Get outdoors · Nanjing, China
6 Outdoor Adventures Near Nanjing
Hikes, viewpoints and wild days out, all reachable from Nanjing without changing hotels.
Outdoor picks within 100 km of the city center, ranked by traveler review volume, 2 right in town. Distances computed from coordinates. Updated monthly.
Purple Mountain (Nanjing)
Park & nature6 km awayPurple Mountain, also known as Zijin Shan, is a sprawling nature and cultural park on the eastern edge of Nanjing.
Read our full guide →Xuanwu lake
Park & naturein the cityFree entryXuanwu Lake is a large freshwater lake located in the northeastern part of Nanjing, adjacent to the historic Ming City Wall.
Read our full guide →Zhan Garden (Nanjing)
Park & nature4 km awayZhan Garden, also known as the Garden of the Remaining Splendor, is a classical Chinese garden located near the Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) area in Nanjing.
Read our full guide →XuanWu Park
Park & naturein the cityFree entryXuanWu Park is a sprawling urban oasis in the heart of Nanjing, centered around the picturesque Xuanwu Lake.
Read our full guide →Qin Huai River
Park & nature5 km awayFree entryThe Qinhuai River is a cultural and scenic heart of Nanjing, winding through the historic Qinhuai District.
Read our full guide →Mochou Lake
Park & nature4 km awayMochou Lake is a tranquil urban park centered around a picturesque lake named after the legendary beauty Mochou, a folk heroine from the Southern Qi dynasty.
Read our full guide →
How we pick these
Outdoor and active spots around Nanjing — trails, viewpoints, water and adrenaline — ranked by real review volume out of the 37 places we track. Updated monthly.
Good to know
Some activities near Nanjing are weather- or season-dependent, so confirm they're running.
Popular tours and rentals sell out on weekends and holidays.
Bring layers and water; outdoor conditions shift faster than in the city.
Common questions
What outdoor activities are there in Nanjing?+
The list above covers the top-rated active things to do in and around Nanjing, from easy walks to bigger adventures.
Is Nanjing good for adventure travel?+
Yes — this page ranks the outdoor experiences visitors rate most highly.
Do you need to book activities in advance?+
Guided and equipment-based activities are best booked ahead, especially in peak season.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.