Nanjing Private Day Tour: History, Customizable Itinerary

Pick the sites that matter to you, then walk through Nanjing's layers

A private day tour of Nanjing with a guide who speaks English or Chinese, letting you choose 3 to 4 major sites from the city's ancient and republican-era landmarks. Hotel or train station pickup and drop-off are included. Entrance fees and meals are separate. The itinerary is flexible: discuss your interests with the guide and adjust the route on the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Nanjing's historic landmarks

• Pick up from hotel or station
• Discuss itinerary with guide
• Visit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum
• Explore Nanjing Museum exhibitions
• Visit Presidential Palace and gardens
• Walk along Ancient Ming City Wall
• Enjoy local lunch or dinner
• Transfer back to hotel or station

The experience

What makes this tour different is the choice: instead of a fixed route, you and your guide agree on which sites matter most before you start. The operator suggests the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum (a 20th-century memorial set on Purple Mountain with views across the city), the Nanjing Museum (one of China's largest, holding ancient regional artifacts), the Presidential Palace (a Ming Dynasty royal residence turned republican landmark), and the Ming City Wall at Zhonghua Gate (built over 600 years ago, with 27 caves and military defense architecture). If time allows, you can add the Xiaoling Tomb, Confucius Temple area, Jiming Temple or Xuanwu Lake. Your guide handles the narrative (the history, the architecture, why each place mattered), while you walk and look.

The day runs 7 to 8 hours. You're picked up from your Nanjing hotel or from Nanjing Railway or Nanjing South Railway station if you arrived by train. Transport between sites depends on which option you book: either a private air-conditioned car with driver, or local taxi/Uber rides arranged for you. Lunch or dinner happens during the tour and is at your own cost. Let the operator know any dietary needs when you book. The guide speaks English or Chinese. At the end of the day, you're dropped back at your hotel or station.

Moderate fitness is expected. You'll be walking around outdoor sites and climbing to viewpoints, like the top of the Zhonghua Gate for the skyline view. Dress smart casual and bring weather-appropriate clothing. The tour runs in all conditions. Children must be with an adult. Infants can sit on a lap or ride in a stroller.

What’s included

• Private guide speaking English or Chinese.
• hotel or train station pickup and drop-off.
• transport between sites (either a private air-conditioned car with driver, or arranged local taxi/Uber rides, depending on your option).
• a flexible itinerary of 3 to 4 sites chosen with your guide from major Nanjing landmarks spanning ancient and republican history.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private car tourUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · 12 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:30A great guide and a private driver with an air-conditioned car are included. Food and entrance fees are not included. Pickup is included.

Tour by Uber/TaxiUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · 12 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:30Local transport by Uber or taxi is included, along with a great guide. Entrance fees and food are not included. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:30

AgesAdult (8 to 88 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sunny Private Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the Private Car option if you want one driver and vehicle for the full day, or the Uber/Taxi option if you prefer to arrange rides between stops. Either way, the customizable route means you spend your time on the periods and sites that interest you most, whether that's the 20th-century Presidential Palace and Mausoleum or the ancient Ming City Wall and museums.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

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

Can I pick which attractions to visit, or is the itinerary set?

The itinerary is customizable. You discuss your interests with the guide at pickup and choose 3 to 4 sites from the suggested list, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum, Nanjing Museum, Presidential Palace, Ming City Wall and others, or request different ones if you prefer. The guide adjusts the route to fit your preferences.

What's the difference between the Private Car and Uber/Taxi options?

The Private Car option includes a dedicated air-conditioned vehicle and driver for the full day. The Uber/Taxi option arranges local taxi or Uber rides between sites as you go. Both include hotel or train station pickup and drop-off. Choose based on whether you prefer one car and driver throughout or separate rides between stops.

Are entrance fees to the museums and monuments included?

Entrance fees are not included and vary by site. The operator estimates around USD 20 per person total depending on which attractions you choose. Pay these separately when you arrive at each location.

What is the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum, and why is it on the suggested itinerary?

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum is a 20th-century memorial honoring the founder of the Republic of China, set on Purple Mountain with magnificent architecture and gardens. It's a major landmark for understanding modern Chinese history and offers views across the Nanjing skyline from the top.

How long is the walk along the Ming City Wall, and what will I see there?

The Ming City Wall, built over 600 years ago, is the largest city wall in China. You'll walk along it and explore the Zhonghua Gate, a castle-style gate with 27 caves, multiple archways and courtyards built for ancient military defense. Climbing to the top gives views of both old and new Nanjing.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch or dinner is not included. You arrange and pay for meals separately during the tour. Let the operator know about any dietary requirements when you book so the guide can help you find suitable options.