This route follows the Yangtze River and the city’s central axis, taking you from ancient gardens to modern landmarks, and from workshops preserving intangible cultural heritage to trendy neighbourhoods, before bringing your day’s journey to a close as the sun sets over the river.
Morning: Classical Gardens and Intangible Cultural Heritage
First stop: Mo Chou Lake Park (approx. 1.5 hours)
The oldest attraction in Jianye District, it has long been known as ‘Jinling’s foremost scenic spot’. Entering the park at dawn, historic sites such as Shengqi Tower and Huayan Hermitage appear and disappear amidst the thin mist, whilst the statue of Mo Chou stands beside the pavilion in the centre of the lake. The lake’s surface is as calm as a mirror, reflecting the distant city skyline. In recent years, the park has introduced white ducks with crested heads, and in winter, visitors can see flocks of migratory birds resting on the ‘Eco-Bird Island’. Open free of charge since 2022, it is the best place to experience the poetic atmosphere of ‘Mo Chou’s mist and rain’.
Second Stop: Nanjing Yunjin Museum (approx. 1.5 hours)
Reachable by a 15-minute walk or cycle from Mo Chou Lake. As China’s only museum dedicated to Yunjin brocade, it houses a collection of artefacts dating from the Warring States period through to the Ming and Qing dynasties. The most impressive exhibit is the Da Hualou loom, which is still in operation—two artisans work in tandem, weaving just five to six centimetres a day. After viewing the exhibition, visit the cultural and creative goods area to purchase Yunjin handbags, scarves or decorative prints, allowing you to take a piece of this millennia-old intangible cultural heritage home with you.
Lunch Recommendation (approx. 1 hour)
Walk to Chanan Street or Fuyuan Street, the heart of Jianye District’s snack paradise. We recommend the qingtuan (green rice dumplings) at Aunt Xu’s Pastry Shop (the salted egg yolk and pork floss variety is the speciality); next door, Ji Ji Lao Qi Jia Wan’s beef potstickers are golden, crispy and bursting with juice when bitten into. Other options include Xiao Li’s soup dumplings and An Jia’s osmanthus tangyuan. If you’d prefer to sit down for a meal, there are plenty of local eateries near Chanan Street.
Afternoon: Riverside Landmarks and Ecological Wetlands
Third Stop: Nanjing Eye Pedestrian Bridge (approx. 1 hour)
Take Metro Line 2 or a taxi to get there. As the first scenic pedestrian bridge spanning the Yangtze River, its two massive elliptical bridge towers resemble a pair of ‘eyes’ gazing out over the river, boasting a modern and dynamic design. Walking across the bridge, with the river breeze caressing your face, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of Hexi New Town on the opposite bank and Jiangxin Island in the river’s centre. Street performers and vendors are often found on the bridge, making it an excellent spot for taking photos and posting on social media.
Fourth Stop: Yuzui Wetland Park (approx. 1.5 hours)
It takes about 20 minutes to walk or cycle along the riverside path from the Nanjing Eye. The park is situated at the confluence of the Yangtze River, the Jiajiang River and the Qinhuai New River, resembling a ‘fish’s mouth’. Amidst nearly a thousand mu of pristine wetlands, the red-and-white lighthouse stands out as the most striking landmark. It is recommended to arrive before dusk, take a seat on the riverside viewing platform in front of the lighthouse, and wait for the sun to slowly sink into the river, bathing the entire sky and the water in an orange-red glow. With a bit of luck, you may even spot Yangtze finless porpoises leaping out of the water.
Evening and Night: Nostalgic Neighbourhoods and Trendy Nightlife
Stop 5: Nanhu Memory Quarter (approx. 1.5 hours, including dinner)
It takes about 15 minutes by taxi from Yuzui Park to reach this area. This is Jianye District’s most down-to-earth nostalgic neighbourhood, where red-brick walls, concrete pavements and vintage shop signs recreate the street scenes of the 1980s. Strolling through the area, you’ll find retro cultural and creative items steeped in nostalgia, such as vintage enamel mugs and old telephone handsets. Dinner is best enjoyed right here in Nanhu – ‘Fat Man’s Clay Pot’ serves up bubbling beef clay pot stew, ‘Nanhu Big Meat Noodles’ features chunks of meat larger than the bowl itself, and ‘Baoji Barbecue’ is renowned for its honey-glazed chicken wings. Several of these long-established eateries have been in business for over twenty years and are brimming with a vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere.
Stop 6: Xicheng ‘Night Never Ends’ District (approx. 1 hour, optional)
If you still have the energy, it’s about a 10-minute walk or taxi ride from Nanhu. This is Jianye District’s trendiest nightlife hotspot, divided into three themed zones: sports, vitality and music. With layers upon layers of neon signs and the sounds of electronic music and guitars drifting from the live music venues, it’s the perfect place for young people to experience Jianye’s modern vibrancy. You can simply wander around and take photos without spending a penny.
