Book cheap flights to Nanjing

The best times to go to Nanjing fall between the main Chinese holidays, such as the Chinese Spring Festival (usually in late January or early February), International Labour Day (1-3 May) and National Day (1-7 October). These holidays are when Nanjing will be the most crowded. The Spring Festival takes place just before the spring season, which starts in March. During this season, you will experience warm and humid weather with a little rain. Accommodation availability is highest during the rainy season (June – July); however, July is the hottest month, with an average peak temperature of around 32°C. Besides bringing umbrellas, make sure to pack in light clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen, and drink plenty of water and consume more fruits and vegetables. Of course, no matter when you many choose to visit, you will always be captivated by this destination’s beauty.

South Africans need a visa to enter China. Make sure you leave plenty of time for visa processing. Your passport also needs to be valid for six months after your departure date and have two blank pages for entry stamps.

South African Embassy in China:

Address: 5 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Beijing, 100600

Phone: 86 8532 000

Fax: 86 10 6532 0180

Visit your doctor four to six weeks before you depart for China to get all the routine vaccinations. Some travellers may need vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and malaria.

Nanjing is one of the safest cities in China. You should stay cautious, however. Beware of pickpocketing at the Fuzimiao tourist attraction, as well as on crowded buses, the subway and around the main transport centres. You should also watch out for anyone attempting to sell counterfeit goods.

A good number of reputable hotels are scattered throughout Nanjing. Some feature pools, fitness centres, restaurants, pubs, free Wi-Fi and breakfast. In terms of cost, you’re looking at a price range of between ¥ 400 and ¥ 1 500.

If your plan is to stay for more than a few days, it would be worth your money to get a Jinlingtong (IC-tong) travel card. You can buy one at any metro station, most bus termini, or from any branch of the Huaxia Bank (find the information window that displays the letters ‘IC’. The card costs ¥ 73.50, and contains around ¥ 26 refundable deposit and around ¥ 50 credit. This card can be topped up at any of the locations mentioned above. You can use this card on the metro, all city buses (not suburban buses), cross-river ferries, taxis (some drivers may try to refuse) and at some Suguo convenience stores.

The cheapest option for transport is the metro, where you can enjoy discounts as low as under ¥ 2, while the most expensive option is the taxis, with most trips costing under ¥ 26.