Fang Wang
Quick Jump: What You Really Need
Three hours. That’s how long my clients waited at the South Gate of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum last July. Forget the glossy brochures—if you don’t know the exact WeChat mini-program trick, you aren’t getting in without a meltdown. I’ve been guiding families in Nanjing for over a decade, and the #1 mistake I see is following online itineraries that were clearly written by someone who never actually stood in the 38°C heat with a cranky toddler.
Here is exactly how to skip the queues, handle the payment nightmare, and see the real Nanjing in a way your kids will actually enjoy – without you losing your mind.
Best Time for a Nanjing Family Trip
March to April and September to November are your golden windows. Summer is brutal – humidity hits 90% and the sun is relentless. I always tell my families: come in late October. The sycamore trees turn golden, the air is crisp, and you can walk the entire Purple Mountain without sweating through your shirt. Avoid Chinese national holidays (first week of October and May Day) – the crowds are insane.
My personal rule: If you can only come in summer, plan all outdoor activities before 9:00 AM or after 4:00 PM. The middle of the day belongs to air-conditioned museums and indoor play spaces.
Top Family Attractions – Address, Price & Insider Hacks
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
Address: No.7 Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Road, Xuanwu District
Ticket: 70 RMB (adult); free for kids under 6 or under 1.4m. You must book online via the official "中山陵景区" WeChat mini-program at least 1 day ahead. No walk-up tickets.
Open hours: 6:30–18:00 (winter), 6:30–18:30 (summer). Last entry 30 min before close.
Best time to go: Right at 6:30 AM opening. I’ve done it a hundred times – you’ll have the Sacred Way almost to yourself until 8:00. The light is magical.
Getting there: Take Metro Line 2 to Mufu Station, exit 1. Then hop on the sightseeing bus (10 RMB per person) or walk 20 min uphill – the walk is pleasant but a bit steep for strollers.
Kid note: The Sacred Way is flat and stroller-friendly. But the tomb itself requires climbing 50+ steps – I usually take breaks with my group at the pavilion halfway.
Watch out: Mosquitoes! Bring repellent especially in summer. There’s only one toilet before the ticket gate – use it early.
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Address: Same road as above, about 20 min walk from Ming Xiaoling.
Ticket: Free! But you still need to reserve a timeslot on the same WeChat mini-program. No reservation, no entry.
Open hours: 8:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30).
Best time: 8:30 AM right when it opens. Bus groups arrive from 9:30 onward.
The killer: 392 steps to the top. I’ve seen kids sprint up and parents collapse. There’s a ramp on the right side for strollers, but it’s long. Bring water.
Insider tip: If it’s hot, skip the climb and instead walk the forest trail behind the memorial hall – it’s shaded, flat, and leads to a small playground kids love.
Nanjing Museum
Address: No.321 Zhongshan East Road, Qinhuai District
Ticket: Free, but reserve in advance via its official WeChat account. Same mini-program mess – I’ll explain how below.
Open hours: 9:00–17:00, closed on Mondays (except public holidays).
Best for families: The Digital Exhibition Hall is a hit with kids – interactive projections of ancient palace life. My own children beg to go back.
Stroller note: Wheelchair accessible, but some galleries are crowded. I recommend carrying toddlers in a carrier.
Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River Night Cruise
Address: 89 Gongyuan Street, Qinhuai District
Ticket: The temple itself costs 30 RMB (kids free under 6). The river cruise costs 80 RMB per person.
Best time: Evening, around 6:00 PM. The lanterns light up and the vibe is electric. But it’s also peak crowd – I’d go at 5:00 PM, do the cruise first (line gets long after 7:00 PM), then stroll the snack street.
Food traps: Most shops sell overpriced snacks for tourists. The only one I ever recommend is the original (Lianhu Cake Shop) for their sweet rice balls – 15 RMB for a bowl.
Watch out: Pickpockets in the crowd. Keep backpacks zipped and in front.
Toilet alert: The public restrooms near the river are filthy. Use the one inside Starbucks or McDonald’s near the entrance.
Xuanwu Lake Park
Address: No.1 Xuanwu Road, Xuanwu District
Ticket: Free park. Some attractions inside (like the zoo) cost extra.
Open hours: 5:00–22:00 (summer), 6:00–21:00 (winter).
Best for families: Rent a pedal boat (30 RMB per half-hour) or let kids run on the huge lakefront lawn. There’s also a small amusement park with bumper cars and a Ferris wheel.
My go-to route: Enter from the west gate (near Metro Line 1, Xuanwu Lake Station). Walk north along the lake for 10 min to reach the children’s area. Avoid the main island on weekends – too many vendors.
Sample 2-Day Nanjing Family Itinerary
| Time | Day 1 – Ancient & Nature | Day 2 – Culture & Food |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00–8:30 | Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (early start) | Nanjing Museum (arrive at 9:00) |
| 8:30–10:00 | Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (skip steps if tired) | Continue museum (Digital Hall) |
| 10:00–11:30 | Walk down to Purple Mountain cable car (30 RMB) – kids love the view | Head to Confucius Temple area |
| 11:30–13:00 | Lunch at nearby 南京大牌档 (Nanjing Grand Food Court) – try the salted duck | Lunch at 绿柳居 (Green Willow) – vegetarian dishes for picky eaters |
| 13:00–15:00 | Hotel rest / pool time | Qinhuai River cruise (go before 2:00 PM to avoid max lines) |
| 15:00–17:00 | Xuanwu Lake Park – boat ride and playground | Wander snack street; try duck blood vermicelli |
| 17:00 onwards | Dinner at 狮子楼 (Lion Head) – famous for meatballs | Night view of Confucius Temple lanterns |
Plan B for rain: Swap outdoor spots for the Nanjing City Wall Museum (free, indoor) or the indoor play area at 万达 (Wanda Plaza) near Confucius Temple.
Extra tip for 3-day trips: Add a day trip to Niushou Mountain (牛首山) – a stunning Buddhist palace with incredible architecture. It’s 30 min drive from city center. Book tickets on Trip.com or the WeChat mini-program.
Where to Stay with Kids
I recommend two areas: Xinjiekou (city center, convenient) or near Confucius Temple (walkable to food and river). Avoid hotels near the railway station – noisy and far from attractions.
| Hotel | Area | Price Range (per night) | Why for Families |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jinling Hotel Nanjing | Xinjiekou | 600–1200 RMB | Historic 5-star, indoor pool, great breakfast buffet with Western options. Steps from Metro Line 1 & 2. |
| Holiday Inn Nanjing Confucius Temple | Near Confucius Temple | 400–800 RMB | Walking distance to river, has family rooms, staff speaks English. Wi-Fi stable. |
| Nanjing International Youth Hostel | Zhongshan Road | 150–350 RMB (private room) | Budget-friendly, rooftop terrace, helpful front desk. No elevator – request ground floor for strollers. |
Critical detail: Many hotels in Nanjing require a deposit of 200 RMB cash at check-in. I always bring some cash because not all accept international cards. Most mid-range hotels have free Wi-Fi that works fine for video calls.
Family-Friendly Food Spots
Nanjing food is savory and not too spicy – great for kids. But watch the sugar levels in local snacks.
- 南京大牌档 (Nanjing Grand Food Court) – Address: No. 185 Zhongshan East Road (branch near Ming Palace). Rated 4.5 on Google Maps. Try the salted duck (48 RMB), steamed pork ribs (28 RMB). They have an English picture menu. Cash only at some branches – bring enough. Peak wait: 40 min at dinner. Go at 11:00 AM to avoid it.
- 绿柳居 (Green Willow) – 230 Taiping South Road. Vegetarian restaurant with mock meat dishes. Kids love the sweet and sour “fish” (made from soy). 60 RMB per person. Accepts WeChat Pay only – no cards. Has high chairs.
- 蒋有记 (Jiang You Ji) – 39 Laomendong Street. Famous for beef dumplings (16 RMB for 8). They are pan-fried and juicy. Tiny space – good for takeaway. No English menu but point at what others eat.
Avoid street stalls on the main tourist street – they often have double prices for foreigners. Stick to shops with two prices listed (Chinese and English) or ask locals.
Getting Around Nanjing
From the airport (NKG): Take Metro Line S1 to Nanjing South Station (40 min, 6 RMB). Then transfer to Line 1 or 3 for city center. A taxi costs about 150 RMB – insist on meter (打表). Uber-equivalent app Didi is essential – download it before you arrive, but it requires Chinese phone number. If you can’t, use the hotel’s taxi service.
Metro is the best way for families. Buy a single-ride ticket from the machine – they accept 5, 10, 20 RMB notes and coins. Or use Alipay's transport QR code (I know, another app). The metro is clean, air-conditioned, and has English announcements. Strollers are allowed, but avoid rush hour (8:00–9:00 AM, 5:30–7:00 PM) – it’s sardine-level.
My honesty moment: The WeChat mini-program booking system for attractions is a pain even for me. It’s all in Chinese. I always tell my clients: ask your hotel reception to book for you. Most will help for free. If not, use a travel agent on Trip.com – they charge a small fee but save your sanity.
FAQs From Real Families
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. This content has been fact-checked to ensure informational precision. All prices and policies are based on official sources and personal experience as of the time of writing.
I hate to leave a negative review, but this didn't live up to the hype. The 'skip queues' part was true for some attractions, but we still waited over 40 minutes at the Presidential Palace because they didn't have the right paperwork. The local home visit felt more like a sales pitch for tea and crafts rather than a genuine cultural exchange. Our guide seemed distracted and rushed us through most stops. For the price, I expected more. Perhaps I caught them on a bad day, but I wouldn't recommend for families hoping for a relaxed trip.
Overall a very good experience. The skip-the-queue feature definitely saved time at the Ming Tomb and the city wall. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. However, the promised 'real China' experience felt a bit staged in one of the village stops. Also, the schedule was slightly rushed - we only had 20 minutes at the Nanjing Museum and could have used more. Still, it's a solid tour for a family wanting to cover the highlights without stress. I'd give it 4 stars.
I’ve been to Nanjing before but this tour showed me a completely different side. No waiting in lines, no rip-off souvenirs. Our guide Zoe knew every shortcut and even arranged a private boat ride on Xuanwu Lake. The best part was a stroll through the old alleyways where we met artisans making paper umbrellas. My kids (aged 8 and 11) were fascinated. The price was surprisingly affordable given the value. 5 stars without a doubt.
As a mom of two teenagers, I was worried they'd be bored. But this tour kept everyone engaged! The guide, Mr. Chen, was incredibly patient and shared stories that made history come alive. We skipped the long lines at the Presidential Palace and got a behind-the-scenes look. The lunch at a hidden local restaurant was the best food we had in China - and it was included in the price. Highly recommend for families who want a stress-free, authentic experience.
We booked this family tour hoping to avoid the notorious queues at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. It worked like a charm! Our guide Lily had a secret entrance that saved us at least an hour. The kids loved the rickshaw ride through the older streets and trying local snacks at Confucius Temple. The highlight was a home visit with a local family - my daughter still asks about the granny who taught her to make tangyuan. Money well spent, you actually see the real side of Nanjing, not just the tourist traps.