Thinking of taking the kids to Nanjing? Read this first. We break down whether China's ancient capital is worth a family trip ā and how to plan a 2D1N visit if you need to be there.
Let's be honest: Nanjing is not naturally a kid-friendly destination. Unlike cities built with world-class theme parks or endless child-centric entertainment, Nanjing's identity is anchored in massive Ming Dynasty monuments, historic city walls, sprawling tombs, and heavy cultural heritage. For young children, that translates to endless walking, scorching summer heat, and historical context they simply cannot digest.
If you are planning a dedicated family holiday to China, Nanjing probably shouldn't sit at the top of your list. However, if your family needs to be in Nanjing ā whether for a multi-city China circuit, family obligations, or business ā the city does hide several air-conditioned refuges, animal encounters, and high-energy spots that can keep little ones happy.
Here is our candid, tried-and-tested experience after spending 2D1N in Nanjing to help you balance the "must-see" cultural landmarks with realistic kid-friendly survival spots.
For more travel itineraries, see our following trips:Ā
This trip was made possible with the support of Scoot, who provided our flights and accommodation.
Where to Stay: Family Accommodation
Nanjing Wanda Realm
Verdict: Recommended (Comfortable Refuge for Families)
A reliable, high-end 5-star international hotel offering spacious, clean rooms and excellent service standards. After navigating heavy crowds and vast outdoor sites, having a quiet, comfortable sanctuary to recharge is essential for avoiding kid meltdowns.
It is located opposite a shopping mall, making it convenient to drop by the supermarket or grab a meal nearby too.
- Venue: No. 59 Zhushan Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing
- Opening Hours: 24/7 Front Desk (Standard Check-in from 2:00 pm, Check-out by 12:00 pm)
- Admission / Rates: From ~650 RMB (approx. S$120) per night
- Logistics & Transport: Located near Zhushan Road Metro Station (Line 1). Quiet area with western and international breakfast options suitable for young children.
Getting There
We flew to Nanjing with Scoot, which operates direct flights between Singapore Changi Airport and Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) ā roughly a 5.5-hour flight, ideal for a short family circuit like this one. Flight schedules and fares change frequently, so check flyscoot.com for the latest routes and timings before booking.
Top Family-Friendly Highlights (Must-Visit for Kids)
1. Hongshan Forest Zoo
Verdict: Kid-Friendly (High Energy Burner)
Hongshan Forest Zoo is a massive, heavily wooded sanctuary home to giant pandas, gorillas, giraffes, and Asian elephants. The habitats are impressive and naturalistic, making it easily one of the best spots in the city for children.
The Catch: The terrain is vast and hilly. Trying to cover this zoo on foot with a stroller or young kids is a recipe for total exhaustion.
Survival Strategy: Do not attempt to walk it all. Immediately upon entering, buy tickets for the internal shuttle buses (which run on fixed loops) or hire a private electric buggy to drive your family around independently.
- Venue: No. 168 Heyan Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing
- Opening Hours: 8:30 am ā 6:00 pm daily (Last admission at 4:30 pm)
- Admission: ~40 RMB (Adults); Free for children under 1.4m
- Logistics & Transport: Buggy rentals (~100 RMB/hour) or Tourist Shuttle Trains (~15ā20 RMB/person). Accessible via Hongshan Zoo Station (Line 1)Ā
2. Nanjing Underwater World
Verdict: Kid-Friendly (The Ultimate Trip Saviour)
Located near the Purple Mountain area, this four-storey oceanarium is arguably the biggest hit for kids on this itinerary. While compact compared to massive international aquariums, it offers three things parents will love: full air-conditioning, interactive opportunities, and easy entertainment.
Highlights: A transparent travelator tunnel on the ground level lets kids watch sharks and rays swim overhead.
Interactive Play on Level 4: Head straight to the 4th floor, where children can participate in hands-on animal feeding sessions for a small additional fee.
Shows & Extras: Daily schedules feature mermaid and dolphin performances. Plus, every standard ticket includes a free ride on the double-decker carousel outside the main entrance.
- Venue: No. 8 Sifangcheng, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Scenic Area, Xuanwu District, Nanjing
- Opening Hours: 8:30 am ā 5:00 pm daily
- Admission: ~150ā170 RMB (Adults); ~120 RMB (Children/Students)
- Logistics: Fully air-conditioned and stroller-accessible. Aim to arrive before 1:00 pm to catch the main dolphin show.
3. Laomendong Historic District
Verdict: Kid-Friendly (Fun Evening Vibe & Food Hub)
Moving Laomendong straight into our top tier of family picks: this restored historical pedestrian district successfully combines ancient architecture with high energy, lively street food, and family-accessible entertainment. It is also ground zero for costume photoshoot studios where parents and children can dress up in traditional guzhuang or 1920s Republic-era attire (Cheongsam and styled hair).
Why It Works for Families: Unlike rigid historical monuments, the pedestrian streets are completely vehicle-free, wide enough for strollers, and filled with local snack stalls, ice cream shops, and sit-down dining options. The vibrant night-time illuminations and lanterns keep kids thoroughly entertained.
- Venue: South of Zhonghua Gate, Qinhuai District, Nanjing
- Opening Hours: District open 24/7; individual shops, food stalls, and photo studios operate roughly 10:00 am ā 10:00 pm daily
- Admission: Free entry; food and photo packages priced individually
- Logistics: Easily accessible via Didi or Line 3 (Wudingmen Station). Ideal for an early dinner and evening stroll.
Historical Pitstops (Keep It Brief for Kids)
City Wall of Nanjing (Jiefang Gate Section)
Verdict: Parent Sightseeing Only (Limit to 30 Mins)
Stretching over 25 km, this is the longest surviving city wall in the world. Entering via the Jiefang Gate offers a beautiful vantage point where ancient heritage (Jiming Temple) meets modern high-rises and Xuanwu Lake.
Kid Reality Check: Unless your children are dressing up for a photo shoot, walking on top of a brick wall loses novelty quickly. Treat this strictly as a quick photo stop.
- Venue: Jiefang Gate entrance, Xuanwu District, Nanjing
- Opening Hours: 8:30 am ā 5:00 pm daily
- Admission: ~30 RMB (Adults); Free for children under 1.2m
- Transport Trap: The narrow access road to Jiefang Gate gets gridlocked. Walk out to the main road before calling a ride via Didi.
Xuanwu Lake
Verdict: Weather Dependent
A vast public park right next to the city wall featuring gardens, eateries, and pedal boats.
Summer Warning: Nanjing summer temperatures easily hit 35Ā°C (feeling like 40Ā°C). Avoid walking outdoors in peak heat; rent a shaded duck boat or ride the open-air tourist bus around the perimeter.
Autumn Upgrade: In autumn, the cooler weather and vibrant orange-and-yellow foliage turn this into a scenic, comfortable spot for a relaxed family stroll.
- Venue: No. 1 Xuanwu Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing
- Opening Hours: Park open 24/7; Scenic shuttle buses and boat rentals operate 8:00 am ā 5:00 pm
- Admission: Free entry to park grounds; Scenic bus tour (~30 RMB/person); Boat rentals (~80ā120 RMB/hour depending on boat type)
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum & Yingyuetai
Verdict: Skip with Young Kids
Ming Xiaoling Tomb: While historical and visually grand, the sprawling park requires massive amounts of walking outdoors, and young kids will likely be bored by ancient burial sites. (We only passed through because of a Didi drop-off error on our way to Underwater World!)
Yingyuetai: Located about a 10-minute walk from the aquarium area, it is primarily a crowded spot for photography with virtually nothing for children to do.
- Venue: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Scenic Area, Xuanwu District, Nanjing
- Opening Hours: 6:30 am ā 6:00 pm daily
- Admission: ~70 RMB (Adults); Free for children under 1.4m
Alternative Venues (If You Want More Kid-Centric Options)
If you want to swap out outdoor historical monuments for engaging indoor alternatives, look into these three options. We were unfortunately not able to visit these venues but received feedback about why they are family friendly.Ā
Deji Art Museum ("An Era in Jinling" Exhibition)
Photographed by Zhao Rui (čµµē) / wikipedia
Verdict: Highly Recommended (Interactive Digital Fun)
Located inside Deji Plaza shopping mall, this interactive digital exhibition gives visitors smart wristbands. As your child walks along a massive digital wall projection, their custom avatar moves with them, completes mini-missions, and triggers virtual fireworks and lanterns.
- Venue: Floor 8, Phase 2, Deji Plaza, No. 18 Zhongshan Road, Xuanwu District
- Opening Hours: 10:00 am ā 12:00 am (midnight) daily
- Admission: From 140 RMB (all-access across 3 exhibitions); from 20 RMB (night-access, after 8 pm)Ā
- Logistics: Located inside a luxury mall with plentiful family dining, nursing rooms, and air conditioning. Direct access from Xinjiekou Metro Station (Line 1/2).
Nanjing Museum (Children's Hall)
Verdict: Great Rainy-Day / Educational Stop
Features an entire dedicated section where Chinese history, traditions, and ancient inventions are explained through colorful cartoon-style illustrations and interactive, hands-on displays designed for children.
- Venue: No. 321 Zhongshan East Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing
- Opening Hours: 9:00 am ā 5:00 pm (Closed on Mondays; Last entry at 4:00 pm)
- Admission: Free entry (Advance booking via WeChat mini-program is strictly required)
- Logistics: Near Minggugong Metro Station (Line 2). Bring passports for entry verification.
Niushoushan Cultural Park
Verdict: Visual Wonder for Older Kids
A modern, futuristic Buddhist temple complex with surreal dome architecture. While cultural, the visual scale feels like a sci-fi movie set, which can captivate older children and teenagers.
- Venue: No. 18 Ningdan Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing
- Opening Hours: 8:30 am ā 5:30 pm daily
- Admission: ~160 RMB (Adults); ~80 RMB (Children/Students)
- Logistics: Located outside the city center. Budget roughly 30ā40 minutes by Didi ride from downtown Nanjing.
Suggested 2D1N Itinerary
Here's our suggested walkthrough combining the highlights above ā adjust timing based on your child's age and nap schedule.
Day 1
- Morning (9:00 am): Arrive, check in at Nanjing Wanda Realm (early check-in if possible) or drop bags. Head straight to Hongshan Forest Zoo ā go early to beat the heat and crowds. Buy shuttle bus or buggy tickets immediately upon entry. Budget 2ā3 hours.
- Midday (12:30 pm): Lunch near the zoo, then Didi to Nanjing Underwater World. Fully air-conditioned ā ideal for the hottest part of the day. Aim to arrive before 1:00 pm for the dolphin show.
- Late afternoon (4:00 pm): Quick photo stop at City Wall (Jiefang Gate) ā 30 minutes max, skip if kids are already tired. Xuanwu Lake is also here, so you may wish to take some time to visit the lake and park.Ā
- Evening (6:00 pm): Didi to Laomendong Historic District for dinner, costume photos, and an evening stroll among the lanterns. Wind down here ā it's low-effort and high-reward for tired kids.
Day 2
- Morning (9:00 am): If it's a rainy day or your kids are older, head to Nanjing Museum's Children's Hall (book your WeChat reservation the night before ā slots go fast). Bring passports. Alternatively, if you have digital-art-loving or older kids, swap in Deji Art Museum for the "An Era in Jinling" exhibit.
- Midday (12:00 pm): Lunch inside Deji Plaza or Xinjiekou area ā plenty of family dining and nursing rooms.
- Afternoon (2:00 pm): Head out to Niushoushan Cultural Park if your kids are older and can handle a modern-but-cultural half-day (budget 30ā40 min transit each way). This also conveniently sits on the way back toward the hotel/airport, so you're not backtracking across the city.
- Evening: Head to the airport/station, or one more relaxed dinner near your hotel.
Notes for parents:
- This itinerary assumes a car/Didi-based day ā public transport with a stroller in summer heat isn't recommended.
- Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Yingyuetai are intentionally left off this itinerary ā they're skippable with young kids per the "Skip with Young Kids" verdict above.
- If traveling with a child under 3, consider dropping one historical stop entirely and visit a mall or just spend some more time at the parks (depending on season visiting).Ā
BYKidO Pro-Tips: Survival & Logistics Advice
- Do NOT Rely Solely on one payment App: Our mistake was that we only had Alipay. While Alipay handles ride-hailing and most payments smoothly, several local ticketing windows, vending machines, and mini-programs in Nanjing strictly require WeChat Pay. Link your foreign credit card to both apps before flying.
- Didi is Your Best Friend: The Metro is extremely convenient but traveling with strollers or tired kids in high humidity can lead to meltdowns. Use the Didi mini-program inside Alipay to call rides directly to venue drop-off points. Fares are remarkably cheap, typically ranging from 25 RMB to 70 RMB (approx. S$5 to S$14) per trip.
- Manage Walking Distances: Nanjing's historic sites are physically massive. Always pack a lightweight, compact stroller, and lean heavily on internal venue buggies or rentals whenever available.
- Google Translate or other Translation App: There isn't much English translation around, so if you have trouble with Chinese, you may want to have one of these Apps easily accessible to check road signs, speak to drivers or to make purchases.Ā
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