Nanjing is one of China’s great historical cities — former capital of multiple dynasties, site of a terrible 20th-century atrocity, and home to architectural monuments that put it in a different category from most day-trip destinations. The G trains from Shanghai Hongqiao to Nanjing take around 1 hour and cost ¥84–¥137 second class. That’s a low-friction access to one of China’s most historically significant cities, and it should be on every China itinerary that includes a Shanghai base.
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Getting There and Back
From Shanghai Hongqiao Station: G trains leave every 15–30 minutes throughout the day. Journey time approximately 60–65 minutes to Nanjing South Station (南京南站). Fare: ¥84 second class, ¥137 first class.
From Shanghai Railway Station (上海站): Some trains also depart from here, slightly longer journey (75–90 minutes). Check which station your train uses when booking.
Arrival at Nanjing South: This station is in the southern suburbs — not walking distance to most major sights. Metro Line 1 or Line 3 from Nanjing South connects to the central city in 15–20 minutes.
Return: Same trains; plenty of G trains running until around 9:30pm from Nanjing South. No need to book return in advance — just buy at the station when you’re ready to leave.
Purple Mountain (紫金山) — The Big Ticket
Purple Mountain (also called Zijin Shan) is a large forested hill east of central Nanjing that contains two of the city’s most significant monuments:
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (明孝陵): The tomb of the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming dynasty (died 1398). This is the oldest and arguably most significant of China’s imperial tombs — it served as the model for the later Ming tombs outside Beijing. The stone-paved Sacred Way approaches through a corridor of enormous stone animal statues. The Treasure Mound (the burial mound itself) is genuinely large. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (中山陵): Built 1929, this enormous complex commemorates Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary who ended imperial China and founded the Republic. You climb 392 steps (representing the population of China at the time — 392 million) to reach the memorial hall at the top. The scale is intentionally humbling. The views over Nanjing’s forests from the top are excellent.
Both sites are within walking distance of each other on Purple Mountain. Entrance: Ming Xiaoling ¥70, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum ¥80. Combined scenic area tickets exist. Allow 3 hours minimum for both, more if you want to explore the trails.
Getting there: Metro Line 2 to Muxuyuan (苜蓿园) station, then either walk (30 minutes) or take a tourist bus/taxi.
The City Wall — Nanjing’s Ancient Ring
The Nanjing City Wall built in the 1360s–1390s during the early Ming dynasty is the longest ancient city wall still extant in the world — originally 35 km, with large sections still standing. You can walk sections of the wall, including a substantial stretch from Zhonghua Gate (中华门) — the most impressive of the surviving gates, actually a fortress with multiple layered courtyards and underground tunnels built to resist siege.
Zhonghua Gate: Take Metro Line 1 or Line 3 to Zhonghua Gate station. Entrance ¥50. Allow 1–1.5 hours to explore the gate fully, including the tunnels and wall sections adjacent to it.
For wall-walking: The Xuanwu Lake section of the wall is well-preserved and walkable. Some sections have elevated walkways above the current street level.
Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall (侵华日军南京大屠杀遇难同胞纪念馆)
This is not easy viewing, but it’s important history. The memorial hall documents the Nanjing Massacre of 1937–1938, when Japanese troops killed an estimated 200,000–300,000 civilians and POWs over six weeks. The museum is large, professional, and presents the evidence in historical context.
Admission is free but requires advance online reservation (book through the official WeChat mini-program or website). The museum is on the site of one of the mass burial grounds. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Getting there: Metro Line 2 to Yunyin Mountain station (云锦路) or nearby stations.
Note: This is a sobering and distressing place. It’s important history to understand, particularly in the context of 20th-century China, but visit with appropriate emotional preparation.
Fuzi Temple (夫子庙) — Evening Option
The Confucius Temple area (Fuzi Temple, 夫子庙) is Nanjing’s traditional commercial heart — a revitalized historical district along the Qinhuai River with traditional-style architecture, restaurants, and street food vendors. It’s at its most atmospheric in the evening when the lanterns along the river are lit.
If you’re doing a full-day trip, time your visit to Fuzi Temple for around 5–7pm before heading to Nanjing South for your train home. Nanjing salted duck (盐水鸭) is the local specialty worth eating here — tender, fragrant, and quite different from Peking duck.
Getting there: Metro Line 1 to Sanshan Jie (三山街) station.
Suggested 8-Hour Day Trip Itinerary
7am: G train from Shanghai Hongqiao 8:05am: Arrive Nanjing South, metro to the city 9am–12:30pm: Purple Mountain (Ming Xiaoling + Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum) 1pm: Lunch near Fuzi Temple area 2–3:30pm: Zhonghua Gate and wall section 4–5:30pm: Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall 6–7pm: Fuzi Temple evening atmosphere and salted duck dinner 8:30pm: G train from Nanjing South back to Shanghai
What to Skip on a Day Trip
The Presidential Palace (总统府) and Nanjing Museum are both excellent but require 2+ hours each. Save them for a proper overnight trip. The Xuanwu Lake Park is beautiful for an afternoon walk but lower priority on a single day.