The Most Healing Autumn Lakeside in Nanjing

🍂 Autumn Colors at Xuanwu Lake: A Flowing Golden Scroll
Autumn at Xuanwu Lake is a grand and tranquil feast of colors. When the autumn breeze brushes over the misty lake of the Six Dynasties, this millennium-old famous garden reveals its most poetic appearance.
🌅 A Visual Feast of Autumn Colors
A Symphony of Colors
Xuanwu Lake in autumn is a masterful colorist. The Ginkgo Avenue first plays the golden prelude, stretching from Xuanwu Gate to Liangzhou. The ginkgo leaves shine like molten gold, sunlight filters through the branches casting mottled shadows, and fallen leaves form a soft carpet underfoot. The Chinese tallow and sweetgum trees are not to be outdone, dotting the lakeside with varying shades of red, especially in the Liangzhou and Cuizhou areas, where red, yellow, and green intertwine like a spilled palette. The most stunning sight is the dawn redwood forest, which transitions from lush green to rusty red, their tall figures reflected in the mirror-like lake surface, creating a symmetrical dreamlike world.
The Zen Aesthetic of Withered Lotus
Compared to the lushness of summer, the autumn lotus pond has a unique charm. The lotus leaves gradually wither, shedding their fresh green for a russet coat, and the curved stems sketch simple lines on the lake surface. This is not decay but a Zen beauty of life’s cycle. When morning mist drifts, the withered lotus, distant Purple Mountain, and Ming City Wall form an ink-wash scroll, a favorite scene for photographers.
🚶 Classic Autumn Viewing Routes
Liangzhou Ginkgo Avenue: Enter from Xuanwu Gate and head straight to Liangzhou. Here, decades-old ginkgo trees gather, their golden canopies forming a natural archway, one of Nanjing’s most iconic autumn scenes.
Plane Tree Path along the Lakeside Road: Stroll along the lakeside road where the leaves of the French plane trees gradually turn yellow, complementing the lake and mountain scenery. The section from Taiping Gate to Sun Palace is especially recommended for fewer crowds and beautiful views.
Overlooking from the Ming City Wall: Climb the Ming City Wall at Taicheng section for a panoramic view. The colorful tree canopies, vast lake, and distant mountains compose a magnificent painting. On clear days, the city skyline is visible.
🌊 Unique Autumn Experiences
Cultural Gatherings and Nature Observation
Autumn at Xuanwu Lake is a natural stage for cultural activities. You can join groups sketching by the lake or capture the moment of “a leaf heralding autumn” with your camera. It is also a prime birdwatching season, with migratory birds resting on the lake and egrets often seen among the reeds.
Autumn’s Culinary Gifts
If you visit around Mid-Autumn Festival, don’t miss the classical ambiance of “Houhu Moonlit Night.” The bright moonlight on the lake mingles with lantern shadows, as if stepping back into a poetic era. Nearby teahouses offer seasonal treats like osmanthus cake and autumn pear soup, adding warmth to the cool autumn days.
💡 Practical Travel Tips
Best Time: Late October to late November is the peak of colors, with the softest light from 7-9 AM and 3-5 PM.
The autumn colors of Xuanwu Lake are not only a visual feast but also a spiritual cleansing. In this golden realm, every step echoes history, and every glance reveals the sediment of time.