A former imperial capital south of the Yangtze - Ming walls, tree-lined avenues, and the lantern-lit Qinhuai River.
Nanjing is a designated 240-hour transit port and a cultural counterpoint to Shanghai - stately, green, and rich in history with a polished retail scene.
Two templates — pick by your time budget.
Spend 2-3 days in Nanjing, rail to Shanghai/Hangzhou; an elegant 30-day stop.
Nanjing's premier shopping district - brands, tax-free stores.
Snacks, lanterns, handicrafts along the river.
Souvenirs near historic sites.
Lakeside walks and tea.
Concrete places to shop in this city — pair with the district plan above.
Nanjing has designated tax-free stores - check locally which offer instant refund; otherwise collect forms and claim at the airport.
Nanjing is stately and scholarly - plane trees, imperial tombs, and a gentle southern elegance.
| Route | Nanjing role | Recommended days |
|---|---|---|
| 10-day transit | Single base | Full 10 days |
| 30-day visa-free | Elegant stop | 2-3 days + Shanghai/Hangzhou |
See the City Guides hub for the other entry cities, the Smooth Arrival guide for border-to-checkout flow, and the tax & shopping system for refund mechanics.
Yes - a refined historic 240-hour transit port south of the Yangtze with Ming walls, Qinhuai lantern culture, and polished shopping.
Xinjiekou for malls and brands, Fuzimiao (Qinhuai) for snacks and lanterns, the Ming-walls area for souvenirs, and Xuanwu Lake for tea.
Nanjing has designated tax-free stores - check locally which offer instant refund; otherwise collect the form and claim at the airport.
Silk, crafts, lanterns, and snacks - refined gifts rather than bargains.
A 10-day transit fits a Nanjing base; on a 30-day route, 2-3 days paired with Shanghai or Hangzhou.
Policy numbers change. Before you book, confirm the current eligible-country lists, ports and participating tax-refund stores on the official English sources below.