Nanjing Metro Travel Guide: Top Practical Tips

Hi, I’m Dalia Xu, a 30-year-old seasoned travel enthusiast with over a decade of travel experience. I have a passion for historical landmarks and boutique hotel reviews. Nanjing’s metro system, a sprawling transit network winding through the “Ancient Capital of the Six Dynasties” with its imperial palaces, ancient city walls, and serene water towns, is far more than a way to get around—it’s your gateway to exploring Jiangsu’s iconic historical and cultural beauty, from the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum’s grand architecture to the Confucius Temple’s bustling riverside charm, all while discovering unique hotel stays that embrace the city’s rich heritage and modern vitality.

With nine main metro lines (plus S-series suburban lines) connecting Nanjing’s urban core, historic districts, and key transportation hubs, the metro links imperial relics, classical gardens, and Yangtze River waterfronts in a seamless transit web. Whether you’re here to wander the stone paths of the Nanjing City Wall, admire the lotus flowers at Xuanwu Lake, or stay in a heritage hotel with courtyard views, the metro will guide you effortlessly. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the Nanjing Metro Map, highlight must-visit stations tied to historical landmarks and top hotels, and share tips to make your metro journey in Nanjing a memorable part of your Jiangsu travel adventure.

Nanjing Metro Map

Nanjing Metro Lines and Operating Hours

Nanjing Metro Line 1

• Route: Bajizhou Daqiaonan ↔ China Pharmaceutical University / Tianlongsi
• Terminal Stations: Bajizhou Daqiaonan, China Pharmaceutical University, Tianlongsi
• Operating Hours: 05:30 (Bajizhou Daqiaonan to China Pharmaceutical University) – 23:08; 05:30 (Bajizhou Daqiaonan to Tianlongsi) – 23:24; 05:47 (to Bajizhou Daqiaonan) – 23:27
• Top Attractions (Historical Landmarks & Hotel Hotspots):
  • Fuzimiao Station: Steps from the Confucius Temple-Fuzimiao Scenic Area, a historic riverside district with ancient architecture and Qinhuai River scenery; luxury hotels like The Ritz-Carlton Nanjing offer river-view rooms with views of the Confucius Temple’s lantern-lit streets.
  • Nanjing South Railway Station: A major transportation hub adjacent to modern commercial plazas; mid-range hotels like Holiday Inn Express Nanjing South Station provide convenient stays for transit travelers.
• Transportation Card Purchase: Available at station ticket offices, self-service machines, and mobile payment apps (Alipay, WeChat Pay, Nanjing Metro app); the Nanjing Tourism Card is also available for discounted rides and attraction tickets.

Nanjing Metro Line 2

• Route: Yuzui ↔ Jingtian Road
• Terminal Stations: Yuzui, Jingtian Road
• Operating Hours: 06:00 – 23:00 (both directions)
• Top Attractions (Historical Landmarks & Hotel Hotspots):
  • Ming Palace Station: Near the Ming Palace Ruins, the former imperial palace of the Ming Dynasty with ancient stone foundations and relics; boutique hotels like Nanjing Ming Palace Boutique Hotel blend traditional Chinese design with modern amenities.
  • Xuanwu Lake Station: Adjacent to Xuanwu Lake, a classical lake garden with willow-lined banks and pagodas; budget hotels like 7 Days Inn Nanjing Xuanwu Lake offer lake-view rooms at an affordable price.
• Transportation Card Purchase: Standard metro card, mobile payment, and UnionPay contactless cards all accepted; self-service machines at stations offer card top-up and ticket purchase.

Nanjing Metro Line 3

• Route: Linchang ↔ Zhoudong Road
• Terminal Stations: Linchang, Zhoudong Road
• Operating Hours: 05:40 (Linchang) – 23:10; 05:50 (Zhoudong Road) – 23:00
• Top Attractions (Historical Landmarks & Hotel Hotspots):
  • Jiming Temple Station: At the foot of Jiming Temple, a famous Buddhist temple dating back to the Southern Dynasties with ancient pagodas and cherry blossom-lined paths; heritage hotels like Nanjing Jiming Temple Hotel offer tranquil courtyard stays near the temple.
  • Nanjing Railway Station: A key transportation hub with access to the Yangtze River waterfront; mid-range hotels like Mercure Nanjing Railway Station cater to leisure and transit travelers.
• Transportation Card Purchase: Same as Line 1; tourist cards with combined transit and cultural site ticket discounts are recommended for history lovers.

Nanjing Metro Line 4

• Route: Longjiang ↔ Xianlinhu
• Terminal Stations: Longjiang, Xianlinhu
• Operating Hours: 06:00 – 23:00 (both directions)
• Top Attractions (Historical Landmarks & Hotel Hotspots):
  • Presidential Palace Station: Adjacent to the Presidential Palace, a historic complex that served as the office of China’s republican government with well-preserved buildings and gardens; luxury hotels like Sofitel Nanjing Galaxy offer elegant stays close to this iconic landmark.
  • Xianlin University Town Station: Near Nanjing University and other top academic institutions, with a youthful, vibrant atmosphere; budget hotels like Home Inn Nanjing Xianlin University Town are ideal for students and budget travelers.
• Transportation Card Purchase: Metro card, mobile payment, and UnionPay contactless payments all supported; student discounts available on metro cards with valid ID.

Nanjing Metro Line 5

• Route: Guyin Avenue ↔ Fangjiaying
• Terminal Stations: Guyin Avenue, Fangjiaying
• Operating Hours: 06:00 – 23:00 (both directions)
• Top Attractions (Historical Landmarks & Hotel Hotspots):
  • Mochou Lake Station: Near Mochou Lake Park, a classical garden with a legendary love story and lotus ponds; boutique hotels like Nanjing Mochou Lake Boutique Hotel feature garden-view rooms and traditional Chinese decor.
  • Jiangning Development Zone Station: A modern industrial and commercial area with easy access to Nanjing’s southern suburbs; business hotels like Courtyard by Marriott Nanjing Jiangning cater to corporate travelers.
• Transportation Card Purchase: Available at all Line 5 stations via ticket counters and self-service machines, mobile payment supported.

Nanjing Metro Line 7

• Route: Xixiapu ↔ Xianxin Road
• Terminal Stations: Xixiapu, Xianxin Road
• Operating Hours: 06:00 – 23:00 (both directions)
• Top Attractions (Historical Landmarks & Hotel Hotspots):
  • Qixia Temple Station: Near Qixia Temple, a renowned Buddhist temple famous for its autumn red leaves and ancient Buddhist grottoes; mountain resorts like Nanjing Qixia Scenic Area Resort offer peaceful stays amid forested hills.
  • Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Station: Adjacent to the university’s campus, with access to aerospace museums and modern research facilities; mid-range hotels like ibis Nanjing University Town cater to visitors and academics.
• Transportation Card Purchase: Same as Line 1; temple and scenic area combo tickets with metro fare discounts are available at station tourist centers.

Nanjing Metro Line 10

• Route: Andemen ↔ Yushan Road
• Terminal Stations: Andemen, Yushan Road
• Operating Hours: 05:40 (Andemen) – 23:00; 06:00 (Yushan Road) – 23:40
• Top Attractions (Historical Landmarks & Hotel Hotspots):
  • Andemen Station: A historic gate of the Nanjing City Wall with ancient fortifications and city views; heritage hotels like Nanjing City Wall Boutique Hotel offer stays with a view of the ancient wall.
  • Yushan Road Station: Near the southern suburbs of Nanjing, with access to rural landscapes and ancient villages; local homestays like Nanjing Yushan Rural Homestay provide a taste of Jiangsu’s countryside life.
• Transportation Card Purchase: Standard metro card and mobile payment options; separate tickets for suburban bus transfers to ancient villages available at stations.

Nanjing Metro S1 Line (Airport Line)

• Route: Konggang New City Jiangning ↔ Nanjing South Station
• Terminal Stations: Konggang New City Jiangning, Nanjing South Station
• Operating Hours: 06:00 (Konggang New City Jiangning) – 22:40; 06:57 (Nanjing South Station) – 22:40
• Top Attractions (Hotel Hotspots):
  • Nanjing Lukou International Airport Station: Direct access to the airport, with airport hotels like Novotel Nanjing Lukou Airport Hotel offering convenient stays for early-morning or late-night flights.
  • Nanjing South Station: A major transportation hub with connections to high-speed rail and downtown Nanjing; luxury hotels like InterContinental Nanjing South Station cater to business and transit travelers.
• Ticket Purchase: Separate Airport Line tickets available at airport and station counters, self-service machines, and mobile apps; metro cards also valid with fare deduction for the line.

Nanjing Metro S3 Line

• Route: Gaojiachong ↔ Nanjing South Station / Liucun
• Terminal Stations: Gaojiachong, Nanjing South Station, Liucun
• Operating Hours: 06:00 (Gaojiachong to Nanjing South Station) – 22:00; 06:00 (Nanjing South Station to Gaojiachong/Liucun) – 23:00; 06:00 (Nanjing South Station to Liucun) – 22:00
• Top Attractions (Historical Landmarks & Hotel Hotspots):
  • Hexi CBD Station: A modern business district with skyscrapers and Yangtze River views; luxury hotels like The St. Regis Nanjing offer river-view suites and five-star amenities.
  • Pukou Station: Near the Pukou Ancient Town, a historic riverside town with ancient streets and traditional Jiangnan architecture; boutique hotels like Nanjing Pukou Ancient Town Homestay blend old and new design.
• Transportation Card Purchase: Same as Line 1; river cruise and metro combo tickets are recommended for travelers wanting to explore the Yangtze River waterfront.

Nanjing Metro S6 Line

• Route: Mamu ↔ Jurong
• Terminal Stations: Mamu, Jurong
• Operating Hours: 06:00 (Mamu) – 22:05; 06:00 (Jurong) – 23:00
• Top Attractions (Historical Landmarks & Hotel Hotspots):
  • Baohua Mountain Station: Near Baohua Mountain, a sacred Buddhist mountain with ancient temples and forested trails; mountain resorts like Nanjing Baohua Mountain Scenic Area Resort offer stays amid natural and cultural beauty.
  • Jurong Station: A historic city with ancient city walls and traditional gardens; budget hotels like 7 Days Inn Nanjing Jurong cater to travelers exploring the suburban historical sites.
• Transportation Card Purchase: Metro card, mobile payment, and UnionPay contactless payments all supported; temple and mountain scenic area tickets available at station tourist counters.

Nanjing Metro S7 Line

• Route: Wuxiangshan ↔ Konggang New City Jiangning
• Terminal Stations: Wuxiangshan, Konggang New City Jiangning
• Operating Hours: 06:00 – 22:00 (both directions)
• Top Attractions (Natural & Historical Landmarks):
  • Lishui Station: Near Lishui District, known for its ancient water towns and ecological parks; eco-hotels like Nanjing Lishui Eco Resort offer stays close to nature and traditional Jiangnan water town scenery.
  • Konggang New City Jiangning Station: Connection to the S1 Airport Line, with access to modern aviation facilities and suburban green spaces; mid-range hotels like Holiday Inn Nanjing Konggang New City cater to transit and leisure travelers.
• Transportation Card Purchase: Same as Line 1; water town tour packages with metro fare discounts are available at station ticket offices.

Nanjing Metro S8 Line

• Route: Changjiang Dabeijiang ↔ Jinniuhu / Fangzhou Square
• Terminal Stations: Changjiang Dabeijiang, Jinniuhu, Fangzhou Square
• Operating Hours: 06:00 (Changjiang Dabeijiang to Jinniuhu) – 22:00; 05:55 (Changjiang Dabeijiang to Fangzhou Square) – 22:40
• Top Attractions (Historical Landmarks & Hotel Hotspots):
  • Luhe Station: Near Luhe Ancient Town, a historic district with Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture and traditional snack streets; local homestays like Nanjing Luhe Ancient Town Homestay offer an authentic Jiangnan living experience.
  • Jinniuhu Station: Adjacent to Jinniu Lake, a scenic lake with water sports and mountain backdrops; lake-view resorts like Nanjing Jinniu Lake Resort are perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway.
• Transportation Card Purchase: Standard metro card and mobile payment options; lake tour and metro combo tickets available at stations.

Nanjing Metro S9 Line

• Route: Gaochun ↔ Xiangyu Road South
• Terminal Stations: Gaochun, Xiangyu Road South
• Operating Hours: 06:00 – 22:00 (both directions)
• Top Attractions (Natural & Historical Landmarks):
  • Gaochun Station: Near Gaochun Old Street, a well-preserved ancient street with traditional Jiangnan shops and architecture; boutique hotels like Nanjing Gaochun Old Street Boutique Hotel offer stays in a historic setting.
  • Shijiu Lake Station (Transfer): Near Shijiu Lake, a wetland lake with migratory birds and lotus fields; eco-friendly hotels like Nanjing Shijiu Lake Eco Hotel provide a tranquil stay amid nature.
• Ticket Purchase: Metro card, mobile payment, and UnionPay contactless payments all supported; wetland park and metro combo tickets recommended for nature enthusiasts.