Nanjing Local's Hidden Guide｜Avoid the Crowds! 3 Days & 2 Nights Exploring Jinling

📍Day1: Time Travel to the Republic Era × Wutong Tree Wonderland

➊ 6:30 AM Exclusive Access to Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum's Stone Elephant Path

✅ Stunning when the Chinese tallow trees turn red in late autumn. Summer mornings feature magical light beams through the Sacred Way, offering an empty "Forbidden City" vibe.

📸 Photo Tips: Free entry before 7 AM. Shoot upwards at the stone path and statues—Hanfu outfits make perfect shots!

➋ Republic-era Mansions on Yilu Road

✅ Yellow walls and red windows under wutong trees. Sip coffee at Pioneer Bookstore (Poetry Branch) while browsing rare art books.

🍂 Hidden Gem: Find the "Heart-shaped Wutong Tree"—a must-capture for couples!

➌ Aerial View of Meiling Palace's "Necklace"

✅ Admire Soong May-ling’s Chanel collection in the 2nd-floor wardrobe, then photograph the "emerald necklace" of wutong trees from the balcony.

➍ Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Music Terrace: Human vs. Pigeons

🕊️ 3 PM pigeon feeding frenzy! Shouting "coo-coo~" works better than "come here"—Nanjing dialect magic.

📍Day2: Old Town Vibes × Nighttime Qinhuai River

➎ Breakfast Feast in Hongmiao

🍜 Must-Eats:
- Da Ji Braised Duck (crispy skin, tender meat)
- Xiao Yun Kai Soup Dumplings (bursting crab roe filling)
- Stewed White Fish Noodle Soup (locals' breakfast staple)

➏ Night Tour of Ganxi Residence

🏮 Every Fri/Sat: Carry lanterns to hunt for wooden movable type, then shoot vintage-style photos in the "99½ Rooms."

➐ Enter Laomendong via the Side Gate!

🚶 Skip the main street and head straight to Sanjiaoying Alley:
- Jiang Youji Pan-Fried Dumplings paired with Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup
- Firewood Wonton eaten on bluestone steps

➑ Sunset at Zhonghua Gate Castle

🌇 Touch 600-year-old brick inscriptions, then drone-capture the surreal skyline where the city wall "pierces" the Zifeng Tower.

📍Day3: Zen Landscapes × Hidden Gems

➒ Niushou Mountain's Buddha Crown Palace

🕌 The underground palace dome blooms like a lotus. Wear solid-color maxi dresses for "Buddhist sci-fi" shots.

⚠️ Indoor temps demand a down jacket—rent a cloak at the entrance to channel "Doctor Strange in Jinling."

➓ Shijiuhu Lake's "Totoro Grass Sea"

🌊 Walk along S9 line at low tide for reflections of trains + Tiffany-blue waters (best light at 3 PM).

🍜【Local-Approved Food Map】
✅ Choose one: Kexiang → Hongmiao → Nanhu
- Li Ji Halal: Juicy pan-fried dumplings + beef offal soup with chili oil
- Lan Lao Da Sweet Congee: Eat at the alley mouth while watching locals shop
- Aunt Dong’s Minced Meat Pancake: Legendary 4 AM street breakfast

🚫 Avoid: Confucius Temple tourist-grade salted duck; overhyped Kexiang queues.

📸【Photo Magic】
✨ Outfit Tips:
- Republic-era cheongsam (Yilu Road/Ganxi Residence)
- Solid-color maxi dresses (Niushou Mountain/Buddha Crown Palace)

⚡ Secret Spots:
- Xiaguan Train Theme Park (green train cars + riverside lighthouse)
- Pukou Railway Station Platform (from Zhu Ziqing’s *Back View*)

💡【Survival Guide】
☑ Transport: Subway = "ditie"; say "take Zhongshan South Road" to sound local.
☑ Stay: Laomendong B&Bs or Xinjiekou hotels—food at your doorstep.
☑ Seasonal Highlights:
- June: Linggu Temple fireflies (lantern-lit night walks)
- Sept: Music Terrace doves + Dec: Niushou Mountain snowscapes