Nanjing Pearl Spring Summer Escape Guide

🌟 Nanjing Pearl Spring Scenic Area: A Clear Spring Reflecting Past and Present

📜【Pearls in the River of History】

"Famous Spring of the World"—Pearl Spring has long been praised as "the top sightseeing spot north of the Yangtze River." During the Southern Liang period, it was named for the mountain spring gushing like countless pearls. In the Ming Dynasty, it became a royal summer retreat, with Emperor Wanli personally inscribing the three characters "Qing Yu Quan" (Clear Rain Spring), and the stone stele by the spring still remains today. On sunny days, bubbles at the bottom of the spring look like strings of pearls; on rainy days, ripples resemble silver plates rolling pearls. This spring, with a history of 1,500 years, still sings the poetic charm of Jinling.

🌿【Mountain and Water Secrets】

1️⃣ Qing Yu Spring
Legend has it that the spring connects to the Dragon King's Palace in the East Sea. Ming Dynasty scholar Wen Zhenheng recorded in "Treatise on Superfluous Things": "Pearl Spring gushes like linked pearls, turning rapid when overcast." Even the creation of "Dream of the Red Chamber" was inspired by it. In winter, when mist rises from the water, visitors often imitate ancient people "brewing tea with spring water."

2️⃣ Jingshan Lake
Ming Dynasty troops trained their navy here. The Ming stele forest by the lake records the military drills of the famous anti-Japanese general Yu Dayou. Today, boats glide over the clear waves, reflecting the lush Laoshang Mountain, as if recalling the magnificent scene of warships gathering in the past.

3️⃣ Meize Pavilion
This hexagonal pavilion with flying eaves in Jiangnan style witnessed elegant gatherings of Ming and Qing literati. Li Yu especially praised it in "Idle Feelings": "The mountain spring sounds like jade bracelets, perfect for playing the qin."

✨【Travel Tips】

Want to see the "Countless Bright Pearls" spectacle? It’s best to visit on a sunny morning when sunlight directly hits the spring, making the bubbles most sparkling. The wildlife park inside the scenic area also features free-range peacocks, which often display their feathers by the water, creating a charming scene with the ancient spring.

Before leaving, don’t forget to wash your hands with the spring water—old Nanjing locals say it brings "pearl-like radiance." This hidden Jinling secret in Pukou, nourished by an ever-flowing spring, has sustained a millennium of cultural heritage.

Post by ABB. Mandy 2987 | Oct 22, 2025