Nanjing Purple Mountain Tour: Sun-Yat Sen Mausoleum & Ming Tomb

A single morning covers four centuries of Chinese history without leaving one mountain.

This private day tour explores Nanjing's Purple Mountain Scenic area, a National 5A attraction, with a local guide, covering Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Mausoleum, Xiaoling Tomb (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and the largest imperial tomb of the Ming Dynasty), Meiling Palace, and Lingu Temple. Hotel or train station pickup and drop-off, lunch, and an air-conditioned car with bottled water are included. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours and operates in all weather. Your guide speaks English or Chinese and can adjust the itinerary if you need changes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Purple Mountain Scenic Area

• Pick up from hotel or station
• Travel to Purple Mountain scenic area
• Visit Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Mausoleum
• Tour Meiling Palace villa
• Walk at Xiaoling Tomb of Ming Dynasty
• Explore Lingu Temple and Pagoda
• Enjoy local lunch
• Return to hotel or station

The experience

If you're arriving by train or staying in a Nanjing hotel, your guide and driver pick you up and handle the transfer to Purple Mountain. The day unfolds as a walk through layers: you start at Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Mausoleum, where the steps climb through lush green mountains to views across the city, then move to Meiling Palace: a villa once home to Song Mei Ling and Chiang Kai Shek, built with both Chinese and Western architecture and called the "No. 1 Villa in the Far East." The guide explains the history of the couple who shaped modern China as you tour the exhibits inside.

The centerpiece is Xiaoling Tomb, the largest imperial tomb built for the first Ming emperor Zhu Yuan Zhang and Queen Ma. It's a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and the walk takes you down a sacred avenue lined with mythical guardian animals carved in stone, then through gardens that shift with the seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, lush green in summer, autumn foliage. The Ming architecture and the guide's account of the dynasty's customs and history anchor the afternoon. A stop at Lingu Temple, one of China's most important Buddhist temples, adds another layer: you see the Lingu Pagoda set among the mountain greens and learn about the religious wisdom the guide shares.

Midway through, you break for a local lunch. Your guide helps you order based on any dietary needs you mention at booking. Because this is a private tour, you can ask your guide to adjust the stops or timing if something interests you more. At the end of the day, you're dropped back at your hotel or the train station you arrived at.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to all four sites.
• hotel or train station pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned car.
• a local guide speaking English or Chinese.
• bottled water.
• and a local lunch with ordering help based on your dietary requests.

Options for this experience

2 options

Nanjing Hotel PickupGuide in English or Chinese · 8 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:30Pickup is included from your hotel in Nanjing where you are staying.

Pickup from Nanjing Train StationGuide in English or Chinese · 8 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:30If you arrive by train, pickup is included from Nanjing Railway or Nanjing South Railway station.

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 day8 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:30

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.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sunny Private Tours

Is this one for you?Pick hotel pickup if you're staying in Nanjing. Pick train station pickup if you're arriving by rail: each starts the tour from where you actually are.

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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.

What is Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Mausoleum and why is it important?

Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Mausoleum is one of Nanjing's top attractions, built to honor the "Greater Father of the Republic of China" and the forerunner of the 1911 Revolution. The majestic design sits surrounded by lush green mountains, and the climb to the top offers views across the city and a chance to learn the history of the Republic era from your guide.

Is Xiaoling Tomb really a UNESCO World Heritage site?

Yes, Xiaoling Tomb is inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. It's the largest imperial tomb built for the first Ming emperor Zhu Yuan Zhang and Queen Ma, and the walk through the sacred avenue lined with guardian animals and the seasonal gardens is one of the highlights of the day.

Can I pick up from Nanjing Railway Station instead of my hotel?

Yes, you can choose Nanjing Train Station pickup at checkout. Your guide and driver will meet you there and bring you back at the end of the day, so the transfer works the same way whether you're staying in a hotel or arriving by train.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour involves moderate walking. You'll climb steps at Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Mausoleum, walk the sacred avenue and gardens at Xiaoling Tomb, and explore the temple complexes at Lingu. The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness, and you'll spend most of the 7 to 8 hours on your feet exploring the sites.

Can the itinerary be changed if I want to spend more time at one site?

Yes, because this is a private tour, you can ask your guide to adjust the itinerary or timing if a particular site interests you more. Your guide will work with you to make changes during the day.