Nanjing, China | World’s Best Cities

Nanjing, China

Nanjing, the “Historic Heart of China,” served as the capital of six dynasties, and its 3,000-year history is etched into landmarks (ranked #45) like Purple Mountain, Xuanwu Lake, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Confucius Temple. Its sprawling and grand parks and green spaces rank #32 in our Nature & Parks subcategory. Nature and heritage blend seamlessly in Nanjing. The city’s Purple Mountain is a verdant oasis of trails and cultural sites, while Xuanwu Lake provides serene waterfronts amid bustling urban life. The Yangtze River, threading through the city, is both a lifeline and a picturesque backdrop.

But Nanjing isn’t content to rest on its laurels—it’s a city that consistently redefines itself.

Ranked #26 on the Prosperity index, Nanjing exemplifies economic vitality driven by software development and modern services. In 2024, the city unveiled an ambitious commercial aerospace initiative, aiming to dominate sectors like satellites and space exploration. This forward-looking strategy complements the 7,000 tech companies already flourishing here, nurtured by a talent pool of over four million. Nanjing’s GDP growth is staggering, surpassing US$117 billion in the first half of 2024 and earning it the #27 spot in GDP per Capita. Its unemployment rate, ranking #12, underscores a thriving job market that continues to attract young professionals.