You may have already experienced the charm of Nanjing during the daytime. But I bet you will be amazed by the night of Nanjing, too. When the neon lights are on at night, the streets and buildings are showing their unique styles of different times. From the south to the east, let’s follow the path from the past to modern life.
Night Cruise · Qinhuai River
If you have never visited Qinhuai River, you may not say you have been to Nanjing. As early as the Six Dynasties, Qinhuai River was the prosperous place where businessmen and literati gather. Because of this, there are many legacies of pavilions, buildings, ancient alleys and streets, etc. Today, with Fuzimiao as the center, Qinhuai River connects Zhan Garden, Bailuzhou, Zhonghua Gate and other scenic spots along the bank, forming the Qinhuai River Scenic Area. To be honest, the cultural relics and scenery people see along the Qinhuai River are a little bit too solemn. If you really want to experience the charm here, the best way is to take a night cruise on the river.
The night cruise on Qinghuai River heads to a classic route: board on Banchi Ferry Pier at Fuzimiao, go eastward and pass by Shui Street, Taoye Ferry, and reach Zhenhuai Bridge at Zhonghua Gate before returning to Fuzimiao. Compared with the view during the daytime, what you see when taking a boat at night will be more gentle and charming. As mentioned, the boat will pass by Zhan Garden, which is the oldest garden in Nanjing. The light decorations at night will further reveal the Jiangnan style of this 600-year-old classical garden. Sitting on the deck in the night breeze, the past and the present intermingle in front of your eyes, dragging you back to the prosperous days when people of this land celebrate, sing, dance, and compose poems for the sentiments of life.
Night Reading · Fenghuangyun Bookshop
Compared with the hustle and bustle of the 1912 Block, some people may prefer a quiet and peaceful night. If so, a visit to Fenghuangyun Bookshop would be a great choice to unveil the different “look” of Nanjing at night. Fenghuangyun Bookshop, which is not far away from Xuanwu Lake, opens for 24 hours. The glass walls adopted makes the shop look clean and transparent. At night, the warm and yellow light gives the atmosphere of warmth. In the shop, there are over 20,000 books. The space is designed to be simple and elegant with the arrangements of wood tables, chairs, soft lights, and green plants. You will feel assured in the shop and the only thing you want to do will be to pick up a book and start reading.
Apart from reading, there will be many kinds of cultural and creative products displayed and for sell in Fenghuangyun Bookshop, as well as events like Literature Salon, Mid-night Face-to-face Book Sharing, etc. The concept of integrate “reading+life” is emphasized this way. Here, regardless of time, as long as you want, you can relax your body and mind even during the middle of the quiet night when the rest of the world is sleeping.
The charm of Nanjing does not fade away after the sunset. Instead, this ancient city is even more dazzling in the neon lights at night by continuously integrating the classical and the modern elements. You will find shopping, gym, food, accommodation and many other fun activities and services available during the night in Nanjing and we are always ready to explore and unveil more.
