🏛️ 5A National Attractions
Last verified 30 Jun 2025
Nanjing's official 国家5A级 roster contains 2 scenic areas. Together they span Purple-Mountain solemnity and Qinhuai-River lantern bustle—perfect bookends to the city's 2 500-year story.
1 Quick Metrics
Total sites
2
Categories: Mountain-mausoleum park • River-front cultural quarter
Entry-fee range
Free (Confucius-Temple zone) – ≈ ¥70 (Purple-Mountain combo)
Variable by site type
Core hours
Zhongshan Scenic Area 08:30–17:00 • Qinhuai riverside shops 10:00–22:00
Variable by site type
Real-name booking
Required for Zhongshan Scenic Area
'南京预约通' mini-program
2 Why It Matters
Capital DNA, two stops — Purple Mountain (中山陵园风景区) weaves ROC ideals with Ming-dynasty grandeur, while Qinhuai River (夫子庙秦淮风光带) preserves the merchant-lantern vibe of Six-Dynasty fame.
UNESCO calibre — Ming Xiaoling—inside Zhongshan Park—is part of the UNESCO "Ming-Qing Imperial Tombs" serial listing.
Day-night contrast — Hike cedar forests and spirit-ways by day; cruise lantern canals and snack alleys by night—all reachable by metro in ≤ 30 min.
3 Pro Tips
1
Purple-Mountain pass – ¥120 "all-area" e-ticket bundles Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling & Linggu Temple shuttle; book 7 days ahead at 07:00.
2
Early-bird entry – Choose the 08:30 Zhongshan slot for a crowd-free climb; daily cap ≈ 10 000.
3
Lantern timing – Qinhuai River lights 18:30–22:00; boarding the ¥60 boat at 19:00 means minimal queue & full glow.
4
Cycle the spirit-way – Rent a Mobike at Ming Xiaoling East Gate and coast downhill past the stone animals to Muxuyuan metro.
4 Full 5A List
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Mountain-mausoleum park · Xuanwu
Zhongshan Scenic Area / 南京钟山风景名胜区
Includes Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (free, ticketed), Ming Xiaoling (¥70), Linggu Temple & cable-car outlook; real-name QR required.
🏮
River-front cultural quarter · Qinhuai
Confucius-Temple – Qinhuai River Cultural Tourism Area / 夫子庙秦淮风光带
Lantern boats, imperial exam hall, snack alleys; temple ticket ¥30, riverside promenade free; peak glow 19:00–22:00.
Anchor your Nanjing itinerary on these two flagship zones—imperial walls by daylight, lantern rivers by night—No Tourist Traps. No BS.