Welcome to Nanjing, a city where traditional charm meets modern convenience! For international travelers planning travel to China, Nanjing’s shopping malls are perfect for experiencing local life, enjoying delicious food, and finding unique souvenirs. This Best China Travel Itinerary 2026 is designed as a 2-day shopping-focused trip, covering the most popular and distinctive malls in Nanjing,<strong>china</strong><strong>china travel</strong> tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable </strong>.
Whether you’re a fashion lover, a food enthusiast, or a casual shopper, this 2-day itinerary will help you make the most of your shopping adventure in Nanjing—no rushing, just fun and relaxation!
Itinerary Overview (2 Days)
We’ve selected 6 top malls, divided into 2 days by location (Xinjiekou Business District & Downtown/Suburban Malls) to save travel time. This route balances shopping, dining, and entertainment, tailored specifically for foreign visitors:
- Day 1: Xinjiekou Business District (Deji Plaza → Nanjing Xinbai Department Store → Golden Eagle International Shopping Center → Central Mall)
- Day 2: Downtown & Suburban Malls (Pengxin Water City → Nanjing Jianye Wanda Plaza)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Xinjiekou Business District – The Heart of Nanjing Shopping
Xinjiekou is Nanjing’s core business district, where most top malls gather—convenient for shopping and<strong</strong> shopping spree. It’s easily accessible by subway, making it ideal for a day of non-stop fun.
Morning: Deji Plaza (10:00 – 12:30)
As Nanjing’s most modern and popular mall, Deji Plaza is a one-stop destination for shopping, entertainment, and dining—perfect for<strong>travel to</strong> shopping list. It boasts a wide range of stores, from international luxury brands to local specialty shops, catering to all tastes and budgets.
The food court offers cuisines from all over the world, whether you’re craving authentic Chinese dishes or Western favorites. The amusement area is a hit with kids, and the cinema screens the latest movies for a relaxing break. Deji Plaza is especially lively at night, with bright lights attracting both tourists and locals. Notably, it is one of Nanjing’s 158 tax-free stores, offering "buy-now-refund-now" service for foreign visitors to facilitate tax refund procedures.
- Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 daily
- Address: No. 18 Zhongshan Road, Changjiang Road Community, Xinjiekou Street, Xuanwu District, Nanjing
- Tip: Allocate more time here if you love luxury shopping—this mall has the most international brands in Nanjing.
Midday: Nanjing Xinbai Department Store (12:30 – 14:30)
A short walk from Deji Plaza, Nanjing Xinbai is a traditional department store with a long history and a loyal local customer base. Its elegant interior design and rich variety of goods (clothing, shoes, cosmetics, home supplies) offer a unique offline shopping experience that online shopping can’t match.
Most stores here are well-known brands, ensuring quality and reasonable prices. It’s a great place to experience traditional Chinese department store culture and find practical daily items.
- Opening Hours: 10:30 – 18:00 daily
- Address: No. 1 South Zhongshan Road (near Metro Xinjiekou Station, Exits 8, 9, 10, 12, 22)
- Tip: Try local snacks in the mall’s food area for a quick and delicious lunch.
Afternoon: Golden Eagle International Shopping Center (14:30 – 16:30)
One of Nanjing’s first high-end malls, Golden Eagle International is located in the southeast of Xinjiekou. Although its single-store sales are not as high as Deji Plaza, it has many branches across China, forming a strong commercial network. The Xinjiekou branch consists of two buildings (A and B), with complete facilities including shopping, hotels, and restaurants.
The mall has an elegant and orderly environment, with a wide range of fashion boutiques, international brands, and gourmet restaurants. It’s a great place to relax and shop in a comfortable atmosphere.
- Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 daily
- Address: No. 89 Hanzhong Road
- Transportation: 465m from Metro Line 2 Shanghai Road · Jiangsu Provincial Hospital Station
Evening: Central Mall (Xinjiekou Store) (16:30 – 19:00)
Located in the bustling downtown area, Central Mall is a large comprehensive mall integrating shopping, entertainment, and dining. With the rise of online shopping, it has a more leisurely shopping atmosphere, attracting visitors who love nostalgia and unique shopping experiences.
The mall has a modern design and reasonable floor layout, with a wide variety of stores from fashion clothing to electronic products. There are also many restaurants and cafes for rest and relaxation. Note that some niche products (such as old mechanical rice cookers) may be hard to find, as the home appliance area has moved to a corner on the 5th floor.
- Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 daily
- Address: No. 79 South Zhongshan Road, Qinhuai District, Nanjing
- Transportation: 302m from Y24 Night Bus Xinjiekou East Station
Evening: Relax & Dinner
After a day of shopping, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant near Xinjiekou. Try Nanjing’s famous dishes like Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup and Salted Duck, then take a leisurely walk to experience the night view of the business district—perfect for ending<strong</strong> in Nanjing.
Day 2: Downtown & Suburban Malls – Unique Experiences
On the second day, we’ll visit two distinctive malls outside the core business district, offering unique designs and diverse experiences—adding more fun to<strong>Best China Travel Itinerary 2</strong>.
Morning: Pengxin Water City (10:00 – 13:00)
Located in the downtown area, Pengxin Water City is a large shopping center integrating catering, cinemas, clothing, and luxury goods. Its unique design elements make it unforgettable—perfect for photos and a relaxing shopping experience.
It attracts many customers to buy new clothes every season, and also has a medium-sized game hall for extra entertainment. Whether you want to enjoy delicious food, watch the latest movies, or buy fashionable clothes, Pengxin Water City can meet all your needs in one stop. It’s also a great place for the whole family to enjoy a fun day out.
- Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 daily
- Address: No. 1 Jiankang Road, Qinhuai District, Nanjing
- Transportation: 647m from Metro Line 1 Sanshan Street · Industrial and Commercial Bank Station
Afternoon: Nanjing Jianye Wanda Plaza (13:30 – 18:00)
A modern mall integrating shopping, entertainment, and dining, Nanjing Jianye Wanda Plaza is located in a prosperous area of Nanjing. It has a wide range of brands, including international well-known brands and local specialty stores, meeting the needs of different consumers.
Notably, the mall’s Treasure Heritage Home Furnishing Store is famous for its unique Chinese-style furniture designs, combining traditional Chinese elements with modern design. The furniture has soft lines and exquisite wood craftsmanship, covering living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and studies—offering a variety of choices for customers. It’s not only a shopping paradise but also an ideal place to experience a modern lifestyle.
- Opening Hours: 09:30 – 22:00 (Sunday); 10:00 – 22:00 (Monday-Thursday); 10:00 – 22:30 (Friday-Saturday)
- Address: No. 98 Jiangdong Middle Road, Jianye District, Nanjing
- Transportation: 980m from Metro Line 2 Jiqingmen Street Station
Essential Travel Tips for Foreigners
China US Travel Alert & China Travel Warning
For a safe and smooth<strong>travel to China</strong>, please pay attention<strong></strong<strong>china</strong> tips<strong</strong>, ensure you have a valid passport and Chinese visa. Check the latest entry requirements and travel advisories from both the Chinese and US governments.
- Nanjing is generally a safe city for foreign travelers, but keep your valuables (passport, wallet, phone) secure, especially in crowded malls and public transportation. Follow local safety tips to avoid potential risks.
- Use licensed transportation services (subway, official taxis, Didi—China’s ride-hailing app) to avoid unregulated vehicles.
- If you encounter any problems, contact your embassy or consulate, or ask mall staff for help—most large malls have English-speaking staff.
General Shopping Tips for Foreigners
- Tax Refund: Nanjing has 158 tax-free stores, including Deji Plaza, which offer "buy-now-refund-now" service for foreign visitors. You can get tax refund on eligible purchases easily, and multi-language tax refund guides are available in these stores to help you understand the process clearly.
- Payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely accepted in all malls. Carry some cash (Chinese Yuan) for small stores or street stalls that may not accept mobile payments.
- Language: Most mall staff speak limited English. Download Google Translate with offline Chinese packs or use WeChat’s translation tool to communicate easily.
- Transportation: Nanjing’s subway system is convenient and covers all the malls in this itinerary. Buy a metro card at the station for easy travel.
- Shopping Discounts: During holidays or festivals, many malls offer discounts and promotions. You can ask staff about the latest offers to get better deals.
Final Thoughts
This 2-day shopping itinerary Best China Travel Itinerary for foreigners who want to experience Nanjing’s modern side through shopping, dining, and entertainment. It covers the most popular and distinctive malls, with a reasonable pace that won’t make you feel rushed.