The Sifang Art Museum sits at the entrance to the Sifang Parkland, designed by New York architect Steven HolI. It was shortlisted for the Leading Culture Destinations 2015 awards, also dubbed the "Oscars for museums”.
The exhibitions are mainly Western and Chinese contemporary art. The galleries are floating on the two-story black concrete base. From the top floor, you will see a view towards Nanjing's city skyline.
Nanjing cuisine is a branch of the Huaiyang cuisine, tends to be lightly sweet and nothing is spicy. Nanjing is also considered as China’s “duck capital” as Nanjing people are enthusiastic about duck. Boiled salted ducks, braised ducks and roast duck are all local favorites. Salted duck in Plum Garden tastes juicy and not overly salty, but with pure duck flavor. In addition, sweet osmanthus and taro soup is mouthwatering as famous local food. You will fall in love with soft and smooth taro with a strong osmanthus fragrance.
Ma Xiang Xing is the first Muslim restaurant in Nanjing, and it has been continuously in business for over 170 years. Signature dishes include Egg Shaomai, sweet and sour squirrel-shaped Mandarin fish and phoenix-tailed prawns are must order. Egg Shaomai is wrapped in an egg dumpling which is quite special, and the filling is freshly mixed shrimp and fish. Take a bit, you will taste the juice inside.
Critically-acclaimed vegetarian restaurant Lu Liu Ju (also called Lv Liu Ju) has been a long-standing institution in the city of Nanjing. First opening its doors in 1921, Lu Liu Ju’s commitment to green-friendly food may have roots in its stunning name. In Chinese characters, Lu Liu Ju roughly translates into ‘Green Willows’ – likely borne out of its first location at the Qinhai waterfront under beautiful weeping willow trees. These days, Lu Liu Ju has set down roots in the ever-bustling Hanfu Food Square right across the Nanjing Presidential Hall though its menu remains beloved by both foreigners and locals alike. Enjoy all of your delicious regional favorites, made vegetarian-friendly by replacing any and all meat with savory silken tofu. We highly recommend their signature steamed vegetable dumplings, which sell by the thousands per day!
Love the deep flavors of Peking Duck but find it too fatty? Nanjing Duck has multiple preparation methods, while still retaining all the deep, aromatic flavors sans the rich fattiness that can sometimes be a bit much for diners. Nanjing Duck dishes are much leaner, making it a lighter choice for those with particular diet restrictions or those that want a break from the oiliness of Peking Duck specialties in the capital. Pay a visit to any of Nanjing Impressions’ many branches in the city for an atmosphere that screams of culture and heritage while serving up delectable food. Nanjing Impressions is a must-visit for tourists due to the quality of food that even locals have long come to love.
Explore this high-end multi-brand cosmetics boutique and admire its elegant design by DOMANI. The store’s four floors color palette is inspired by Wang Xiaobo's novel The Green-Haired Sea Monster, featuring green customized glass tile interiors. These glass tiles are baked until they reach a stable coloring of cool green with a reflective gold sheen that’s reminiscent of sparkling sea waves. Fish belly-shaped staircases complement the aquatic theme and lead customers up to the different floors selling high-quality skincare products and perfumes. Wave-shaped shelves display boxes and bottles of these precious cosmetics along with art pieces. Photos by Minjie Wang.
Follow a yellow-striped road to an underground parking lot near Nanjing University and you’ll find yourself in one of China’s most beautiful bookstores. Librairie Avant-Garde was started by Qian Xiaohua in 1999 and has been a haven for bibliophiles in Nanjing. Visitors are greeted by a replica of Rodin’s sculpture of “The Thinker” upon entering. Old books make up the cashier counter and there are seats where readers can sit down and enjoy a good book. Aside from having the vibe of a bookstore and library, Librarie Avant-Garde also displays beautiful book designs and hosts creative workshops.
Opening Hours: 10 AM - 9 PM on weekdays, 10 AM - 10 PM on weekends
With elegant architecture designed by Zaha Hadid and just by the iconic Nanjing Eye bridge, Jumeirah Nanjing is one of the best hotels in the city where travelers can experience China in style and comfort. Enjoy luxuriously-furnished rooms with all the things you need to have a great stay. Head up to the 63rd floor to take a dip in the infinity pool and admire the gorgeous waterfront views of the Yangtze River. And then dine in any of the hotel’s restaurants and lounges. We recommend having a sunset tea ceremony at Cha Jie to cap off your day at Nanjing.
This is one of Nanjing’s latest cultural attractions, having just opened in 2015. It’s a modern Buddhist temple complex that blends Buddhist spirituality with 21st century modern art and design. Split into 3 main parts, visitors are sure to have plenty of opportunities to experience and photograph the park’s many quirky Buddha-themed spots. Head to the Usnisa Palace to marvel at the reclining Buddha statue housed under a latticework dome. Take a few escalator rides down and be surrounded by thousands of Buddha carvings in the aptly-named Ten Thousand Buddha Corridor at Usnisa Hall. Head deeper underground and you’ll find yourself in the Thousand Buddha Hall where marble and crystal decorations sparkle among the serene Buddha statues dotting the entire hall chamber. Finally, head outside to walk in the sprawling gardens and climb the nine-tiered Usnisa Pagoda for a spectacular view of the entire park.