🇨🇳 Updated October 2026

Welcome to
Nanjing, China.

The ancient capital of six dynasties. Your free, multilingual companion for visa-free entry, cultural experiences, payments, transport, and real local tips — all in one place.

🔍 Check My Visa ✨ Explore Experiences
68万+
2025 visitors
240h
Transit visa-free
4
Languages
24/7
Travel support
🛂
Entry
Visa-free guide
💳
Payments
Foreign card ready
🚇
Transport
Metro · Didi · Rail
🗣️
Language
EN · 中 · 한 · BM
① SURVIVAL GUIDE

Nanjing Entry Survival Kit

Everything you need from landing at Lukou Airport to your first WeChat payment — step by step, no surprises.

✈️ Airport Arrival Step-by-Step

  1. 1
    Immigration & Customs

    Have your passport (valid ≥6 months), hotel booking, and return flight ready. 240-hour transit visa-free available for many nationalities.

  2. 2
    Buy a SIM or eSIM

    China Mobile/Unicom desks in arrivals. Or pre-order an eSIM online before flying (Airalo recommended).

  3. 3
    Take Metro Line S1 → City

    ¥7 to Nanjing South Station (~35 min). Accepts foreign bank cards at ticket machines. Or use Didi app for ~¥120 taxi.

  4. 4
    Set Up Payment Apps

    Download Alipay (add foreign card in Tour Pass) or use Nihao Pay. WeChat Pay also supports Visa/Mastercard.

  5. 5
    Check into Your Hotel

    Hotels will register your stay with police (required by law). Keep the registration slip for any future visa matters.

📱 Essential Apps (Install Before You Fly)

💰
Alipay (Tour Pass)
Scan & pay everywhere, add foreign cards
Must
🗺️
Amap (高德地图) English
Best navigation, 15 languages supported
Must
🚕
DiDi (International)
Uber of China, in-app translation
Must
💬
WeChat
Messaging + mini-programs + menus
Rec.
🚆
12306 (English)
Book high-speed train tickets with passport
Rec.
🔤
Pleco Dictionary
Best offline Chinese-English dictionary
Nice

🆘 Emergency Numbers & Survival Phrases

110
Police
120
Ambulance
119
Fire
12345
Foreigners Hotline
📖 Essential Chinese Phrases (tap to show)
Hello
Nǐ hǎo
你好
Thank you
Xièxiè
谢谢
How much?
Duōshao qián?
多少钱？
I don't understand
Wǒ tīng bù dǒng
我听不懂
Where is the toilet?
Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?
洗手间在哪里？
I need help
Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù
我需要帮助
② MUST-DO EXPERIENCES

Curated by Locals, Loved by Travelers

Handpicked Nanjing experiences that skip the tourist traps. Book directly with our trusted partners — instant confirmation, English support.

Niushoushan Buddha Palace TOP PICK

Niushousan Buddha Palace + Private Guide

Stunning underground Buddhist palace with English-speaking guide. Includes hotel pickup and skip-the-line entry.

★★★★★(284)
¥488 ¥328
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum FREE ENTRY

Zhongshan Scenic Area Walking Tour

Explore Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling, and the Plum Blossom Hill with a curated route map.

★★★★★(412)
Free
Nanjing Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup FOOD TOUR

Old Nanjing Street Food Night Tour

3-hour guided walk through Laomendong & Confucius Temple. Taste 8+ local dishes with English menu cards.

★★★★★(197)
¥298 ¥198
Hanfu Experience in Laomendong PHOTO SHOOT

Hanfu Dress-Up + Photographer

Traditional Chinese hanfu rental with hair/makeup and 2-hour professional photo shoot in Laomendong.

★★★★★(356)
¥388
Nanjing Museum FREE ENTRY

Nanjing Museum English Audio Guide

Unlock 60+ highlights of China's first national museum. Works offline, no app needed — just scan QR.

★★★★☆(156)
¥29
Qinhuai River Night Cruise NIGHT CRUISE

Qinhuai River Night Boat + Dinner

40-minute lantern-lit cruise on Confucius Temple riverfront. Includes traditional Jinling cuisine dinner.

★★★★★(231)
¥258
③ ONE-STOP TOOLKIT

Tools You'll Actually Use

No downloads, no accounts. Use these right in your browser to make your trip smoother.

🚇

Metro Route Planner

All 13 lines, real-time fares, station names in English/Chinese. Calculate fastest route and price.

💰

Tax Refund Calculator

China offers up to 11% VAT refund for tourists spending ≥¥500 at tax-free shops.

¥
⚖️

Quick Converter

RMB ↔ your currency, temperature (°C↔°F), weights, sizes. Tap to swap.

≈ 13.80 USD
🗣️

Restaurant Menu Helper

Show this card to the waiter. One tap — they'll know exactly what you need.

🌤️

Nanjing Weather & Packing

Live weather + outfit recommendations for your trip dates.

☀️
22°C
Sunny · Feels like 24°C

💡 Oct–Nov is peak season: bring a light jacket for evenings.

🆘

SOS Quick Translate

Tap a situation — get a big Chinese card to show people nearby instantly.

④ VISA-FREE CHECKER

Do I Need a Visa for China?

Updated October 2026. Select your nationality and stay duration — get instant, plain-English answers.

✅ Visa-Free (15 days)

France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, UAE, and more. Just book your flight and go!

⏱️ 240h Transit Visa-Free

Most nationalities can enter visa-free for up to 10 days when transiting via Nanjing Lukou (NKG) to a 3rd country.

💡 Tip: Use Nanjing as Hub

Nanjing is 1h by high-speed train to Shanghai, 3.5h to Beijing. Perfect starting point for a multi-city China trip.

Frequently Asked Visa Questions

Yes. For both visa-free entry and transit visa-free, you'll need a confirmed flight/train ticket to a 3rd country (not the one you arrived from) within the allowed time period. Digital copies on your phone are accepted.

Yes! You can travel freely within Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Anhui provinces during the 240-hour period. That means Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Huangshan are all accessible visa-free.

1) Passport valid for at least 6 months; 2) Arrival/departure card (provided on plane); 3) Onward travel proof; 4) Hotel booking or invitation letter. Have digital copies saved on your phone.

Standard processing at Chinese embassies/consulates takes 4–5 business days. Express service (2–3 days) is available for an extra fee in most countries. We recommend applying at least 2 weeks before departure.

⑤ GO PREMIUM

Let Us Plan Your Perfect Trip

Save 10+ hours of research. Get a custom Nanjing itinerary built by local experts in 48 hours.

DIY Explorer
$0

Everything free on this site — guides, tools, visa checker.

  • ✅ Free survival guide
  • ✅ Visa checker tool
  • ✅ Metro & converter tools
  • ✅ Experience browsing
Start Free →
MOST POPULAR
Smart Traveler
$19$29

Custom PDF itinerary + priority support for your Nanjing trip.

  • ✅ Everything in Free
  • ✅ Custom Nanjing itinerary (PDF)
  • ✅ Personalized restaurant picks
  • ✅ Booking links with our discounts
  • ✅ 24/7 WhatsApp support (7 days)
VIP Concierge
$99$149

Full-service: private driver, guide, restaurant reservations, unlimited support.

  • ✅ Everything in Smart
  • ✅ Private English-speaking guide
  • ✅ Private car & driver (full day)
  • ✅ Restaurant reservations made for you
  • ✅ Airport pickup included
  • ✅ Unlimited support during trip
🏨 HOTEL PARTNERS

Foreigner-Friendly Hotels, Best Rates

We've vetted 80+ Nanjing hotels that accept foreign passports, support English, and take international cards. Booking via our partner links gives you up to 15% off and supports our free guides.

🔍 Search Hotels on Trip.com Compare on Booking.com

💡 We earn a small commission when you book — at no extra cost to you. It keeps this site free.

🏨
80+
Vetted Hotels
💳
Visa/MC
Accepted
🗣️
EN
Front Desk

Loved by Travelers from 40+ Countries

Real reviews from real visitors who planned their Nanjing trip with us.

★★★★★

"The visa checker saved me from a huge mistake — I didn't realize I qualified for the 240h transit! Spent 8 days in Nanjing and Shanghai without needing any visa."

🇺🇸
Sarah M.
from USA · Oct 2026
★★★★★

"Booked the hanfu photo shoot and Niushousan tour. Everything was seamless — the guides spoke perfect English. Worth every won!"

🇰🇷
민지 Kim
from Korea · Sep 2026
★★★★★

"The custom itinerary was perfect. They recommended a local duck blood vermicelli shop that was not on any blog — best meal of my trip!"

🇲🇾
Aisyah R.
from Malaysia · Aug 2026

Get Free Nanjing Travel Tips in Your Inbox

Join 12,000+ travelers. Get seasonal updates, new experience launches, and exclusive discounts. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Subscribe Free
Check Visa Plan Trip