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Dr. Xue Zhao
What's Inside
I've been guiding travelers through Nanjing for over eight years. Last week, a solo traveler from Italy showed up at the Confucius Temple with nothing but a Lonely Planet from 2019 and a dead phone. She spent two hours in the wrong ticket line. That's exactly why I'm writing this—to save you from those rookie mistakes. Solo travel here is fantastic, but the devil is in the digital details.
Bottom line upfront: Skip the South Gate of the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, use the WeChat mini-program for all tickets, and eat your best meals at a counter facing the chef. I'll explain below.
Why Nanjing for Solo Travel?
Nanjing is one of the most underrated cities for solo travel in China. It's big enough to have all the modern conveniences—subway, English signs, international cafes—but not as overwhelming as Shanghai or Beijing. The locals are used to tourists but they're not jaded. I've seen countless solo travelers get invited into a family's home for tea near the old city wall. It's a place where you can walk for hours without getting bored, and every corner has a history.
One thing most guides won't tell you: the weather. Avoid July and August unless you enjoy being drenched in sweat by 9 AM. The best months are late March to early May (cherry blossoms at Nanjing University) and October-November (clear skies, crispy air).
Getting Around Solo: Buses, Metro, and Didi
The Nanjing Metro is your best friend. It covers almost all major attractions, and announcements are in English. I always tell solo travelers to buy a Nanjing public transportation card at any metro station—it works on both buses and metro, and saves you from fumbling with cash or QR codes. You can top up at convenience stores like 7-Eleven.
For places the metro doesn't reach (like the quieter parts of Purple Mountain), use Didi—it's China's Uber. The app has an English interface, but your phone number must be registered. If you have a foreign number, you might struggle; ask your hotel receptionist to call a taxi for you. Pro tip: have the address written in Chinese on your phone screen to show the driver.
Where to Stay as a Solo Traveler
I've tested many neighborhoods for solo travelers. Here's my honest ranking:
| Area | Vibe | Price Range (per night) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xinjiekou (Downtown) | Central, lots of restaurants and metro lines crossing | $50 – $120 | First-timers who want convenience |
| Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) | Touristy but lively, riverside views, night markets | $40 – $90 | Travelers who love street food and nightlife |
| Near Ming Palace Ruins | Quiet, residential, close to museum and city wall | $30 – $70 | Those who prefer peace and local life |
Personal recommendation: For solo travelers, I love the Pan Pacific Nanjing near the Confucius Temple. It's not the cheapest, but it has a great riverside bar where you can meet other travelers, and the staff speaks English. If you're on a budget, try the Ji Hotel Xinjiekou—clean, quiet, and steps away from a 24-hour convenience store.
Must-See Sights Without a Group
Solo travel means you control the pace. Here are the spots I always take my solo clients to, with the insider tactics to enjoy them without the crowds.
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum – Go Through the East Gate
Most tour buses drop people at the South Gate. Huge mistake. I always tell my solo travelers to take the metro to Xiamafang Station (Line 2, Exit 2), then walk 10 minutes to the East Gate. You'll enter through a beautiful forest path, skip the ticket line (especially bad on weekends), and emerge right at the Sacred Way. Ticket: 70 RMB (adult), no discount for solo travelers, but you can buy online via the mini-program “Nanjing Zhongshan Scenic Area” (search in WeChat). The mini-program is in Chinese only—ask your hotel to help you set it up before you go.
Nanjing Museum – Reserve 7 Days Ahead
This museum is free but requires a reservation. The catch: slots fill up days in advance. Go to their official account on WeChat (search “南京博物院” and look for a blue verified badge) to book. If you can't get a slot, join a waiting list or go on a weekday morning (Tuesday-Thursday). The bronze collection is world-class, and the exhibits have English labels. Give yourself at least 3 hours.
Purple Mountain Hiking – The Quiet Loop
Most tourists take the cable car up and down. I prefer the footpath starting from the West Entrance of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. It's a 4-km loop through bamboo groves and hidden pavilions. Bring water—there's only one small shop halfway. Start at 7 AM to have the trail almost to yourself.
Truth bomb: The Confucius Temple area is fun at night, but during the day it's a commercial zoo. Skip the day crowds and go after 8 PM for the illuminated river—it's magical.
Eating Alone in Nanjing: Street Food and Restaurants
Eating solo in Nanjing is easier than you think. Here are my go-to places, tested with dozens of solo clients.
| Restaurant | Dish | Address | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jinling Soup Dumpling | Soup dumplings (xiao long bao) | 123 Zhongshan Road, near Xinjiekou | $5 – $8 | Cash or WeChat pay only; no English menu, but point at photos |
| Dazhaixie – Fuzimiao branch | Nanjing salted duck, sticky rice rolls | Facing the river, near Wende Bridge | $10 – $15 | Has English menu; popular, so go before 6 PM |
| Night food street at Hankou Road | Grilled skewers, vermicelli with duck blood | Hankou Road, near Nanjing University | $3 – $7 | Most stalls accept WeChat Pay; a few take cash |
My personal ritual: I start at Hankou Road around 6:30 PM, grab a seat at the Old Nanjing Vermicelli stall (the one with the yellow sign), order the duck blood vermicelli with an extra fried tofu puff. The owner knows me now. Solo eating? No one cares—you'll see plenty of locals hunched over their bowls alone.
Avoiding Tourist Traps: What to Skip
Let's be real—not everything in Nanjing is worth your time. Here's what I tell my solo clients to avoid:
- The “Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge” viewing platform: It's a concrete walkway with heavy traffic noise. The real magic is the bridge lit up at night from a distance—view it from the riverside park near Xiaguan.
- Tea ceremonies inside the Confucius Temple: Overpriced and pushy sales tactics. If you want a tea experience, go to Tea Garden on Qingliangshan Road—quieter and more authentic.
- Buying souvenirs at the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum exit shops: Marked up 3x. Instead, buy Nanjing cloud brocade at the official shop near the Nanjing Museum.
FAQ: Solo Travel in Nanjing
This content has been fact-checked to ensure informational precision.
As a solo traveler who hates tourist traps, this article was a lifesaver. The section on 'how to do the Confucius Temple area like a local' literally saved me from the endless crowds—I walked the Qinhuai River at dawn and saw the old teahouses waking up, the mist rising over the water, and a street sweeper humming an old song. The recommended itinerary even timed perfectly to catch the gate opening ceremony at the Zhonghua Gate Castle, which felt like stepping into a history drama. The only tiny downside: the suggested vegetarian restaurant near Jiming Temple was closed for a private event, but the backup choice (a hole-in-the-wall with duck blood vermicelli) ended up being even better. I've already forwarded this guide to three friends planning their own solo trips. Absolutely worth every star.
I'm usually skeptical of 'local secret' guides, but this one is the real deal. The author's tip to take the city bus rather than the metro to see the ordinary neighborhoods was brilliant—I got lost in a small park near Gulou where grandmas were practicing tai chi, and an old man taught me how to fold a paper crane. The suggestion to skip the crowded Fuzimiao night market and instead wander the back alleys of Laomendong after 9pm was magical: strings of red lanterns, the smell of chestnuts roasting, and no one pushing me to buy souvenirs. I also loved the detailed map for the Purple Mountain bike route—pedaling through the bamboo grove in the late afternoon was the highlight of my entire China trip. Five stars, no notes.
Hands down the best travel guide I've used in China! I spent three days solo following this exact plan, and every single tip was spot-on. The early-bird route to Qixia Mountain let me watch the sunrise through the red leaves without a single selfie stick in sight. The dumpling place near the Presidential Palace? Insane—crispy bottoms with soup inside, and the owner even gave me a free bowl of osmanthus congee when he heard I was alone. The audio walk suggested for the Nanjing Museum was so immersive I almost cried at the section about the Ming dynasty's golden age. If you're traveling alone and want to feel like you've got a local friend showing you around, read this before you go. Cannot recommend it enough.
This article saved me from the nightmare of the weekend queues at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. The tip to take the back entrance through the botanical garden was pure gold—I had the whole corridor of towering plane trees almost to myself. However, the recommendation for the 'hidden' tea house at Xuanwu Lake was a bit off; the place was under renovation when I went, and I ended up sipping overpriced jasmine tea surrounded by construction noise. Still, the overall framework of the guide kept me moving efficiently, and I discovered a tiny wonton stall near the south gate that the article didn't even mention. Solid 4 stars—would have been 5 without the tea house fail.
I followed the 'Nanjing Solo Travel' guide to the letter, and honestly, it was a mixed bag. The advice to visit the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum early morning did help me dodge the tour bus crowds, but the suggested 'secret' noodle shop near Laomendong was a total letdown—the broth was watery and the noodles were mushy. Also, the walking route between the Confucius Temple and the old city wall felt way too long without any decent coffee stops. For a solo traveler, I'd say it's 50% useful, 50% overhyped. Not bad, but not amazing either.