Nanjing Day Tour: Ancient Capital, Ming Tomb & Lunch

Zhonghua city gate is the largest in the world, built six centuries ago.

A private full-day tour of Nanjing's ancient sites with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and included lunch. You visit Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum or Meiling Palace, the Ming tomb, Zhonghua city gate, the world's biggest city gate, Confucius Temple, and Fuzimiao shopping street. The guide meets you at your hotel lobby and returns you there at the end of the day.

The experience

Your guide picks you up from your hotel lobby in Nanjing and drives you to Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum or Meiling Palace (closed Mondays), where you learn about the man who ended China's 2,000-year feudal monarchy and founded the Republic of China in 1912. From there you move to the Ming tomb, part of the same heritage sites that made Beijing's 13 Ming tombs a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage designation.

After lunch (included and Chinese), you visit Zhonghua city gate, built 600 years ago and the largest city gate in the world. Then comes Confucius Temple, first built in 1034 and one of the most visited temples of its kind in China. The surrounding area fills with street vendors selling food and souvenirs, especially during Spring, Lantern, and Mid-Autumn Festivals, and it's a known spot for finding antique bargains. Fuzimiao shopping street, attached to the temple grounds, offers delicious food stalls and local goods.

The tour runs 7 to 8 hours total. Your guide speaks English throughout, and you get a bottle of water, all main gate entrance fees, and private transportation in a single vehicle. At the end of the day, the guide returns you to your hotel or a walking street of your choice.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a dedicated vehicle.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• Chinese lunch.
• one bottle of water per person.
• entrance fees to all main sites including Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum or Meiling Palace, Ming tomb, Zhonghua city gate, and Confucius Temple.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private Nanjing ancient capital city day tour, lunch includedGuide in English · 08:00 and 09:00Pickup is included

Customized tour, tickets not includedGuide in English · 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Customized tour without tickets or lunch: it covers transfer and guide service for 8-9 hours. Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Youth (8 to 12 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by China Kongfu Panda tour

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you prefer a private guide and vehicle to set your own pace at each site, rather than joining a group following a fixed schedule.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 12 years); Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What was Dr. Sun Yat-sen's role in Chinese history?

Dr. Sun Yat-sen was the first president of the Republic of China and the man who ended China's feudal monarchy, which had lasted more than 2,000 years. He established the Republic of China in 1912, and his mausoleum in Nanjing is one of the day's main stops.

How old is Confucius Temple in Nanjing?

Confucius Temple in Nanjing was first built in 1034, making it nearly 1,000 years old. Though Confucius temples exist in many old Chinese towns, the Nanjing temple draws far more visitors than most and is surrounded by a lively area of street vendors and shops.

What makes Zhonghua city gate unusual?

Zhonghua city gate is the largest city gate in the world and was built 600 years ago. It stands as a major landmark of Nanjing's ancient architecture and is a key stop on the tour.

Is there time to shop and eat on this tour?

Yes. After lunch is included in the tour price, you visit Fuzimiao shopping street, which runs alongside Confucius Temple. The street is known for food stalls with local snacks and antique shops where bargains are common.