City in Jiangsu, China
Nanjing for solo travelers
Is Nanjing good for solo travel?
A former capital of six dynasties with Ming walls, mausoleums, tree-lined avenues and a large university crowd. Quieter than Shanghai, cheaper and very walkable around the sights; hot summers and winter haze.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Safe and comfortable for solo women. Harassment is rare, including late at night. |
How to meet people in Nanjing
Hostels near Confucius Temple, student language exchanges around Nanjing University, a sizeable foreign-student community, and weekend cycling and running groups.
Good things to do alone
- Walk or cycle the Ming city wall
- See the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum in the morning
- Visit the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall; reserve ahead
- Eat duck blood soup and salted duck at Qinhuai
- Walk Purple Mountain's Meiling palace trail
Where to stay in Nanjing
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Xinjiekou | Central, malls, metro hub and hotels |
| Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) and Qinhuai | Tourist lanes, night views and local snacks |
| Gulou and Nanjing University | Cafés, bars and students; longer stays |
| Hexi | Modern business district with new apartments |
Solo travel across China
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | 5/5 | Limited |
| Beijing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Shanghai | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Xi'an | 4/5 | Limited |
| Chongqing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hangzhou | 4/5 | Limited |
| Yangshuo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lijiang | 4/5 | Limited |
| Xiamen | 4/5 | Limited |
| Dali | 4/5 | Limited |
| Huangshan | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kunming | 4/5 | Limited |
| Qingdao | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nanjing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Changsha | 4/5 | Limited |
| Pingyao | 4/5 | Rare |
| Dunhuang | 4/5 | Rare |
| Guilin | 3/5 | Limited |
| Shenzhen | 3/5 | Limited |
| Guangzhou | 3/5 | Limited |
| Zhangjiajie | 3/5 | Rare |
| Suzhou | 3/5 | Limited |
| Harbin | 3/5 | Limited |
| Sanya | 3/5 | Limited |
| Lhasa | 3/5 | Rare |
| Shangri-La | 3/5 | Rare |
| Jiuzhaigou | 3/5 | Rare |
| Kashgar | 3/5 | Rare |
| Wuhan | 3/5 | Limited |
| Tianjin | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Nanjing good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). A former capital of six dynasties with Ming walls, mausoleums, tree-lined avenues and a large university crowd.
How do you meet people in Nanjing?
Hostels near Confucius Temple, student language exchanges around Nanjing University, a sizeable foreign-student community, and weekend cycling and running groups. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Nanjing?
Limited.
Is Nanjing safe for solo female travelers?
Safe and comfortable for solo women. Harassment is rare, including late at night.
More about Nanjing
Going to Nanjing solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Nanjing meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.