kexiang] (Nanjing’s most authentic street food street)
- Recommendations:
- Tao Ji Authentic Dezhou Braised Chicken (lotus root sandwich, fried lotus root box)
- Aunt Xu’s Pastry Shop (green rice balls, water chestnut cake)
- Doudou Roast Duck Shop (small portion roast duck + marinated platter)
- About 40 RMB per person, authentic and satisfying
🕓 Afternoon: Yangtze Riverside · Nanjing City Wall + Yangtze River Crossing Victory Memorial Hall
- Take metro to [Sanshanjie Station], climb [Zhonghua Gate Barbican] (ticket 50 RMB)
- Explore the hidden soldier caves, overlook old southern city
- Walk to [Yangtze River Crossing Victory Memorial Hall] (free):
- See the “Thousand Sails Racing” sculpture group, learn about the liberation of Nanjing history
- Riverside promenade perfect for a stroll, view Nanjing Eye Bridge in the distance
🚗 Return trip:
- Taxi from memorial hall to Nanjing South Station (about 30 RMB)
- Or take Metro Line 1 direct, easy and convenient
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🎁 Souvenir Recommendations (Under 100 RMB)
- 🍗 Osmanthus Duck Vacuum Pack (60 RMB/bag, Nanjing flavor)
- 🧵 Cloud Brocade Bookmark/Scarf (Museum cultural shop, under 80 RMB)
- 🍵 Yuhua Tea Gift Box (fragrant green tea, 60 RMB)
- 📘 "Nanjing Biography" (by Ye Zhaoyan, a book to understand Jinling)
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📌 Travel Blogger’s Thoughtful Tips
1. Transportation Suggestions:
- Download “My Nanjing” APP, scan QR code to ride subway and bus, supports Alipay.
- City attractions are concentrated, subway + walking + short taxi rides cover most places.
2. Photography Spots:
- Shixiang Road autumn ginkgo (mid to late November)
- Meiling Palace aerial shot of “Phoenix Tree Necklace” (scenic area photo service available, 80 RMB/set)
- Nanjing Museum Republic of China street vintage photoshoot
- Qinhuai River night reflections
3. Pitfall Warnings:
- Confucius Temple snack street is overpriced, recommend tasting lightly, choose old brands for main meals.
- Nanjing Museum tickets must be reserved 1-3 days in advance, especially on weekends and holidays!
4. Cultural Easter Eggs:
- If time allows, listen to a Nanjing Baiju (local folk opera, performed in some teahouses).
- Follow “Nanjing Culture & Tourism” WeChat official account for free exhibition/lecture info.
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📷 Blogger says:
Nanjing is a city with character.
It has experienced prosperity and endured pain;
It carries the misty charm of the Six Dynasties and the drama of the Republic of China.
Here, every fallen phoenix leaf
Seems to softly tell an unfinished story of history.
✨ 3000 RMB for a dialogue across a thousand years, worth it.
Wishing you hear the pine waves of Zhongshan and the echoes within your heart in Nanjing.