There are some good paths for running along the Yangtze River in Nanjing, primarily in the Gulou and Jianye districts. There are nearly 20 km of paths, from the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge in the north to Nanjing Yuzui Wetland Park in the south. There are some very scenic sections with river views and lush parks. Notes: It’s a combination of cycle paths and pedestrian paths, it’s not 100% seamless, and there are a couple of less pleasant sections around busy road interchanges. 

Notes on some of the sections: Some of the best sections (from north to south): 

  • KM 0-7: Yangtze River Bridge to Nanjing Treasure Shipyard Relic Site Park. A nice section with some wide river views.
  • KM 7-10: Nanjing Treasure Shipyard Relic Site Park to Wanjing Park. Some nice parts right along the water. 
  • KM 10-14: Wanjng Park to Zhongguolvhua Expo Park. This stretch is along the smaller Jiajiang River, just west of Victory Memorial Hall. Beautifully landscaped paths, and in the Expo Park, the paths are more interior, with beautiful flowers in Netherlands Park and Left Bank Sea of Flowers. Nice views of Jiangxinzhou river island. 
  • Km 15-20: Nanjing International Youth Culture Park to Nanjing Yuzui Wetland Pk. This south section in Hexi features lovely greenery, especially in the wetland parks. PRO TIP: Lovely at sunset. 
    • ADD-ON: At Nanjing International Youth Culture Park, there’s the spectacular Nanjingyan Footbridge that crosses the river to Jiangxinzhou Island, with some nice paths around Youth Olympic Sports Park and along the river extending north and south.