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Ask a QuestionNanjing, with its long history and profound culture, is a famous and popular destination in China. Nanjing used to be the capital of six dynasties. Boasting Zhongshan Scenic Area(including the Ming Tomb, Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, Linggu Scenic Area and Meiling Palace), Jiming Temple, Qixia Temple, Xuanwu Lake, Mochou Lake, Niushou Mountain and Confucius Temple-Qinhuai River Scenic Area, there are plenty of things to explore in Nanjing. Located near Shanghai and Suzhou, Nanjing is a good choice of destination if you plan a trip to Shanghai or Suzhou.
The best time to visit Nanjing is in spring and autumn, especially from April to May, and September to November.
Recommended Sites: Jiming Temple, Xuanwu Lake, Nanjing City Wall, Zhongshan Scenic Area
Spring in Nanjing is warm and humid. From March, the weather becomes warm and humid with less rain. It is a good time for outdoor activities and tourism. The average temperature in this season is about 5.7℃ ~ 14.3℃.
In spring, the cherry blossoms near the Jiming Temple and the Xuanwu Lake are beautiful and impressive. You can explore the Jiming Temple, Nanjing City Wall(Nanjing Ming City Wall) and the Xuanwu Lake together because the exit of the Jiming Temple of located near the Jiefang Gate of the Nanjing City and the entrance of the Xuanwu Lake. Mochou Lake is a good destination in spring with the lush willows and vibrant spring scenery.
Qinhuai River
Qinhuai River: The Qinhuai River is a branch of the Yangtze River, running about 110 kilometers, a major watercourse around Nanjing City. In ancient times, places around the Qinhuai River and the Nanjing Confucius Temple were already very prosperous. The banks along the Qinhuai River were the gathering place for noble and wealthy families, and were also frequently visited by scholars. Floating lights are the most famous view on the Qinhuai River. On the river, any boat or ship, large or small, will hang color lamps. It is a very important activity for a visitor to ride such a boat, floating on the river to enjoy the scenes.
Recommended Sites: Nanjing Museum, Niushou Mountain, Jiming Temple
In Summer, Nanjing becomes one of the three “furnace cities” along the Yangtze River, together with Wuhan and Chongqing. It has an average high of 29 °C and an average low of 20.7 °C in summer. The rainy season falls in June and July.
Nanjing in summer is hot, and you can visit some indoor attractions like the Nanjing Museum and Niushou Mountain. In the Nanjing Museum, you can know about the long history and profound culture of this ancient city. In Niushou Mountain, you can admire the Buddhist treasure in it and know about the Buddhist culture in Nanjing. At night, you can take a boat on the Qinhuai River to experience the gorgeous night in Nanjing, just like the scene in the past dynasties. Visiting the Jiming Temple, burning incense and worshiping is also good choice in Nanjing in summer.
Dr Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: The Mausoleum is built for Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great forerunner of China democratic revolution. Sheltered by hill slopes, the mausoleum faces the south, and consists of a semi-circular square, memorial archways, tomb passage, the gate tablet pavilion, memorial hall and coffin chamber. The mausoleum is in the pattern of a "clock of freedom", wishing the whole world would take the democratic road.
This mausoleum faces level land and backs on green mountains. It is built in a combined Chinese and Western architectural style and is shaped like an alarm clock. The mausoleum mainly consists of Memorial Archway of Universal Fraternity, Mausoleum Gate, Tablet Pavilion, Sacrificial Hall and Coffin Chamber.
Recommended Sites: Wutong Avenue at the Zhongshan National Park, Qixia Temple, Nanjing City Wall
Autumn is short but the most pleasant season in Nanjing. It is cool and dry with an average high of 18.7℃ and an average low of 27.0℃.
In autumn, the autumn leaves in Nanjing are amazing. In the Qicia Temple, you can climb the Qixia Mountain and enjoy the red maple leaves at the Qixia Temple. The maple leaves make the Qixia Temple more beautiful. In autumn, the Shixiang Road in the Zhonshan Scenic Area is called the most beautiful 600 meters in Nanjing with the golden leaves on the both sides. And the parasol trees at the Wutong Avenue is very popular in Nanjing in autumn. Many tourists come to Nanjing for the parasol trees in autumn.
The Ming Tomb
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum: It is the tomb of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming Dynasty. It lies at the southern foot of Purple Mountain. The construction of the mausoleum began during the Hongwu Emperor life in 1381 and ended in 1405, during the reign of his son the Yongle Emperor, with a huge expenditure of resources involving 100,000 laborers. The original wall of the mausoleum was more than 22.5 kilometers long.
The mausoleum was built under heavy guard of 5,000 military troops. Xiao-ling has been the leading mausoleum system in the Ming and Qing dynasties, possessing a fabulous and cherished position in the development of Chinese imperial mausoleum. On July 3, 2003, Xiao-ling Mausoleum was inscribed on the list of World Heritage by UNESCO.
Recommended Sites: Xuanwu Lake, Zhongshan Scenic Area, Nanjing City Wall, Jiming Temple, Purple Mountain, Confucius Temple
Nanjing is cold in winter with occasional snow, lots of rain and fog. The average temperature of Nanjing's winter is about 2.3℃ ~ 11.0℃. The coldest month is January, with an average high of 7℃ and an average low of -1℃.
In winter, the plums(wintersweet) at the Xuanwu Lake start to bloom, and the colorful plums attract many people to the Xuanwu Lake. If it is snowy in Nanjing, many places in Nanjing are beautiful and worth visiting. The Purple Mountain covered by snow is pure. The Xuanwu Lake covered by snow is like a wonderland. The Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum covered by snow is in a solemn atmosphere. Jiming Temple covered by snow is differently beautiful in the tranquil atmosphere. And the Nanjing City Wall covered by snow is more attractive.
Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River
Confucius Temple: Confucius Temple in Nanjing is for people to worship Confucius, the great thinker and educator in ancient China. Now it is one of the bustling areas in Nanjing with the East and West markets. The temple is centered on Dacheng Hall, where a statue of Confucius is enshrined. Other halls and pavilions are laid out symmetrically. Qinhuai River is regarded as the companion pool of the temple.
On the opposite bank of the river is an ochreous red screen wall with green tiles. With a length of 110 m (361 ft), the wall is the longest of its kind in China. The first entrance to the temple is a tall arch 'Tian Xia Wen Shu'. The construction of both the screen wall and the arch are in an ancient architectural style used for screens and decoration.
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Month Item
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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Maximum
Temperature(℃) |
7.0
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8.4
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13.8
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20.3
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25.6
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29.8
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31.7
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32.7
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27.7
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22.7
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16.1
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9.1
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Minimum
Temperature(℃) |
-1.1
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0.6
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4.6
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10.6
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16.1
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20.5
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24.2
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24.5
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19.3
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12.8
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6.1
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0.4
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Rainfall(mm)
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37.4
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47.6
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81.7
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73.4
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102.1
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193.4
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185.8
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128.9
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71.6
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65.1
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50.8
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24.3
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Days of Rainfall
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1.3
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2
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2.7
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3.4
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3.9
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5.5
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7
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4.7
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3.7
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1.8
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1. 9
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1.3
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1. Despite the amount of sunlight in Nanjing, there is a significant daily difference in temperature. So it is better to take some warm clothes to protect you away from the sudden low temperature.
2. The rainy season falls in June and July. Please bring your umbrella or other rain gears.
3. To protect yourself from the strong ultraviolet rays in summer, please bring your sunglasses, sunblock and daily medicines.
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