In the ancient capital of Nanjing, with more than 8 million people, it’s surprising to see the lack of traffic congestion. Indeed, traffic seems manageable in comparison to similarly sized cities all across the world. While credit goes to thoughtful city planning, scooters, and bicycles, its efficient public transportation system is another factor. Indeed, the most essential form of transportation is the Nanjing subway.
About The Nanjing Subway
The fifth-largest public transportation system in China, the Nanjing Subway, first opened in 2005. Today, it operates seven subway lines across more than 135 stations. The Metro is also one of the world’s most extended subway systems, with a system length of 260 km or more than 160 miles. It even surpasses the lengths of international cities like Paris and Tokyo. With an annual average ridership of 800 million passengers, Nanjing Metro represents half of the public transportation services. Moreover, according to the Nanjing Bureau of Statistics, it’s growing in popularity.
Learning How To Ride The Nanjing Subway
If you are accustomed to systems like Paris and Tokyo, getting around the city shouldn’t be difficult. You can see many prominent cultural attractions with ease. For instance, Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum and the solemn Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall. Be that as it may, if you have limited experience riding a subway, it might be difficult. With that in mind, the following are some helpful tips on how to take the Nanjing subway and pay.
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The Subway System Map
Like many of the world’s major subway systems, the Nanjing subway system map features multiple routes. In this case, the map displays its Line (route) number (e.g., Line 1, Line 2) and color code. For example, Line 1 is blue, and Line 2 is red). Also, like other subway systems, each of the Metro’s subway lines is an end-to-end route. In other words, it has a starting and ending point and multiple station names in between. This type of system makes it easy to figure out the direction of travel to a destination. It can be accessible even without being familiar with the name of each subway station.
Sample Rides
As an example, look at Red Line 2. Here, it shows the ending points of Youfangqiao and Jingtian Road. If you want to visit Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum from Olympic Stadium East via the Red Line 2, you determine the direction of the subway line. In this case, it would be northward towards Jiangtian Road. In addition, you must stay on the subway train until you reach Xiamfang/Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum station. A more straightforward example is taking the Green Line 3 southward from the Nanjing Railway Station. To illustrate, in the East Mozhou Road direction to Confucius Temple/Fuzmiao station.
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The Fare Structure
Similar to other major subway systems, the Nanjing Metro has a ticketing or fare system. In other words, the fare is based on the distance traveled. In this case, the fare will be higher for a longer trip, such as beyond eight subway stations. Fortunately, the service in Nanjing and throughout China is far more affordable than in Paris and Tokyo. Even further, it is more affordable than most of the other world’s subway systems.
Understanding The System
Depending on the length of stay and the service needed, a visitor can purchase one or more single-ride tickets or a Nanjing Public Utility IC card for multiple rides. For simplicity purposes, the visitor can buy single-ride tickets with coins or ¥5 or ¥10 bills at vending machines located in subway stations. The tickets cost 2 yuan or about 29 cents for trips under the length of eight stations. Longer distances cost 4 yuan or 58 cents. Conversely, a visitor can use the Nanjing Public Utility IC Card for multiple trips.
Top Attractions Listed By Subway Line & Station
A list of 10 of the most essential attractions in Nanjing. All links have been revised or shortened for convenience and easier readability.
Confucius Temple /Qinhuai River
Located in the very popular Qinhuai Scenic Area, the Confucius Temple was originally built along the banks of the Qinhaui River. However, the structure was destroyed in 1034 during the Song Dynasty. Rebuilt shortly thereafter, the temple survived through the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The current temple dates back to the 19th century and remains a place of worship to the iconic Chinese philosopher Confucius. He died in 479 BC during the Spring and Autumn periods.
Green Line 3 – Confucius Temple/Fuzimiao station
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (Purple Mountain)
The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is the final resting place for the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder and first emperor of the Ming Dynasty. The mausoleum dates back to 1381 and was partially reconstructed in the mid-19th century. Visitors must not miss the breathtaking pedestrian walkway to the mausoleum, known as the Sacred Way, a 1.1-mile paved pathway featuring enormous statues of animals like camels, horses, and elephants. One of the most photographed spots in Nanjing is an excellent time to visit the Sacred Way during the peak of the fall colors season.
Red Line 2 – Muxuyuan Station or Purple Line 4 – Gangzicun Station
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Nanjing City Wall
Built during the Ming Dynasty, the Nanjing City Wall is one of China’s most extensive city walls and once the longest in the world. Taking 21 years to complete, the City Wall originally surrounded the ancient capital, covering 55 square kilometers or more than 21 square miles. It reached a height between 14-21 meters or 46-67 feet. Today, most of the 600-year-old wall still stands and continues to be one of Nanjing’s most culturally essential attractions.
Green Line 3 or Purple Line 4 – Jimingsi station
Nanjing Niushoushan Cultural Park
First opened in late 2015, the Nanjing Niushoushan Cultural Park is one of Nanjing’s newest and most popular attractions. Located in an area home to more than 30 Buddhist temples dating back from the Southern Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, the site is considered one of the most important Buddhist sites of worship in the country. It contains a wealth of treasures and breathtaking attractions. This includes the massive Usnia Palace, estimated to cover 136,000 square meters, and is graced with lavish artwork, most notably the fascinating Chan Interest Garden and the suitably named Thousand-Buddha Hall.
Blue Line 1 to Ruanjian Dadado. Transfer to bus route 754 to the East Entrance of Niushou Mountain Station.
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Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall
The Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall is a moving tribute to the estimated 300,00 residents who died during the worst atrocity of the Second-Sino-Japanese War in 1937. Completed in 1985 and extended ten years later, the site covers an area of 28,000 square meters (302,400 square feet). It features several sculptures on the grounds, as well as a significant number of artifacts within the memorial. Perhaps most importantly, it contains one of the mass burial grounds of that tragic event in history.
Subway Line 2 – Yunjin Road station
Nanjing Sports Park
First opened in 2005, the Nanjing Sports Park was built for the second Summer Youth Olympics, attracting young athletes worldwide during the summer of 2014. Covering an area of more than 400,000 square meters or 4.3 million square feet, the massive facility features a 61,443-seat multi-purpose stadium, a 13,000-seat gymnasium, a 4,000-seat aquatic complex, and a 4,000-seat tennis center.
Red Line 2 – Olympic Stadium East
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Presidential Palace
The Presidential Palace was built during the Ming Dynasty as a royal residence near the Ming Palace, which was imperial palace in the 14th century and when Nanjing was the official capital of China. More recently, the Presidential Palace was used as the Office of the President of the Republic of China from 1927 until the current presidential office moved to Taiwan in 1949. Now known as the China Modern History Museum since the late 1990s, it is China’s most prominent modern history museum.
Red Line 2 or Green Line 3 – Daxinggong station
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (Purple Mountain)
Quite possibly the premier attraction within the Purple Mountain Scenic Area, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is the final resting place of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the first president and founding father of the Republic of China. Completed in 1929, the magnificent mausoleum rests at the base of the second peak of Mount Zijin, also known as Purple Mountain. To reach the mausoleum, visitors must be able to climb nearly 400 stairs just beyond the grand entrance of the Mausoleum Gate.
Red Line 2 – Xiamfang station
Xuanwu Lake
One of Nanjing’s most famous lakes, Xuanwu Lake, is one of the most popular daytime destinations for residents and visitors alike. With a circumference of 15 km or 9.3 miles, the lake is encircled by a pedestrian walkway and typically filled with lively group fitness classes in the mornings and sightseers young and old all day long. The lake also features several sculptures, pagodas, temples, dining options, and even a small zoo.
Blue Line 1 – Nanjing Railway Station or Xuanwu Gate
Zhonghua Gate
Zhonghua Gate is the largest castle-style city gate in China, also known as the South Gate of the Nanjing City Wall. Likely the most visited section of the City Wall, the South Gate features stone ramps and steps, allowing visitors to reach the top-level pathway, which offers sweeping views of the Nanjing city skyline.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBSNews.com, CBS Radio, Engadget.com, NBC.com, NJ.com and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University in 2012.
