Complete Guide to Cherry Blossom Viewing at Mochou Lake & Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing

In Nanjing, cherry blossom season is a romantic spring feast. Want to know how to find the most beautiful cherry blossoms at Mochou Lake and Xuanwu Lake? Check out this guide!

Mochou Lake

📍Address: 132 Shuiximen Street, Jianye District
🚇Transportation: Subway Line 2 to Mochou Lake Station; Bus routes 109, 20, 78, etc. to Mochou Lake Park West Gate Station
⏰Best viewing period: Mid-March to mid-April. The 30-year-old cherry trees form two groves with over 100 trees. The Yoshino cherry trees have light pink single petals, with small but dense flowers blooming for 2-4 weeks.

🎈Viewing highlights: Compared to other popular cherry blossom spots, Mochou Lake has fewer tourists, allowing for a relaxed viewing experience. The cherry grove in the north area creates a classical atmosphere against the backdrop of the lake and pavilions.

📸Photo spots:

Cherry Grove: Use the cherry blossoms as a background, stand under the trees and shoot upward to capture the flowers against the blue sky.

Lakeside: Capture the cherry blossom reflections in the lake with fish swimming below, creating a lively scene.

👗Outfit suggestions: Light-colored Hanfu or JK uniforms complement the cherry blossom atmosphere perfectly for stunning spring photos.

Xuanwu Lake

📍Address: 1 Xuanwu Lane, Xuanwu District
🚇Transportation: Subway Line 1 to Xuanwu Gate Station; Bus routes 1, 22, 25, etc. to Xuanwu Lake Park Station
⏰Best viewing period: Mid to late March through early April, with peak bloom lasting 10-15 days. Nearly 3,000 cherry trees including early and late blooming varieties.

🎈Viewing highlights: Large scale with thousands of snow-like cherry trees, diverse varieties showing different forms. Rich historical heritage where cherry blossoms blend with the thousand-year-old lake, mountains, and ancient city walls.

📸Must-visit photo spots:

Cherry Island Corridor: Winding corridor with cherry blossom tunnel creates perfect traditional scenes for upward shots or portraits through branches.

Fangqiao Lakeside: Cherry blossoms reflect in Xuanwu Lake - best lighting in sunny afternoons when the lake sparkles like diamonds.

Lovers' Garden Church Lawn: European church + cherry trees + Ferris wheel background, perfect for Japanese-style fresh photos.

Ming City Wall Scenic Belt: Climb the city wall for aerial views of cherry blossoms and lake scenery, unique ancient-meets-modern perspective (30 yuan entrance fee, worth it).

🌟Recommended routes:

Classic viewing route (half-day): Liberation Gate → Cherry Island → Fang Bridge → Lovers' Garden → Ten-Mile Embankment

Citywalk route (full-day): Jiming Temple → Cherry Blossom Avenue → Xuanwu Lake Cherry Island → Platform City → Lovers' Garden sunset

❗Notes:
Please view flowers respectfully - don't shake trees or pick flowers, take your trash with you; wear comfortable flat shoes for the many steps along the city wall section; be careful of slippery conditions when taking photos by the lake.

From the serenity of Mochou Lake to the grandeur of Xuanwu Lake, these two hidden cherry blossom viewing gems in Nanjing await your romantic spring date