Written by
Anthony
Nanjing City, also known as Jinling or Stone City, is the capital of Jiangsu Province and a major city in eastern China.
It lies in the southwestern part of the province, along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Covering an area of 6,587 square kilometers, Nanjing has a population of approximately 9.58 million as of late 2024.
The city experiences a humid subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons and rich rainfall. Nanjing is a national center for culture, education, manufacturing, and innovation, and serves as a major transportation and logistics hub.
It is home to the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese military.
Historically, Nanjing is one of China’s ancient capitals, known as the “Capital of Six Dynasties” and “Ten Dynasties’ Grand City.”
Human activity in the region dates back over a million years, and it became a capital as early as 229 AD.
If you want help choosing routes, trip length, and the best places to combine on a first visit, see our Nanjing Travel Guide.
| Category | Detail | Category | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Jinling, Jiankang, Shitoucheng | Admin Code | 320100 |
| City Type | Prefecture-level city | Province | Jiangsu Province |
| Location | Southwest Jiangsu, Lower Yangtze | Area | 6,587.04 km² |
| Subdivisions | 11 districts | Government Seat | No.41 Beijing East Road, Xuanwu District |
| Area Code | 025 | Postal Code | 210000–211800 |
| Climate | North subtropical monsoon climate | Population | 9.577 million (2024) |
| Top Attractions | Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Confucius Temple, Yuhuatai, Nanjing Massacre Memorial | Airports | Nanjing Lukou International Airport, Nanjing Ma’an International Airport |
| Railway Stations | Nanjing Station, Nanjing South Station, Nanjing North (under construction) | License Plate | Su A |
| GDP | ¥1.85081 trillion (2024) | Abbreviation | Ning |
| Coordinates | 31°14′–32°37′ N, 118°22′–119°14′ E | Country | China |
| Dialect | Nanjing dialect | Per Capita GDP | ¥193,483 (2024) |
| City Flower | Plum Blossom | City Tree | Cedar |
| Famous Universities | Nanjing University, Southeast University, NUAA, NJMU, NJUST | Ethnic Groups | Mainly Han, includes all 56 ethnic groups |
| Official Website | https://www.nanjing.gov.cn | Port | Nanjing Port |
In 2024, Nanjing’s tourism industry maintained strong growth, welcoming over 210 million visitors and generating 320 billion yuan in total revenue.
Inbound tourism saw a sharp rebound with 520,000 overnight visitors and foreign exchange earnings of $720 million.
The city has 52 rated scenic spots, including 31 at or above 4A level and 2 national 5A attractions.
New highlights such as immersive performances and holographic light shows attracted millions of visitors.
Cultural and natural experiences like heritage tours and eco-leisure parks enhanced full-destination tourism.
Night tours, digital products, and creative cultural experiences boosted spending and tourist engagement.
International appeal grew with increased inbound groups, brand festivals, and enhanced visa-free services.
Nanjing’s smart tourism system enabled seamless digital bookings and services, achieving a visitor satisfaction score of 85.12.
Nanjing’s culinary culture is deeply rooted in history, centered on Jinling cuisine, a refined branch of Jiangsu cuisine known for delicate flavors and elegant presentation.
It features fresh river produce, seasonal vegetables, and duck-based dishes like salted duck and duck blood vermicelli soup.
Qinhuai snacks, famed for their intricate techniques and rich heritage, reflect the city’s vibrant street food culture.
Locals enjoy hearty breakfasts like small noodles with crispy tofu or duck soup with savory buns.
Duck is considered a culinary symbol, appearing in seasonal rituals and everyday meals throughout the year.
Dining customs vary with the seasons, highlighting fresh herbs in spring and crab feasts in autumn.
Blending northern boldness with Jiangnan finesse, Nanjing’s cuisine spans grand banquets to bustling alleys, offering flavors steeped in memory, tradition, and cultural pride.
Nanjing, as a historic and cultural city, has developed a comprehensive system for intangible cultural heritage protection.
By 2024, the city hosts 277 representative items at the municipal level and above, including 13 national-level and 5 UNESCO-listed elements.
A total of 294 recognized inheritors and 77 transmission bases form a four-level preservation network from city to international level.
Efforts include local legislation, a special fund of 3.36 million yuan, and digital innovations like the Nanjing ICH Digital Platform and AI language models.
Integration with tourism, such as the Lantern Festival and ICH bazaars, has driven public engagement and consumption.
Nanjing’s ICH features cultural diversity, vibrant living practices, and growing global influence.
Its model of systematic protection and innovative transformation strengthens cultural identity and supports the city’s development.
Nanjing has held over seventy different names throughout history, making it one of the most renamed cities in the world.
These names fall into two categories: official titles granted by dynasties, such as Jinling, Jianye, Jiankang, Jiangning, Yingtian, Nanjing, and Tianjing, and informal names used by poets or locals, such as Yecheng, Baixia, Jiangcheng, and Qinhuai.
The earliest recorded name is Yecheng, dating to the Spring and Autumn period, when the Wu state established a metalworks in present-day Nanjing.
The influential name “Jinling” traces back to 333 BCE when King Wei of Chu built a city at Shitou Mountain.
Later, names like Jianye and Jiankang reflected the city’s rise as the political center of Eastern Wu and successive dynasties.
Nanjing officially became the name in 1912 and has been in continuous use since the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Prehistoric Period: From 1.2 million to 11,200 years ago, early humans, including the Nanjing Man, lived in this region. The area witnessed ancient Paleolithic and Neolithic cultures, such as Lake Shu and Hemudu.
Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE): Nanjing was part of Zhou Zhang’s fief. By 333 BCE, King Wei of Chu built Jinling City near Qingliang Mountain, officially naming the area Jinling for the first time.
Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BCE–220 CE): In 210 BCE, Qin Shi Huang abolished Jinling City. During the Han, counties like Moling were established, reflecting economic growth and administrative development in the region.
Three Kingdoms Period (220–280 CE): In 211, Sun Quan moved the Eastern Wu capital to Moling and renamed it Jianye. In 229, he made it the capital, marking Nanjing’s first official role as an imperial capital.
Eastern Jin and Southern Dynasties (317–589 CE): Six successive dynasties made Nanjing (then Jiankang) their capital for over 320 years. Jiankang became the largest city globally, influencing architecture in Japan and Korea.
Sui and Tang Dynasties (581–907 CE): The Sui downgraded Nanjing’s status, but the Tang era brought cultural prosperity. Poets like Li Bai and Du Mu lived and traveled here. South Tang later rebuilt and flourished.
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960 CE): The Wu state elevated Nanjing to Jinling Fu. In 937, the Southern Tang declared it their capital, making it Southeast China’s political and cultural heart.
Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE): Nanjing, called Jiangning or Jiankang, became a major military and political center. Yue Fei won battles here, and the Sea Silk Road flourished from Nanjing’s port.
Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 CE): Nanjing was renamed Jiqing Lu and became the political oversight center for southern provinces. Its cloud brocade (Yunjin) industry served the royal court.
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE): In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty in Yingtianfu (Nanjing), making it the national capital. The city had the world’s largest population and city wall.
Early Qing Dynasty (1644–1850 CE): Nanjing was demoted to provincial capital but remained culturally vibrant. The Treaty of Nanjing was signed here in 1842, marking the start of China’s modern era.
Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1853–1864 CE): The Taiping forces captured Nanjing and renamed it Tianjing, making it their capital. It became the political center of the largest peasant uprising in world history.
Republic of China (1912–1949 CE): Nanjing was declared the capital in 1927 and entered a “Golden Decade” of development. In 1937, the Nanjing Massacre occurred after Japanese occupation.
People’s Republic of China (1949–Present): On April 23, 1949, Nanjing was liberated. It became the capital of Jiangsu Province and was later named a sub-provincial city and a megacity in China’s urban system.
Nanjing is located in eastern China, in the southwestern part of Jiangsu Province, along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
Its geographical coordinates range from 31°14′ to 32°37′ north latitude and 118°22′ to 119°14′ east longitude.
The city covers an area of approximately 6,587.02 square kilometers.
Its terrain features a long north-south stretch and a narrow east-west span.
The north-south distance reaches up to 150 kilometers, while the central part spans 50 to 70 kilometers from east to west.
Overall, the city forms an irregular shape extending from north to south.
Nanjing experiences a humid subtropical climate with distinct seasons and abundant rainfall.
Nanjing’s winters are dominated by northeasterly winds, with a January average of 2.7°C and a record low of −14.0°C.
Summer brings southeasterly breezes, a July average of 28.1°C, and an extreme high of 43.0°C on July 13, 1934.
The city averages 117 rainy days and 1106.5 mm of precipitation annually, with relative humidity around 76% and a frost‑free period of 237 days.
The plum rain season spans late June to early July, and annual average temperature is 15.4°C, ranging from −13.1°C to 39.7°C.
Seasonal transitions occur around April 1, June 8, September 18, and November 12, resulting in short springs and autumns but long winters and summers.
Afforestation and wind shifts have reduced summer heat, helping Nanjing shed its “furnace city” reputation.
| Month‑Year | Avg High (°C) | Avg Low (°C) | Record High (°C, Date) | Record Low (°C, Date) | Avg AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024‑04 | 22 | 14 | 27 (Apr 1) | 7 (Apr 4) | 55 |
| 2024‑05 | 26 | 17 | 33 (May 18) | 12 (May 1) | 50 |
| 2024‑06 | 29 | 22 | 35 (Jun 15) | 17 (Jun 6) | 44 |
| 2024‑07 | 33 | 27 | 38 (Jul 22) | 22 (Jul 11) | 29 |
| 2024‑08 | 35 | 28 | 40 (Aug 5) | 25 (Aug 27) | 41 |
| 2024‑09 | 31 | 24 | 38 (Sep 1) | 16 (Sep 22) | 34 |
| 2024‑10 | 21 | 15 | 28 (Oct 18) | 9 (Oct 22) | 42 |
| 2024‑11 | 17 | 10 | 25 (Nov 14) | 3 (Nov 28) | 47 |
| 2024‑12 | 10 | 1 | 21 (Dec 2) | −2 (Dec 15) | 102 |
| 2025‑01 | 11 | 1 | 16 (Jan 14) | −4 (Jan 9) | 71 |
| 2025‑02 | 10 | 2 | 22 (Feb 28) | −6 (Feb 7) | 64 |
| 2025‑03 | 17 | 8 | 33 (Mar 26) | 0 (Mar 16) | 61 |
Nanjing lies at the northern margin of the Yangtze craton, with a basement of lightly metamorphosed schist and volcanic rocks aged 864–1,031 Ma.
A sedimentary cover 8–9 km thick spans from the Sinian to the Quaternary, recording three marine transgressions, one major orogeny, and two intense volcanic events over 700 Ma.
Early Paleozoic seas deposited over 2.5 km of carbonate and clastic rocks, followed by Devonian shallow deposits of around 130 m with plant fossils.
During the Carboniferous–Permian, 500 m of marine limestone and red beds accumulated before Permian uplift and coal-bearing fluvial sediments.
In the late Paleozoic–Mesozoic, successive marine and terrestrial deposits totalling over 3 km were folded and intruded during the Yanshanian orogeny, producing rich mineralization.
Since the Paleogene, over 1 km of continental strata, a second volcanic pulse produced basalt flows at Fangshan and Shigui Hills.
Nanjing, known as a “natural geological museum,” features diverse landforms including Yangtze River floodplains, fertile alluvial soil, hillocks, and karst landscapes.
Belonging to the Ning–Zhen–Yang mountain region, low mountains, hills, and uplands cover approximately 60.8 percent of the city area.
Plains, depressions, rivers, and lakes occupy about 39.2 percent, with river valley plains and lakeshore plains under 10 m in elevation along the Yangtze and its islets.
North of the river lie the Laoshan range, Chuhe valley plains, extensive uplands, and scattered hills.
South of the Yangtze divides into three zones: the northern range of peaks like Zhongshan, Niushou, and Yuntai at 200–400 m; a central intermontane basin with the Qinhuai River valley at 5–10 m; and a southern lowland of loess hills and lake plains at 5–40 m, framed by Maoshan ridges.
Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing’s water bodies occupy 11.4 percent of its land area.
The Yangtze River traverses the city from southwest to northeast for about ninety‑three kilometers, with nearly two hundred kilometers of urban shoreline.
Nanjing hosts over one hundred twenty rivers and streams along with major lakes such as Xuanwu, Mochou, Baijia, Shijiu, Gucheng, and Jinniu.
Most local rivers belong to the Yangtze basin, while northern streams in Liuhe District feed into Gaoyou and Baoying lakes of the Huai River system.
The Yangtze sub‑systems include the Qinhuai, Chuhe, branch lakes, small tributaries, and the western Taihu sub‑basin near Gaochun.
Groundwater resources are abundant and of high quality, underpinning famous thermal springs such as Tangshan, Tangquan, and Zhenzhu, which sustain both local tourism and spa cultures.
One characteristic of Nanjing’s water resources is that local supply is limited while transit flow is abundant.
The city lies downstream of the Yangtze, Shuiyang, Qinhuai, and Chuhe rivers, with transit flow reaching 920.6 billion cubic meters in 2015 (Yangtze: 911.0 billion; Shuiyang: 7.423 billion; Chuhe: 2.132 billion).
In 2022, total water resources fell to 1.09 billion cubic meters, a 60.7 percent decrease from 2021 and 51.7 percent below the long‑term average.
Precipitation dropped to 862.3 millimeters, down 26.2 percent from 2021 and 20.2 percent below the average.
Surface water amounted to 0.99 billion cubic meters, decreasing 63.0 percent from 2021 and 54.6 percent compared to historical levels.
Local groundwater availability remains limited, prompting reliance on transit flows for urban and agricultural demands.
By 2022, Nanjing had 1,521 hectares of wetlands, 141,641 hectares of arable land, 14,415 hectares of orchards, 152,683 hectares of forest, and 13,077 hectares of grassland.
Urban and industrial land covered 153,532 hectares, transportation networks occupied 33,517 hectares, and water bodies and facilities spanned 31,442 hectares.
During the 13th Five‑Year Plan, the city arranged 159,800 mu of construction land plans, including 109,800 mu of new allocations and 50,000 mu of reallocations.
By March 2024, forested area reached 2.97 million mu, achieving 31.96 percent canopy cover and a 44.96 percent greening rate in built‑up areas.
Urban green space accounted for 40.82 percent of the city area, providing 16.2 square meters of parkland per resident.
The city administers ten state forest farms covering 350,000 mu, supporting biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use.
Nanjing boasts rich mineral resources across four major metallogenic belts, including iron, copper, sulfur, and polymetallic zones.
By 2020, 49 mineral types (58 subspecies) had been identified, with proven reserves for 31 minerals such as iron, copper, lead, zinc, gold, and strontium.
Non-metallic resources including pyrite, tourmaline, dolomite, limestone, gypsum, along with energy minerals like coal and geothermal reserves, further diversify local reserves.
A total of 83 deposits have been confirmed—25% large, 30% medium, and 45% small—reflecting balanced distribution and strong regional significance.
Strontium, iron, copper, and lead-zinc ores together account for over 60% of Jiangsu’s reserves, placing Nanjing among the province’s leading mining areas.
Geothermal fields and deep polymetallic occurrences offer sustainable development opportunities, while exploration potential remains high in belt margins.
The city’s forest vegetation includes coniferous stands of Masson pine, black pine, cedar, cypress, dawn redwood, and mixed coniferous forests.
Broadleaf forests feature poplar, oak, camphor, elm, willow, and various hardwood species.
Urban streets and parks are lined with London plane trees, locust, cypress, sycamore, paulownia, and diverse ornamental shrubs.
Over 1400 ancient and historic trees remain, including nearly 950 century‑old specimens and over 460 rare or commemorative trees.
Agricultural lands yield rice, wheat, corn, beans, and sweet potatoes, while orchards produce cotton, oilseed, hemp, melons, and strawberries.
The region supports 790 species of wild medicinal plants, with over 27 million kilograms harvested annually, including motherwort, kudzu, and traditional Chinese herbs.
Planting of iconic species such as French plane trees and cedars reflects Nanjing’s century‑long botanical heritage.
Nanjing supports 410 terrestrial vertebrate species, 699 terrestrial insects, and 712 aquatic organisms, demonstrating remarkable faunal diversity.
Recent surveys have discovered two new insect species unique to the globe, three national insect records, and three Jiangsu provincial insect first records.
The city’s bird list has grown to 334 species across 20 orders, making habitats such as Shijiu Lake, Xinjizhou, and Longpao vital sanctuaries for protected avifauna.
National second-class protected mammals like the hog deer and raccoon dog have stable or increasing populations, while Yangtze finless porpoise numbers show a positive recovery trend.
Remarkably, in March 2025, researchers at Nanjing University using drones observed two endangered red-crowned cranes, marking the city’s first official record of this national treasure.
The observation of the red-crowned cranes underscores the importance of urban conservation and cutting-edge monitoring technologies in protecting wildlife.
Nanjing hosts 107 ecological protection zones as of 2023.
Among them, the Nanjing Yangtze Finless Porpoise Provincial Nature Reserve is the only urban core reserve for these porpoises, stretching 44.8 kilometers along the Yangtze River, protecting about 62 individuals.
Established in 2014, it covers 86.92 square kilometers, with core, buffer, and experimental zones measuring 30.25, 23.66, and 33.01 square kilometers respectively.
Meanwhile, Laoshan National Forest Park spans 5,063 hectares with over 90% forest cover and supports 2,081 species, including 1,187 vascular plants, 882 wild plants, 12 rare tree species, over 500 medicinal plants, and 136 bird species, 22 of which are nationally protected.
Known as Nanjing’s “green lung,” it features scenic peaks, springs, caves, and is a premier urban nature retreat within easy reach of the city.
Nanjing is a key central city in eastern China with a modern administrative structure consisting of eleven urban districts and the strategically important Jiangbei New Area.
Covering approximately 6,587 square kilometers and hosting over 9.49 million residents, the city is organized into four core central districts—Xuanwu, Qinhuai, Jianye, and Gulou—with concentrated cultural, political, and economic functions.
Emerging districts such as Jiangning, Qixia, and Yuhuatai specialize in advanced manufacturing, technology innovation, and digital economy development.
Peripheral districts including Pukou, Liuhe, Lishui, and Gaochun balance industrial growth with ecological preservation and tourism.
The establishment of Jiangbei New Area in 2015 further enhanced cross-river integration, promoting high‑tech, finance, and logistics sectors.
This configuration supports coordinated urban‑rural development and strengthens Nanjing’s role in the Yangtze River Delta.
Nanjing citizens embrace an enlightened openness, sincerity and honesty, universal love, and entrepreneurial innovation as their core values.
The city’s official tree is the Himalayan cedar, introduced and cultivated extensively since the 1920s, symbolizing steadfast resilience and timeless serenity.
The plum blossom is Nanjing’s city flower, celebrated each spring at Meihua Mountain and Yuhuatai for its purity and strength amid adversity.
“Jasmine Flower” serves as the municipal anthem, reflecting Nanjing’s poetic heritage and the elegance of its people.
The tourism logo, known as “Dragon Coiled, Tiger Crouched,” embodies the city’s historic strength and artistic spirit through a seal-inspired design.
Together, these symbols convey Nanjing’s identity as an ancient capital grounded in tradition and forward-looking in spirit.
Each symbol is woven into the daily life and landscapes of Nanjing, reinforcing a deep cultural resonance for both residents and visitors.
At the end of 2024, Nanjing’s permanent resident population reached 9.58 million, reflecting a year‑on‑year increase of 30,000 individuals, or 0.31% growth.
Urban residents number approximately 8.36 million, giving an 87.3% urbanization rate, up 0.1 percentage point year‑on‑year.
The city recorded a 6.19‰ birth rate and a 5.15‰ death rate, yielding a natural growth rate of 1.04‰ in 2024.
As a typical multi‑ethnic city on China’s southeastern coast, Nanjing hosts 56 ethnic groups under one municipal administration.
Han Chinese form the majority, while permanent minority residents total 140,000 and an additional 133,000 are part of a mobile minority population.
The city includes one ethnic township, three ethnic villages, and one ethnic group settlement to support cultural preservation and social integration.
Nanjing dialect originated in soft Wu speech but evolved into the Jianghuai Mandarin subgroup of Northern Chinese dialects after centuries of linguistic convergence.
During the Jin dynasty, Central Plains elites migrated south, blending elegant northern speech with local Wu pronunciations to form early Nanjing vernacular.
With its elevation to Ming dynasty capital, the city’s pronunciation became the foundation for official court Mandarin, known as Nanjing Mandarin, standard until modern reform.
Today the dialect preserves ancient features such as the entering tone and prevalent erhua, distinguishing Nanjing speech by five tones, while two main varieties coexist—the traditional “Old Nanjing” and the more widespread “New Nanjing” accent.
The rapid spread of Standard Mandarin has diminished the old dialect, making the emerging New Nanjing speech closer to the national standard yet retaining unique local intonations.
Nanjing hosts five major religions—Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism—each with its own municipal association.
As one of China’s earliest Buddhist cultural centers, Nanjing gave rise to the Sanlun and Fayan schools and remains a leading site for Buddhist revival, featuring the Jinling Bible Carving Place, a unique woodblock publisher of Chinese scriptures and cradle of modern Buddhist scholarship.
Nanjing hosts the China Christian Study Center and seminaries like Jinling Union and Jiangsu Seminary, serving as a national hub for Protestantism supported by social organizations such as the Amity Foundation and Amity Printing Company.
Catholicism arrived over four centuries ago with Matteo Ricci, and the Shigu Road Cathedral now anchors the Nanjing Archdiocese.
The city also nurtures Hui Muslim culture, with the Geda Miaope sect playing a pivotal role in regional community development.
Nanjing is renowned for its authentic folk customs that blend simplicity with refined cultural depth.
Traditional performances such as dragon lantern dances, Wu Chang mask dances, and hand‑lion rituals reflect agricultural celebrations rooted in local history.
Villagers in Gaochun leap as the ‘Five Madmen,’ drumming and chanting to honor ancestral spirits and pray for good harvests.
Chasing lanterns along the Qinhuai River, residents gather during the Spring Festival to release wishes and appreciate light displays.
Seasonal customs include climbing the city wall on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month to ‘tread peace’ and ward off illness.
Eating black glutinous rice at the U fan festival symbolizes health and prosperity, using dyes and family recipes passed down generations.
These vibrant rituals embody the city’s motto of ‘elegance without pretension,’ nurturing a rich tapestry of communal identity and festive spirit.
Nanjing has been a pivotal literary center since ancient times, giving birth to foundational works such as Wen Xin Diao Long and serving as inspiration for classics like Dream of the Red Chamber.
The city’s painting and calligraphy heritage dates back to the Six Dynasties, producing masters like Wang Xizhi and later the New Jinling School in the 20th century.
Local performing arts thrive in Nanjing through traditions such as Nanjing opera, Baju storytelling, and Yangqiao folk dramas.
Its musical legacy includes the exquisite Jinling Qin School of guqin performance and the globally renowned folk song “Mo Li Hua,” known as China’s second national anthem.
Dance forms like dragon lantern and Five Madmen mask dances are celebrated intangible cultural treasures.
Nanjing crafts flourish with intricate yun brocade, gold leaf gilding, paper cutting, and bamboo carving techniques passed down for centuries.
Since the 1990s, Nanjing has ranked among China’s top five investment and business environment cities.
By 2024, regional GDP reached RMB 1.85 trillion, growing 4.5 percent year on year.
The tertiary sector accounted for two‑thirds of output, while industry and agriculture contributed 31.5 and 1.8 percent respectively.
Nanjing’s steel, petrochemical, automotive, and electronics industries form its economic backbone and host multiple billion‑yuan clusters.
Fixed‑asset investment totaled RMB 477.7 billion, with high growth in high‑tech equipment and new materials sectors.
Consumer prices rose modestly by 0.4 percent, underscoring stable inflation and healthy domestic demand.
Per capita disposable income exceeded RMB 75,000, while retail sales topped RMB 8.55 trillion with steady growth.
Foreign trade remained robust, with exports up 3.9 percent despite overall volume declines, and FDI at USD 2.83 billion.
Nanjing has been a cultural and educational hub since the Eastern Han dynasty, with the first recorded school founded in AD 30 by the Danyang governor.
During the Six Dynasties, Nanjing’s Taixue university pioneered a five‑faculty system combining teaching and research.
In Ming and Qing eras, venues such as Guozijian and multiple academies attracted nearly ten thousand scholars and international students from Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
Modern educational reforms introduced China’s first kindergarten in 1923 and pioneering public middle schools at the turn of the 20th century.
Today, compulsory education covers 402 primary and 284 secondary schools with universal standards, while 53 higher‑education institutions enroll 834,300 undergraduates and 219,900 postgraduates.
Nanjing’s commitment to educational excellence continues through 1,012 kindergartens, 22 vocational schools, and 15 special‑education institutions serving diverse learners.
Nanjing’s medical heritage begins in the late Eastern Han dynasty, with pioneering institutes such as the Six Diseases Pavilion laying the foundation for integrated care.
Over successive dynasties, imperial hospitals and scholarly physicians elevated both traditional Chinese and Western medicine, making the city a regional medical beacon.
Today, Nanjing is a national pharmaceutical research center, housing nine universities with bio‑economy programs and fourteen key laboratories that advance drug discovery and clinical evaluation.
The city’s healthcare network includes 3,979 institutions—446 hospitals and clinics—offering over 74,000 beds and supported by 116,900 medical professionals.
During the 2020 COVID‑19 outbreak, Nanjing achieved patient zero transmission clearance within 49 days and dispatched nearly a thousand medical workers to Hubei, demonstrating its rapid emergency response capacity.
Nanjing is one of China’s four major cloud data centers, a five-region telecom hub and a national internet backbone node city with eight key link points.
Selected in 2019 as one of China’s first 5G commercial pilot cities, the city has since accelerated digital infrastructure and networks.
Nanjing consistently ranks among the top Chinese innovation and research centers, with Nanjing University placed second in 2014 high-quality research output, and the city third in nationwide scientific productivity in 2015.
Internationally, it was ranked twelfth globally and third in China among research cities by Nature Index in 2018, and it rose to sixth globally and third domestically in the 2023 Nature Index research city assessment.
By 2024, Nanjing hosts over six hundred provincial engineering centers and a 2.35‑million‑square‑meter Silicon Alley park with nearly 3,800 tech firms.
In 2024, the city hosted 176 cultural industry parks and bases, including 15 national- and 31 provincial-level sites.
By year‑end, it operated 14 municipal cultural centers, 15 public libraries, 101 cultural stations, and 82 museums.
A total of 651 heritage protection points across 575 units preserve historic landmarks.
Community engagement reached new heights with 1,232 integrated cultural service centers meeting provincial standards.
Iconic venues such as the Nanjing Museum, Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, and China Civil Aviation Museum anchor the city’s rich tapestry of history and innovation.
The expansive network of institutions supports exhibitions, performances, and educational programs, fostering public access to heritage and the arts while driving cultural tourism and creative industry growth across the metropolis.
Annual festivals showcase intangible heritage and digital art, drawing millions of visitors and nurturing local talent while boosting the cultural economy.
Nanjing is recognized as the birthplace of modern sports in China, having hosted the first national games in 1910 and launched China’s first Olympic Committee precursor in 1924.
The city’s pioneering role continued when China’s inaugural Olympic team trained, assembled, and departed from Nanjing, cementing its status as the cradle of the Chinese Olympic dream.
In 2014, Nanjing staged the Youth Olympic Games, becoming the first Chinese city after Beijing to welcome athletes from over 200 countries and regions.
In 2024, the “Three‑In” sports initiative brought more than 130 events into scenic spots, streets, and commercial areas, including 12 international competitions and over 70 national‑level tournaments.
Key venues such as the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center, Youth Olympic Sports Park, and Wutaishan Sports Center support top‑tier events, while Jiangsu Football Club and the Nanjing Tongxi Dragons represent the city’s professional teams.
Nanjing boasts a comprehensive highway network with 538 kilometers of expressways completed by 2022, ranking first in Jiangsu Province and leading among vice‑provincial cities.
It forms a “ring‑eight‑horizontal‑eighteen‑radiation” grid with 27 national and provincial trunk roads spanning 1,250 kilometers and connecting districts and townships at all levels.
Major expressways such as G25, G36, G40, G42 and G4211 radiate from Nanjing to neighboring provinces, enabling efficient long‑distance travel.
The urban road network density ranks second among vice‑provincial cities, and per capita road area is highest, with continuous connectivity down to townships.
Nanjing has also pioneered rural road advancement, earning all eight agricultural districts recognition as provincial “Four Good Rural Roads” demonstration zones.
In 2024, highway freight transport reached 247.83 million tonnes, up 13.2%, while passenger trips grew by 11.7% to 75.03 million.
Nanjing serves as a major national railway hub connecting North, East, and Central China and is recognized as the eastern region’s principal rail traffic center.
It functions as a key junction for north‑south and east‑west trunk lines within China’s four vertical and four horizontal railway network.
By 2020, the city had formed a “one ring, two cross, and eight lines” layout spanning 476 kilometers of track linking regional and national corridors.
High‑speed trains from Nanjing reach most provincial capitals nationwide, tying with Shanghai and Beijing for the highest coverage.
The network includes six operational high‑speed stations—Nanjing, Nanjing South, Jiangning, Lishui, Jiangning West, and Xianlin—and the new Nanjing North station under construction, scheduled to open in 2027.
In 2024, rail freight reached 8.32 million tonnes, up 7.9%, and passenger trips totaled 86.67 million, an increase of 11.8%.
Nanjing pioneered civil aviation in China, constructing thirteen airports since 1912.
The original Xiaoying Airport opened in 1912, followed by the Ming Palace airstrip in 1927 and the Daxiaochang base in 1929, which also hosted China’s first aviation school in 1931.
In 1997, operations moved to Nanjing Lukou International Airport, Jiangsu’s gateway and a major national cargo hub connecting Asia, Europe, America, and Australia.
Ma’an International Airport and Tushan military airport continue to serve mixed civil‑military needs.
In 2024, civil aviation freight reached 63,000 tonnes, cargo and mail 414,600 tonnes, and airport passenger throughput surpassed 31 million, all rising year on year.
On February 25, 2025, Nanjing announced the civil opening of Lishui Ma’an Airport, further boosting its air transport capacity.
Nanjing is one of China’s major shipping centers and the Yangtze River international shipping logistics hub.
Since the Three Kingdoms era, the city hosted both military and commercial harbors, with Eastern Wu declaring the waterway open across the Five Continents.
From the Yuan dynasty, Nanjing became a key departure port for transporting southern grain to northern capitals, and during the Ming, Zheng He set sail from here on his voyages.
In 2024, waterborne freight volume reached 198.44 million tonnes, up 5.7%, while passenger transport totaled 756,200 trips.
Nanjing Port serves as a national comprehensive transport hub, offering river‑sea transfer, intermodal rail links, and container handling.
The completion of the 12.5‑metre deep channel makes it the deepest inland international deep‑water port in China.
In 2024, container throughput exceeded 3.71 million TEU, growing 7.2% year‑on‑year.
Nanjing was selected in 2024 as a model city for prioritized public transport and green mobility.
The city introduced responsive stops on 78 bus routes with skip‑stop operations and hail‑and‑ride features at 29 locations, cutting peak travel times by up to four minutes and journeys by 23.8%.
Thirty‑three “Blue Whale” micro‑circulation lines move over 30,000 passengers daily, while eleven holiday tourism routes served 291,000 visitors last year.
Dynamic on‑demand bus trials use 13 vehicles offering ride‑hail and charter services, peaking at 500 single‑day trips.
The 483 km-plus metro network comprises 15 rapid transit lines and two catenary‑free tramways totaling 16.8 km, including the Hexi line since 2014 and Qilin since 2017.
Four taxi fare tiers charge 11 RMB for the initial 2–3 km and then 2.4–2.9 RMB per additional kilometer based on vehicle class.
The origins of Nanjing Metro date back to the establishment of the Jingshi Railway in 1907, making the city the first in China to host urban rail transit.
The first modern metro line opened on May 15, 2005, making Nanjing the sixth mainland city to launch subway operations.
As of December 2024, the network comprises thirteen lines, 234 stations, and a total length of 484 kilometers, covering all eleven municipal districts.
Nanjing is the first Chinese city whose entire administrative area is served by metro and the third to operate intercity lines after Shanghai and Guangzhou.
In 2024, the metro carried 1.096 billion passengers, marking an 8.6% increase over the previous year.
The system continues to expand with new lines and extensions planned to enhance east–west and north–south connectivity.
| International Sister City | Details | International Cooperative City | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | USA (Signed Nov 2, 1979) | Mersin | Turkey |
| Florence | Italy (Signed Feb 22, 1980) | Houston | USA |
| Eindhoven | Netherlands (Signed Oct 9, 1985) | Cleveland | USA |
| Leipzig | Germany (Signed May 21, 1988) | Stuttgart | Germany |
| Mexicali | Mexico (Signed Oct 14, 1991) | Alsace Region | France |
| Limassol | Cyprus (Signed Sep 23, 1992) | Hauts‑de‑Seine Province | France |
| Daejeon | South Korea (Signed Nov 14, 1994) | Croydon | UK |
| London (Canada) | Canada (Signed May 7, 1997) | Kobe | Japan |
| Perth | Australia (Signed May 18, 1998) | Temuco | Chile |
| Bloemfontein | South Africa (Signed Mar 22, 2000) | Turin | Italy |
| Barranquilla | Colombia (Signed Jun 3, 2001) | Melbourne | Australia |
| Malacca | Malaysia (Signed Oct 30, 2008) | Belo Horizonte | Brazil |
| Bandar Seri Begawan | Brunei (Signed Nov 11, 2011) | Bangalore | India |
| Windhoek | Namibia (Signed Sep 9, 2015) | Wayne County | USA |
| Mogilev | Belarus (Signed Sep 27, 2016) | Los Angeles County | USA |
| Concepción | Chile (Signed May 26, 2018) | Birmingham | UK |
| Bien Hoa | Vietnam (Signed May 26, 2018) | San Jose | USA |
| Shiraz | Iran (Signed Jul 25, 2018) | Boston | USA |
| Semarang | Indonesia (Signed Oct 2018) | Tijuana | Mexico |
| Ashkelon | Israel (Signed Jan 2019) | Krakow | Poland |
| Siem Reap Province | Cambodia (Signed May 2018) | Dallas | USA |
| Kathmandu | Nepal (Signed Oct 2019) | Queens Borough, New York | USA |
| Era | Category | Names |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient | Emperors | Sun Liang, Sun Xiu, Sun Hao, Sima Yan, Sima Yue, Sima Dan, Sima Pi, Sima Yi, Sima Yu, Sima Yao, Sima Dezong, Sima Dewen, Liu Shao, Liu Jun, Liu Ziye, Liu Yu, Liu Yu, Liu Zhun, Xiao Ze, Xiao Baojuan, Xiao Baorong, Xiao Yan, Xiao Gang, Chen Bozong, Chen Qian, Chen Xu, Li Yu, Zhu Di, Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Gaochi |
| Ancient | Top Scholars (Zhuangyuan) | Lu Ying, Ye Zuoqia, Yu Li, Wu Qian, Zhang Xiaoxiang, Huang Guan, Jiao Hong, Zhu Zifan, Zhou Xuan, Yuan Shi, Wen Zhi, Yin Feng, Dong Yongsui, Hu Renyu, Qin Dashi, Huang Siyong, Lin Benzhi, Wu Changhua, Fu Shanxiang |
| Ancient | Cultural Figures | Bao Zhi, Wang Changling, Xu Xi, Ju Ran, Jin Cong, Xu Zhonglin, Gu Qiyuan, Yu Bing, Shen Fuzong, Liu Zhi, Cao Xueqin, Qin Dashi, Deng Tingzhen |
| Ancient | Scientists | Zu Chongzhi, Tao Hongjing, Wang Zhenyi |
| Modern | Military, Political & Business | Liao Luyan, Li Ruhong, Li Shengjiao, Guo Jinlong, Zhang Guiping, Dong Mingzhu, Yang Xiaochao, Pan Yue, Lu Shaye, Wu Zhenglong |
| Modern | Cultural Figures | Shi Liangcai, Lin Sanzhi, Tang Guizhang, Hu Xiaoshi, Guo Bingwen, Gan Tao, Chen Yuguang, Yu Guangzhong, Feng Lihuan, Wu Jinglian, Li Yining, Ye Zhaoyan, Chen Weiya, Wang Shuo |
| Modern | Scientists | Zhang Jianzai, Zhang Dongliang, Yu Dafu, Zhou Ren, Gao Yisheng, Li Guoding, Yang Liming, Zhang Pang, Ye Zhizheng, Gu Zhiwei, Wu Liangyong, Zhao Renkai, Jiang Xikui, Hu Hesheng, Ding Henggao, Zhong Nanshan, Liu Yongtan, Sun Zhongxiu, Huang Ru |
| Modern | Athletes | Luan Jujie, Xu Rong, Hu Xinggang, Yang Yang, Zhao Ruirui, Xiao Qin, Wu Lei |
| Modern | Performing Artists | Hai Qing, Mei Ting, Ni Ni, Yang Zishan, Yan Yidan, Zu Feng, Xiong Dailin, Pu Shu, Jiang Zixin, Chen Bige, Dai Feifei, Tao Zeru, Gao Haining, Feng Xianzhen, Wu Wenjing, Jun Jun, Wang Bozhao, Ma Junqin, Zhou Zhou, Xuan Lu, Huang Tingting, Sun Ning, Gong Mi, Xu Xiyan, Shen Danping, Zhao Yuanyuan, Xi Yuli, Chen Ziyan, Jin Ning, Zhou Ziyan, Tang Xin, Hu Xiaoyue, Ding Wei, Zhang Doudou, Li Yingying, Ma Xiaoyuan, Qian Liuyin |
| Era | Category | Names |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient | Emperors | Sun Liang, Sun Xiu, Sun Hao, Sima Yan, Sima Yue, Sima Dan, Sima Pi, Sima Yi, Sima Yu, Sima Yao, Sima Dezong, Sima Dewen, Liu Shao, Liu Jun, Liu Ziye, Liu Yu, Liu Yu, Liu Zhun, Xiao Ze, Xiao Baojuan, Xiao Baorong, Xiao Yan, Xiao Gang, Chen Bozong, Chen Qian, Chen Xu, Li Yu, Zhu Di, Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Gaochi |
| Ancient | Top Scholars (Zhuangyuan) | Lu Ying, Ye Zuoqia, Yu Li, Wu Qian, Zhang Xiaoxiang, Huang Guan, Jiao Hong, Zhu Zifan, Zhou Xuan, Yuan Shi, Wen Zhi, Yin Feng, Dong Yongsui, Hu Renyu, Qin Dashi, Huang Siyong, Lin Benzhi, Wu Changhua, Fu Shanxiang |
| Ancient | Cultural Figures | Bao Zhi, Wang Changling, Xu Xi, Ju Ran, Jin Cong, Xu Zhonglin, Gu Qiyuan, Yu Bing, Shen Fuzong, Liu Zhi, Cao Xueqin, Qin Dashi, Deng Tingzhen |
| Ancient | Scientists | Zu Chongzhi, Tao Hongjing, Wang Zhenyi |
| Modern | Military, Political & Business | Liao Luyan, Li Ruhong, Li Shengjiao, Guo Jinlong, Zhang Guiping, Dong Mingzhu, Yang Xiaochao, Pan Yue, Lu Shaye, Wu Zhenglong |
| Modern | Cultural Figures | Shi Liangcai, Lin Sanzhi, Tang Guizhang, Hu Xiaoshi, Guo Bingwen, Gan Tao, Chen Yuguang, Yu Guangzhong, Feng Lihuan, Wu Jinglian, Li Yining, Ye Zhaoyan, Chen Weiya, Wang Shuo |
| Modern | Scientists | Zhang Jianzai, Zhang Dongliang, Yu Dafu, Zhou Ren, Gao Yisheng, Li Guoding, Yang Liming, Zhang Pang, Ye Zhizheng, Gu Zhiwei, Wu Liangyong, Zhao Renkai, Jiang Xikui, Hu Hesheng, Ding Henggao, Zhong Nanshan, Liu Yongtan, Sun Zhongxiu, Huang Ru |
| Modern | Athletes | Luan Jujie, Xu Rong, Hu Xinggang, Yang Yang, Zhao Ruirui, Xiao Qin, Wu Lei |
| Modern | Performing Artists | Hai Qing, Mei Ting, Ni Ni, Yang Zishan, Yan Yidan, Zu Feng, Xiong Dailin, Pu Shu, Jiang Zixin, Chen Bige, Dai Feifei, Tao Zeru, Gao Haining, Feng Xianzhen, Wu Wenjing, Jun Jun, Wang Bozhao, Ma Junqin, Zhou Zhou, Xuan Lu, Huang Tingting, Sun Ning, Gong Mi, Xu Xiyan, Shen Danping, Zhao Yuanyuan, Xi Yuli, Chen Ziyan, Jin Ning, Zhou Ziyan, Tang Xin, Hu Xiaoyue, Ding Wei, Zhang Doudou, Li Yingying, Ma Xiaoyuan, Qian Liuyin |
| Honor | Rank/Batch | Award Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Most Happiest City (provincial capitals and sub‑provincial cities) | — | December 2024 |
| 2023 Most Happiest City (provincial capitals and sub‑provincial cities) | — | November 2023 |
| Nature Index – Scientific Cities Ranking | 6th globally | November 2023 |
| National Low‑Carbon Pilot Excellent City | — | July 2023 |
| “New First‑Tier City” in City Business Charm Ranking | — | June 2023 |
| National Top‑100 Cities Innovation Capability | 4th (after Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen) | February 15, 2023 |
| National Innovative City Innovation Capability Index | 2nd (after Shenzhen) | February 15, 2023 |
| 2022 Nature Index – Scientific Cities Ranking | 8th globally, 3rd in China | November 2022 |
| Global Top‑10 Scientific Cities | 8th globally, 3rd in China | September 2021 |
| Asian Top‑100 Cities | 11th in Asia, 5th in China | August 2020 |
| China Urban High‑Quality Development Ranking | 5th (after Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen) | August 2020 |
| National Eco‑Garden City | — | January 22, 2020 |
| World Literature Capital | Only one in China | October 2019 |
| Global Best Tourist Destination | 5th globally, only one in China | March 2019 |
| International Peace City | Only one in China | September 2017 |
| World Skating Capital | Only one globally | February 2016 |
| China Moderately Prosperous Society Construction Demonstration Award | 1st | October 2015 |
| National Comprehensive Transport Service Demonstration City | First batch | August 2015 |
| China’s Most Cultural Soft‑Powerful City | 1st | November 2014 |
| China’s First Software City | First in China | September 2010 |
The must-see attractions include the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall, Confucius Temple, Qinhuai River, and Nanjing Museum, each offering a glimpse into Nanjing’s rich history and cultural significance.
The best time to visit Nanjing is in spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) when the weather is mild, and beautiful scenery enhances attractions like the Purple Mountain.
Try salted duck, a Nanjing specialty, along with soup dumplings, duck blood vermicelli soup, and pan-fried beef dumplings, all of which reflect Nanjing’s unique culinary style.
Nanjing has a well-developed metro system, buses, and affordable taxis, making it easy to navigate the city’s main attractions and neighborhoods conveniently.
Yes, nature lovers will enjoy Purple Mountain, Xuanwu Lake, and Mochou Lake Park, which offer scenic views, hiking trails, and peaceful settings within Nanjing’s vibrant urban landscape.
The Year of the Tiger, the third sign in the Chinese zodiac, symbolizes bravery, strength, and protection.
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Discover what to eat in Chengdu, from hot pot and dandan noodles to rabbit head and bingfen, with spice, ordering, budget, and food-safety tips for your trip.
China is not yet a developed country—it remains the world’s largest developing nation due to its uneven growth and moderate per capita income.
The Year of the Dragon, corresponding to the Earthly Branch “Chen” (辰), the fifth sign in the Chinese zodiac, represents power, fortune, and mystery.
Share your travel ideas, and we’ll help you plan a smooth, personalized trip across China.
Share your travel ideas, and we’ll help you plan a smooth, personalized trip across China.
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• Flexible availability for custom trips
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