Live Your Best Lives
No other city embraces such cultural inclusiveness as this one. Here, you can wander among ancient buildings one moment, then drift into the bustling Ming, Qing, and Republican eras the next, and finally find yourself in a modern metropolis the next. It's a blend of the ancient, the retro, and the fresh. Whether you're wearing Hanfu or cheongsam, this city doesn't reject you; it actually enhances your beauty. Let's go to Nanjing to see it at its most beautiful.
From an abandoned mine to a sacred Buddhist site, I've long admired Niu Shou Mountain, a renowned mountain in Japan. Now, experiencing its beauty in person, I'm filled with joy. From afar, the two peaks, facing each other in the east and west, resemble ox horns, earning the name Niu Jiao Mountain.
Niu Shou Mountain is 248 meters high. Although the mountain is not high, it has its own spirituality and fairy air. Every spring, local people come here for an outing and have fun, so it has the beautiful name of "Spring Niu Shou".
The entire Niu Shou Mountain Scenic Area is very large and includes many attractions. If you want to visit them one by one, it may take a whole day. To save time, you can choose to visit only the core area, the Buddha's Crown Palace.
A reminder: you need to scan your ID card to enter the scenic area, so bring it with you in advance. In addition, if you have limited physical strength, it is recommended to buy the sightseeing bus up the mountain together with the ticket. The bus can take you to the foot of the Buddha's Head Palace, which can save a lot of physical strength.
If you look closely, you will find that the exterior architecture of the entire Buddha's Crown Palace is divided into two parts: the large and small domes. The wavy and curvaceous one is the large dome, which looks like a cassock covering the small dome.
The small dome is even more exquisite, with a Mani Pearl shape on top and a lotus throne below, creating a sacred picture of "lotus holding treasures".
Don't think the Buddha's Head Palace is just beautiful from the outside; the interior will definitely dazzle you. The Buddha's Head Palace consists of the Zen Grand View and the Underground Palace. To reach both areas, you need to take the downward escalator.
Let me tell you in secret, this dome is amazing. Because of the light-transmitting film and lighting, it can simulate the early morning glow, the midday sun, the evening glow and the silvery moonlight.
The sight moves downwards, finally landing on a pure white WF. If you look closely, you'll notice it's slowly moving – it can rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to admire its serene face and state of mind from every angle.
After bidding farewell to the Grand Zen View, we continued to take the escalator downwards and soon arrived at the Relic Hall and the Relic Palace, which are the holy places where the Buddha's skull relics are treasured.
Unlike the Zen Grand View, this one is magnificent and visually more stunning. Due to the high ceilings and exquisite architecture on all sides, you have to tilt your head back and keep moving to appreciate this 360-degree magnificent building.
Here are a few great camera angles: one is the reflection of the water directly in front of the Buddha's Head Palace; the other is the European-style corridor under the small dome...
Tips:
Scenic spot name: Niu Shou Mountain Cultural Tourism Area
Opening hours: 8:30-17:00
Ticket price: 88 yuan
Detailed address: No. 18, Ningdan Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province Note: Remember to bring your ID card
When you first arrive in Nanjing, a visit to Confucius Temple is a must. A sacred site dedicated to Confucius, it also houses China's first national university and a hub of ancient Chinese culture. Confucius Temple is to Nanjing what the Forbidden City is to Beijing and the Bund is to Shanghai; both are iconic tourist destinations.
Located in the core area of the Confucius Temple Qinhuai Scenic Area, the Confucius Temple comprises three main architectural complexes: the Confucius Temple, the Imperial Academy, and the Imperial Examination Hall. As you follow the throngs of people to the Qinhuai River, where the crowds gather, you arrive at the Confucius Temple. Near the riverside stands a tall memorial archway with four characters inscribed on it: "The Literary Hub of the World." These four simple words convey a powerful and assertive spirit.
Behind the "World's Literary Hub" archway is the "Lingxing Gate", on which is embedded a brick relief of peonies, and the column capitals are carved with auspicious clouds... Did you know that in the past, this gate was the passage for emperors to go on pilgrimages and worship Confucius, but now, ordinary people can also come and go freely and chat and laugh!
Passing through Lingxing Gate, you'll arrive at the Dacheng Gate of Confucius Temple. Don't underestimate this gate; it's a place of great significance. The middle gate is Dacheng Gate, also known as Ji Gate. Not everyone can enter or exit this gate freely.
During pilgrimages on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month and during spring and autumn festivals, only prefectural and county officials and instructors could enter through here, while scholars could only use the Jingmen Gate on either side. Like Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Gate is now open to welcome visitors from all corners of the world.
After entering the Dacheng Gate, you will find the words "ritual" and "benevolence" written on the walls on both sides, which are the two core points of Confucius' thoughts.
Continue walking forward and you will see a group of stone statues. At the end of your sight is the Dacheng Hall, which is the main hall of the Confucius Temple.
Entering the Dacheng Hall, you're greeted by a portrait of Confucius, clasping his hands in a bow. This portrait is the largest in China, and is surrounded by replicas of ancient musical instruments used in Confucius rituals. If you're lucky, you might even hear the sounds of bells and drums.
The Confucius Temple is a layout with the temple in front and the school in the back. After passing the Dacheng Hall, it is the Xue Palace. Guests are crowded in front of the gate of the "First School in Southeast China".
Walking in and looking around, the overall building is elegant, symmetrical and rigorous, truly a leader among classical architectures.
Behind it lies the Zunjing Pavilion, home to the China Academy History Exhibition Hall and the Confucius Temple Folk Art Grand View Garden. If you're interested in the history of academies, this is a must-see. While the exhibition hall is small, it's well-equipped for its needs. A stroll through it will teach you a great deal about academy history.
Confucius Temple is not only a place of nostalgia, but also a food street. The snacks here are so diverse that it's dizzying. You can try the old duck vermicelli soup.
I recommend Lao Shengqing's, which is located on Wuyi Lane. It's relatively remote and has a very good value for money. The 26.8 yuan set meal includes a vermicelli soup, four pieces of stinky tofu, and a duck oil pastry.
Tips:
Attraction name: Confucius Temple
Opening hours: 09:00-22:00
Ticket price: 30 yuan (Dacheng Hall)
Detailed address: No. 80-1, Gongyuan Street, Qinhuai District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province
An ordinary river, an extraordinary destiny. "A place of mist and moonlight during the Six Dynasties, a gathering place of gold and powder," this is the ten-mile-long Qinhuai River! The Qinhuai River is Nanjing's mother river and China's most famous historical river... Amidst the sounds of oars and lanterns, the river sways not only with romance, but also with the pure hearts of children.
The Qinhuai River originates from the Jurong and Lishui Rivers and is divided into two branches: one branch passes through the Jiulong Bridge and enters Nanjing City from the Dongshuiguan Pass, which is the Inner Qinhuai River, also known as the Ten-Li Qinhuai River; the other branch goes from Tongji Gate through Zhonghua Gate and bypasses the city, which is the Outer Qinhuai River, and is also the moat.
It truly is China's most historic river. The sheer volume of visitors is endless, shoulder to shoulder... I haven't seen such a dense concentration of human activity in over a year, and it's truly something to celebrate. After waiting in the crowd for ages, I finally found a vacant spot and rushed over. The only thing I saw before me was no longer a crowd of people, but pleasure boats chugging back and forth on the water.
As the saying goes, "If you give me a plum, I will give you a peach in return." This river, in turn, decorates the dreams of scholars and the windows of beauties... The dry human activities have become more poetic and picturesque because of the nourishment of the river.
Tips:
Attraction name: Confucius Temple Qinhuai River Scenic Belt
Opening hours: 24 hours
Ticket price: Free
Detailed address: Qinhuai River Scenic Area, Confucius Temple, Qinhuai District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province
Note: There are so many people here, please take care of your valuables when taking pictures
When talking about Nanjing, the term "Republic of China style" is always mentioned. As we all know, Nanjing is a city with a strong Republican style, and the key to unlocking this Republican style is the Republican-era buildings.
Among the numerous buildings of the Republic of China, the Presidential Palace is the main representative. If you count carefully, the Presidential Palace has a history of more than 600 years. In the early Ming Dynasty, it was the Guide Marquis Mansion and the Hanwang Mansion. In the Qing Dynasty, it was opened as the Jiangning Weaving Office, the Liangjiang Governor-General's Office, etc. When Kangxi and Qianlong went to the south of the Yangtze River, they both used this place as a temporary palace.
The Presidential Palace has both the traditional Chinese Jiangnan garden style and modern Western architectural relics.
The Presidential Palace is divided into three major areas: the central area is mainly the Presidential Palace and its affiliated agencies; the western area is the Office of the Provisional President, the Secretariat, the West Garden, etc.; the eastern area is mainly the Executive Yuan, the Taolin Ergong Temple, etc.
In order to avoid crowds as much as possible, it is recommended to stroll along the west central axis, where there are Xuyuan, Fangsheng Pavilion, Yilan Pavilion, Shifang, etc.
Xuyuan is a Jiangnan garden named after the character "xu" (xu) in the name of Zhu Gaoxu, the Prince of Han. In January 1912, the office and living quarters of the Provisional President were located within Xuyuan.
Yilan Pavilion is located in the middle of the water, connected to the shore by a stone bridge. In the past, the secret room of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was located here.
A stone boat, also known as an untied boat, is built from 10 layers of giant bluestone and is quite common in Jiangnan cities. Although built of stone, the boat retains the beauty of its curved outline.
In addition to these buildings, there is also a tall hydrangea hidden in the courtyard facing the water. The buds are blooming exceptionally lively and beautifully in this season. In addition, there are green tiles and white walls on the left and the reflection of the lake on the right, which attracts people to come here to take pictures. It can be said to be the new internet celebrity of the Presidential Palace.
Tips:
Attraction name: Presidential Palace
Opening hours: 8:30-18:00
Ticket price: 35 yuan
Detailed address: No. 292, Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province
Note: There are so many people here, please take care of your valuables when taking photos; also, remember to wear a mask.
For Chinese people, 1912 is not unfamiliar. It is a special year when many major historical events took place. For example, Nanjing became the capital of the Republic of China in this year, thus laying the foundation for the Republican style that emanates from the city of Nanjing from the inside out.
"Originally the Presidential Palace, now the city's living room," welcome to the 1912 Block. After exiting the Presidential Palace, walk west along Changjiang Road for 200 meters and you'll arrive at the 1912 Block.
1912 is to Nanjing what Tianzifang is to Shanghai, Nanluoguxiang to Beijing, and Kuanzhai Alley to Chengdu. They are all urban cultural and commercial districts with very important significance.
The 1912 District, comprised of nine buildings in the style of the Republic of China, may seem small, but it's still a bit strenuous to navigate. Strolling through the 1912 District, you'll find yourself surrounded by a sea of gray and brick-red Republican-era buildings.
As you walk, you will see a cute little train around the corner, along with the stained glass on the door, the ivy on the wall, the English names in front of the window, etc. It is full of literary and retro atmosphere.
The 1912 block is home to a variety of restaurants and shops, such as KFC, Honggongguan, Nanjing Dapaidang, and various bars.
In addition to various restaurants and shops, there is also a creative market selling cute little commodities, such as perfumes, small accessories, small dolls, etc.
The 1912 Historical and Cultural District is right at the entrance of Changjiang Road, opposite Daxinggong Station on Metro Line 2. It is very convenient to get to. It is recommended to visit it on the same day as the Presidential Palace.
Tips:
Attraction name: 1912 Block
Opening hours: 24 hours
Ticket price: Free
Detailed address: No. 8 Changjiang Back Street, Xuanwu District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province
Want to continue admiring Republican-era architecture and experiencing the art and culture of the period? Don't miss the former National Art Gallery on Changjiang Road. Located at 266 Changjiang Road, the National Art Gallery, built in 1936 as China's first national art museum, was renamed the Jiangsu Provincial Art Museum in 1960.
Did you know that this museum was a hard-won achievement? At the beginning of the Republic of China, there were no art museums in China. It was thanks to the tireless efforts of cultural giants like Lu Xun and Cai Yuanpei, as well as renowned painters like Xu Beihong and Liu Haisu, that the National Museum of Fine Arts came into being.
Arriving at the main building of the National Museum of Fine Arts, the simple, elegant, and majestic "mountain"-shaped structure before me was awe-inspiring. It was a good opportunity to arrive early, as the "Oriental Charm: Classic Chinese Animated Films and Documentary Exhibition" was currently on, offering a wealth of films to feast your eyes on.
"Calabash Brothers" is old and classic enough, a collective fond memory of the post-80s generation. At that moment, did it touch the softest corner of your heart?
The Nine-Colored Deer is adapted from the Dunhuang mural "The Deer King's Stories," telling the story of how Sakyamuni, in his previous life, was a nine-colored deer king. He saved a man from drowning, but was betrayed.
There are also well-known works such as "The Magic Brush of Ma Liang" and "The Legend of Heaven and Earth". It is recommended that you read them carefully, and it is best to read the text introductions next to them to enhance your understanding.
Inside the National Gallery of Fine Arts, you can not only enjoy classic art films but also snap stunning photos of Nini on the upstairs benches. With its spacious floor-to-ceiling windows, vintage chandeliers, and warm sunshine...if you love to show off, this is a place you shouldn't miss.
Just a reminder, there are quite a lot of people taking photos here, so you may need to wait in line for a while. If time permits, it is recommended to come during the week.
Tips:
Attraction name: National Museum of Fine Arts
Opening hours: 24 hours
Ticket price: Free
Detailed address: No. 8 Changjiang Back Street, Xuanwu District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province
In Nanjing, if you want to see water, in addition to the Qinhuai River, Xuanwu Lake is also worth a walk and a look. It is free to enter, which can be said to be very friendly to the people.
Xuanwu Lake, a Jiangnan imperial garden, is known as the "Pearl of Jinling." Bounded by Purple Mountain to the east, the Ming Dynasty City Wall to the west, Fuzhou Mountain to the south, and Nanjing Railway Station to the north, its geographical location is truly unique. As a renowned imperial lake, Xuanwu Lake naturally has a long history.
This area of water existed as early as the pre-Qin period; during the Six Dynasties, it was the place where the emperor reviewed the navy; during the Northern Song Dynasty, Xuanwu Lake disappeared due to Wang Anshi's "returning the lake to farmland"; during the Yuan Dynasty, Xuanwu Lake reappeared before the world; during the Ming Dynasty, Xuanwu Lake was set up as a royal forbidden area, specifically used to store the national household registration and taxation register, and the yellow book of land archives... After many twists and turns, it has finally become a back garden for people to stroll around after dinner.
Standing on the bridge and looking around, you can see the rippling water and the boats coming and going freely, which is very pleasant.
The cutest one is the boat in the shape of a big yellow duck. The people on the boat are swimming in the painting, but they don’t know that they have already become a scenery in the eyes of the people on the bridge.
Crossing the bridge, we arrived at the lakeside, where willows swayed in the wind. A gentle breeze stirred the calm surface of the water, swaying the sentimental willow branches... At this moment, sitting under the willow tree, feeling the breeze, watching the boats passing by, without having to think about anything, I felt very beautiful.
Tips:
Attraction name: Xuanwu Lake Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (06:00-21:00 for projects within the park)
Ticket price: Free
Detailed address: No. 1 Xuanwu Lane, Xuanwu District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province
The Green Expo Park is the venue for the first China Green Expo. It is adjacent to Yangtze River Avenue in the east and Yangtze River Jiajiang in the west. It is the largest urban park along the Yangtze River and its environment can be said to be first-class.
The entire Green Expo Park is 3 kilometers long along the Yangtze River coastline. It has 45 scenic spots, including 35 domestic parks, 5 international parks, 2 industry parks and 3 natural scenery areas outside the river embankment... The entire park is quite large. If you want to walk through it all, it will probably take a whole day.
If you have limited time or physical strength, you might as well follow me to check in at the following points.
The first is the Dutch windmill. This windmill is built on a large lawn. Two pairs of blue fans are hung on the red brick chimney. It is very interesting to take pictures here. You can freeze an action or run and take pictures at will. The pictures are full of childlike fun.
Just a reminder, this place is very sunny, so please take sun protection measures before going there.
The second is the roses outside the Dutch windmills. The roses here are in full bloom. At a glance, the road is covered with pink flowers, and the wind is mixed with charming fragrance. I quickly struck a pose and took one portrait after another. It's so beautiful.
Tips:
Attraction name: Nanjing China Green Expo Park
Opening hours: 08:00-17:30
Ticket price: Free
Detailed address: No. 228 Yangtze River Avenue, Jianye District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province
Although I visited many attractions over the three days, it was ultimately a cursory visit, leaving me with many regrets. For example, I didn't get to take a nighttime boat tour of the Qinhuai River. For example, due to weather conditions, I wasn't able to visit several of the more design-conscious art galleries and museums I'd been longing to visit. For example, due to time constraints, I didn't get to enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee at the Pioneer Bookstore on Yihe Road... But on second thought, regrets are also wonderful, because regrets give us a reason and motivation to go next time, right? Goodbye, Nanjing! I look forward to the day we meet again...
