Nanjing. Sifang Art Lake District Exploration Guide

🌟 Nanjing Sifang Art Lake District: An Artistic Secret Amidst Mountains and Waters

Nestled in the embrace of Nanjing’s mountains and waters lies a little-known artistic utopia—the Sifang Contemporary Art Lake District. This hidden gem, backed by Laoshan Mountain, was once just an ordinary mountainous area in Pukou, but now it gathers masterpieces from more than 20 top international architects. The moment you step onto Zhenqi Road, the city’s hustle and bustle is left far behind.

🏰 Artistic Architecture Complex
The Sifang Art Museum is the brightest jewel of the entire lake district. Designer Steven Holl embraced the concept of "perspective landscape," perfectly blending the layered meanings of Chinese gardens with modern architecture. Inside the museum, every window is a dynamic landscape painting that changes as you move. Although it’s closed on Mondays, this allows staff more time to restore exhibits—each contemporary artwork here is worth savoring carefully.

🌿 Lakeside Luxurious Residence
The Nanjing Sifang Hotel, Autograph Collection, is a perfect example of art and luxury coexisting. The surprise begins the moment you enter the lobby: the designer uses a full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows to bring the greenery of Laoshan indoors, turning even the check-in process into a visual delight. The rooms are full of thoughtful details; villas have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake, and waking up to birdsong in the morning makes it hard to tell whether you’re in a hotel or an art installation. Tips: During cherry blossom season, be sure to book a lake-view room in advance!

🖼️ Artistic Stroll
The lake district’s trails connect 24 buildings with distinct architectural styles—Japanese architect Arata Isozaki’s sculptural design, Wang Shu’s rammed earth experiments, Zhang Yonghe’s bamboo structures... every corner holds a surprise. A special recommendation is to visit the Lakeside Pavilion at dusk, where the buildings bathed in sunset glow are breathtaking. Remember to wear comfortable shoes; a 20 yuan ticket lets you wander this art maze all day long.

🍽️ Culinary Art
The hotel restaurant itself is a gustatory installation art. For breakfast, don’t miss the Nanjing specialty duck blood vermicelli soup, where the chef adds homemade duck blood and vermicelli to the bone broth right before your eyes. When night falls, experience the artist’s nightlife—enjoy a cocktail on the starry terrace, and you might even meet artists visiting for inspiration.

Here, there are no crowded tour groups or monotonous attractions—only a perfect dialogue between mountains, waters, art, and architecture. While the crowds surge along Nanjing’s city walls, the Sifang Art Lake District maintains its unique tranquility and elegance. When packing, remember to bring an extra camera battery—every frame here is worth capturing.

Post by SamuelMcKay87 | Sep 7, 2025