Fang Wang
What You'll Learn
Three hours. That's how long my clients waited at the South Gate of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum last week. Not from traffic—from not knowing the right metro exit. Nanjing's public transport can swallow your vacation time if you don't know the shortcuts. Forget the glossy brochures—if you don't have the right app or card, you're stuck. Here's the real deal: the metro covers 90% of tourist spots, but only if you know which line and which exit to use. Let me save you the frustration.
Metro 101: The Lines You'll Actually Use
Nanjing Metro has 10 lines, but for tourists, Line 1 (green), Line 2 (red), and Line 3 (blue) are your best friends. Line 1 runs north-south, hitting Nanjing Railway Station, Xinjiekou (the shopping hub), and ends at CPU (China Pharmaceutical University) – but you won't need that far. Line 2 is the east-west lifeline, connecting Nanjing University (Yuanming campus) and Zhongshanling (Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum). Line 3 cuts across, linking Nanjing South Railway Station and Fuzimiao (Confucius Temple).
Key Stations for Tourists
| Station | Lines | Nearby Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Xinjiekou | Line 1, 2 | Xinjiekou shopping area, Deji Plaza |
| Zhongshanling | Line 2 | Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum |
| Fuzimiao | Line 3 | Confucius Temple, Qinhuai River |
| Nanjing South | Line 1, 3, S1, S3 | High-speed rail hub |
| Nanjing Railway Station | Line 1, 3 | Conventional train station, Xuanwu Lake |
Bus Tactics: When and How to Use Them
Buses fill the gaps the metro misses. They're cheap (2 RMB per ride) but can be slow due to traffic. I avoid them during peak hours (7:30-9 AM, 5-7 PM). If you're heading to Nanjing Museum (free but needs reservation), take bus 34 or 201 to the west gate—it's less crowded than the metro exit. For Qixia Mountain in autumn, bus 206 from Nanjing Railway Station takes 50 minutes vs metro changes that eat 1.5 hours.
Biggest pain point? Bus stops are only in Chinese on most routes. Even the digital boards show Chinese. My trick: open Amap (Gaode Maps) app, type your destination in English, and it'll show bus numbers and real-time arrivals. Google Maps works but is less accurate for buses.
The Payment Nightmare (And How to Fix It)
Here's the ugly truth: metro ticket machines only accept cash (5, 10, 20 RMB bills) or Alipay/WeChat Pay. If you don't have Chinese mobile payment, you're stuck. Most machines don't take international credit cards. I always tell my groups: get a Nanjing Metro Card – available at any service window for 30 RMB deposit (refundable). Top up with cash, tap on and off. Or if you have Alipay, activate the "Transport" function (search for Nanjing metro code). But setting up Alipay without a Chinese bank card is a hassle. Alternative: Use Apple Pay on the metro if your bank supports it—only newer gates accept it, but it's growing.
Taxi vs. Didi: Which One Won't Rip You Off?
Regular taxis start at 11 RMB. Didi (Chinese Uber) often costs less and shows the price upfront. But here's the catch: many taxi drivers near tourist spots will quote a flat fare of 50 RMB for a 20 RMB trip, especially at Nanjing South Railway Station. Always insist on the meter, or better yet, use Didi. The app has an English version—set your pickup and destination. No need to speak Chinese. Didi Express is cheapest; Didi Comfort (better cars) for long rides. If you're in a group of 3-4, Didi often beats the metro cost for short distances.
One warning: During rain or rush hour, Didi surges 1.5x-2x. Then the metro wins.
Hidden Hacks Most Guides Miss
- Exit selection: At Xinjiekou, Exit 16 leads directly into Deji Plaza's basement. For Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Exit 1 of Zhongshanling station puts you at the bottom of the long staircase—I prefer Exit 2, which is closer to the shuttle bus stop.
- Ferries: Yes, Nanjing has a river ferry! Line 2 extends to the Qixia ferry for 2 RMB – great for a cheap Yangtze River cruise. Catch it from Yanjiang Station, then walk 5 minutes to the dock.
- Bike share: Bluegogo (Hellobike) and Meituan bikes are everywhere. You need to scan a QR code via their apps. For short hops between metro exits and attractions (like Fuzimiao to Zhonghua Gate), a 10-minute bike ride saves 20 minutes of walking. But I don't recommend biking on main roads—drivers are aggressive.
- Airport transfer: Nanjing Lukou Airport is far (35 km). The S1 metro line runs from Nanjing South to the airport (about 1 hour, 8 RMB). But if your flight is before 6 AM, the metro isn't running yet. Pre-book a Didi for about 120-150 RMB. Avoid taxis waiting at the airport—they'll quote 200+.
Frequently Asked Questions
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