Practical Tips

Nanjing is one of China's "four furnaces," a title well deserved, as it gets very hot and humid in the summer. Winters are cold with lots of rain and fog, the city actually seems to be constantly surrounded by fog. On the Purple Mountain it can get incredibly humid, though the temperature may not be high you'll still find yourself drenched in sweat. For some relief there are many trees, parks and lakes that make the heat more tolerable. Temperature wise, spring and autumn are the best times to visit. However, spring sees a lot more rain than autumn. If you come during Chinese New Year, make sure you check out the Jinling Lantern Show that's held on the streets near the Confucius Temple.