Nanjing Travel Guide

Culture and Arts

Nanjing is a cultural city where ancient traditions meet modern creativity. With a rich array of museums, art galleries, and cultural venues, the city offers an impressive collection of treasures and unique spaces that add to its vibrant charm. Strolling through these venues feels like navigating a sea of history and art, allowing visitors to truly experience Nanjing’s distinctive cultural heritage and artistic atmosphere.

Nanjing Museum

As one of China’s top three museums and among the earliest established in the country, Nanjing Museum is a must-visit cultural landmark. It comprises several sections including the History Hall, Art Gallery, Special Exhibition Hall, Digital Hall, Republic of China Pavilion, and Intangible Cultural Heritage Pavilion, showcasing a broad spectrum of historical and artistic treasures.

Address:
No. 321 Zhongshan East Road, Xuanwu District

Admission:
Free

Opening Hours:
9:00-17:00 (Closed on Mondays, except public holidays; closed on New Year's Eve and Lunar New Year's Day)

Official Website:
www.njmuseum.com
Nanjing Yun Brocade Museum

Formerly known as the Chinese Brocade Craft Exhibition Hall, founded in 1984, the Nanjing Yun Brocade Museum showcases the exquisite art of Chinese ethnic brocade weaving, with a special focus on the famed Nanjing Yun brocade. It is the only museum in China dedicated to Yun brocade and is recognized as one of the "New 48 Scenic Spots of Jinling." The exhibits feature unique relief and inlay techniques that express the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Chinese nation. Notably, Nanjing Yun brocade is listed by the United Nations as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Address:
No. 240 Chating East Street, Jianye District

Admission:
Free

Opening Hours:
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Jiangning Imperial Silk Manufacturing Museum

Located on the historic site of the Qing dynasty Jiangning weaving office, this museum combines a rich display of weaving heritage, Yun brocade art, the classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber, and traditional garden design. It serves as an innovative cultural space dedicated to showcasing the history and cultural significance of Dream of the Red Chamber.

Address:
No. 123 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District

Admission:
30 CNY per person

Opening Hours:
January 1 - June 30 and September 1 - December 31: 09:00-17:30 (Closed on Mondays). July 1 - August 31: 09:00-20:00 (Open on Mondays).
Six Dynasties Museum

Designed by the American firm Beyer Blinder Belle Architects, the Six Dynasties Museum is the most comprehensive site museum showcasing relics from China’s Six Dynasties period. It is also the most systematic museum dedicated to Six Dynasties culture, featuring exhibition halls such as the Imperial Capitals of the Six Dynasties, Reflections on the Six Dynasties, The Splendor of the Six Dynasties, and Prominent Figures of the Six Dynasties.

Address:
No. 302 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District

Admission:
30 CNY per person

Opening Hours:
January 1 - June 30 and September 1 - December 31: 09:00-17:30 (Closed on Mondays). July 1 - August 31: 09:00-20:00 (Open on Mondays).
Nanjing City Wall Museum

The largest museum in China dedicated solely to city walls, located next to Zhonghua Gate and closely connected to the actual ancient walls. This museum tells the story of the walls, the city they enclose, and the lives of the people within.

Address:
No. 1 Bianying, Qinhuai District

Admission:
Free

Opening Hours:
July 1 - August 31: 09:00-20:00 (Open on Mondays). September 1 - June 30: 09:00-17:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Nanjing Folklore Museum (Former Residence of Gan Xi)

Known locally as the "Ninety-Nine and a Half Rooms," Gan Xi’s former residence is the largest and best-preserved private home in Nanjing. This elegant Jiangnan-style residence, with its blue bricks and tile roof, exudes charm and grace. The garden features exhibitions of Nanjing folk customs, including lantern making, wood carving, paper cutting, kite crafting, and traditional opera masks—offering a fascinating cultural experience.

Address:
No. 15 Nanbuting, Qinhuai District

Admission:
20 CNY per person

Opening Hours:
July 1 - August 31: 09:00-18:30 (Open on Mondays). Other times: 09:00-17:30 (Closed on Mondays)
Jiangsu Grand Theatre

Shaped like four "water droplets" resting gently on a "lotus leaf," Jiangsu Grand Theatre beautifully embodies the watery charm of the Jiangnan region and symbolizes a spirit of inclusiveness flowing like converging rivers. Inside these four droplets, you’ll find the Opera Hall, Concert Hall, Drama Hall, and Variety Hall—together forming a world-class platform for showcasing and exchanging international artistic performances.

Address:
No. 181 Mengdu Street, Jianye District
Poly Grand Theatre

With graceful lines and a sailboat-inspired design, Poly Grand Theatre boasts a modern and dynamic look. The venue houses a 1,917-seat main theater and a 441-seat golden concert hall. It regularly hosts high-quality domestic and international plays, concerts, and performances, making it a beloved temple for lovers of fine arts.

Address:
No. 6 Yecheng Road, Jianye District
Jiangsu Art Museum

Founded in 1936, Jiangsu Art Museum is China’s first national-level modern art museum. It features two exhibition buildings—the Old Hall and the New Hall—and mainly showcases modern and contemporary artworks, along with pieces spanning ancient to international styles. The museum hosts rotating exhibitions that attract visitors from around the world.

Address:
No. 333 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District

Admission:
Free

Opening Hours:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Deji Art Museum

At Deji Art Museum, exhibitions begin with essential cultural reflection, framed within a global perspective and contemporary context. The museum guides the public into a rich and diverse array of themes, offering visitors an engaging journey through art and culture.

Address:
8F, Phase II, Deji Plaza, No. 18 Zhongshan Road, Xuanwu District

Admission:
Vary by exhibition

Opening Hours:
Wednesday to Monday: 10:00-24:00, Tuesday: 12:00-24:00
Golden Eagle Art Museum

Suspended 200 meters in the air within a skybridge connecting three towers, the Golden Eagle Art Museum offers a one-of-a-kind cultural experience. Designed as an “urban living room,” it blends visual art with music, poetry, and theater, all in a spectacular setting above the city.

Address:
52F, Tower A, Golden Eagle World, No. 888 Yingtian Avenue, Jianye District

Admission:
Vary by exhibition

Opening Hours:
11:00-18:30 (Closed on Mondays)

Culture and Arts

Nanjing Museum

Nanjing Yun Brocade Museum

Jiangning Imperial Silk Manufacturing Museum

Six Dynasties Museum

Nanjing City Wall Museum

Nanjing Folklore Museum (Former Residence of Gan Xi)

Jiangsu Grand Theatre

Poly Grand Theatre

Jiangsu Art Museum

Deji Art Museum

Golden Eagle Art Museum