Shanghai Side Trip to Nanjing

► Explore Confucian culture when visiting the Confucius Temple with nearly 1000 years of history.
► Take a walk along the Qinhuai River and listen to the stories about it. 
► Visit the historical Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum and the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum to learn Chinese history. 

This morning, you will take a high-speed train from Shanghai to Nanjing by yourself. Train tickets will be booked for you in advance and you only need to board the train with your original passport. The 1.5 hours train travel will not be boring when you appreciate the rural scenery outside. Upon arrival in Nanjing, you will be picked up by your tour guide and driver at the railway station. Your Nanjing tour from Shanghai formally begins. 

Your first stop is Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, where you can learn about the life of this great Chinese revolutionist. Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) was a great forerunner of the Chinese democratic revolution. With deep historical significance, magnificent architecture and beautiful scenery, the mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen is a must see for any Nanjing trips. 

► Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum has 392 steps to the top, so please be prepared for a little bit of walking. There are benches for you to sit on between the steps if you feel tired. When you get to the top, you will find it worth the visit. 

Then proceed to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, which has a history of more than 600 years. It is the joint mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (1328 - 1398) and his empress. Besides of imperial tombs and temples, the Sacred Way at the entrance is the other highlight with vivid stone statues of beasts as well as officials and generals on the two sides.

Next, you will continue to visit the Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao). This temple was constructed in 1034 for people to pay homage to the Confucius, a renowned ideologist during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 176 BC), and pray for good scores in the imperial examination. In front of the main hall stands a bronze statue of this great scholar which is the largest one in China with a height of four meters (13 feet). The beautiful Qinhuai River and bustling commercial streets nearby will make your trip more memorable. 

► Lots of boutiques and restaurants are around Confucius Temple. Wandering around, you will find various types of food catering for all tastes. Try local cuisines or just have a coffee break. Your local tour guide will be glad to give you advice. 

The whole day's trip will end here. Your Nanjing tour guide and driver will take you to the railway station to board a high-speed train back to Shanghai. If you have plan to other destinations, please contact your personal travel consultant.