If China was giving out awards for the best-looking cities, then Nanjing would definitely be on the podium. It’s a vast modern city, with over nine million people calling it home, yet it effortlessly blends a deep-rooted respect for its heritage alongside cosmopolitan, shiny skyscrapers. There are temples, memorials and mausoleums dotted across the city paying homage to the past, while modern engineering feats, like the double-decker Nanjing Yangtze Bridge, show off its forward-thinking, innovative side. There’s plenty of natural wonder here, too. There are mountains to the south and east, forests and parks, plus the Yangtze River sweeps through the city. For thousands of years, the river has made Nanjing – which literally means southern capital – the place to be for trade and commerce. It’s served as the country’s capital through ten Chinese dynasties over 1,800 years and its hefty helping of museums and monuments make it a joy to unpack the city’s heritage and history.

Top three things to do in Nanjing:

1. Check out the Purple Mountain Scenic Area

This is the place for a fix of history in a scenic setting that’s hard to beat. It’s a large, forested area with three must-see landmarks, Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, and Linggu Temple. The Xiaoling Mausoleum, the resting place of the founder of the Ming Dynasty, is a top pick. It’s a 14th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s steeped in ancient symbolism. There’s plenty of great photo ops on the sacred pathway leading up to it, lined with stone animal sculptures.

2. Catch a local festival

Nanjing is known for hosting spectacular festivals and whichever season you’re visiting in, there’s sure to be one to catch. In June, the Dragon Boat Festival takes over Mochou Lake Park with colourfully decorated wooden boats racing as part of one of China’s oldest traditions. If you’re around in February or March, you could see the Qinhuai International Lantern Festival, where hundreds of thousands of red lanterns illuminate the Confucius Temple area to pray for peace, happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.

3. Tuck into the regional cuisine

From street food to fancy gourmet restaurants, you’ll find plenty of choice for food in Nanjing. With the Yangtze River close by, crops have always thrived here, allowing an abundance of food no matter the season. But there’s one dish that stands out as the must-try on any local menu – Nanjing salted duck. Served cold in tender slices, it makes a morish snack or starter and even comes vacuum packed to take an authentic taste of Nanjing home.