Nanjing 4-Day Tour
Natural Landscapes & Science-Humanities In-depth
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Xuanwu Lake Scenic Area + Jiming Temple + Nanjing City Wall Taicheng Section + Drum Tower
Xuanwu Lake Scenic Area
Xuanwu Lake is located in Xuanwu District, Nanjing City. It is the largest inner-city park in Jiangnan, one of China's largest imperial garden lakes, and one of the "Three Famous Lakes of Jiangnan," alongside Hangzhou's West Lake and Jiaxing's South Lake. Xuanwu Lake is known as the "Pearl of Jinling" and is a landmark attraction in Nanjing. The lake features five islets, all interconnected, offering picturesque scenery. Within the park, there are attractions such as temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens, teahouses, restaurants, entertainment venues, and a small zoo. Its main entrance is Xuanwu Gate. During the Six Dynasties period, Xuanwu Lake was an imperial garden. In the Ming Dynasty, it was the location of the "Yellow Register Archives" and an imperial forbidden area. After the Qing Dynasty ended in 1911, Xuanwu Lake was opened as a park, and officially renamed Xuanwu Lake Park in 1935. The park boasts a rich variety of aquatic life, with lotus flowers being particularly famous. In spring and summer, lotus leaves cover the water and the flowers bloom beautifully.
Jiming Temple
Jiming Temple, officially known as Ancient Jiming Temple, is located in Xuanwu District, Nanjing, by Xuanwu Lake, and is one of Nanjing's oldest Buddhist temples. It was first built during the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties (527 AD), has a long history, and has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. The main existing temple buildings were reconstructed in the 20th year of Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty (1387). Key structures within the temple include the Guanyin Hall, Huomeng Tower, and the Medicine Buddha Pagoda. Behind the temple, there is an entrance to the Nanjing City Wall, from which visitors can ascend to overlook the scenery of Xuanwu Lake. Jiming Temple is one of Nanjing's most popular temples for incense offerings, especially during the Lunar New Year.
Nanjing City Wall Taicheng Scenic Area
The Nanjing City Wall Taicheng Scenic Area is located at No. 8 Jiefangmen, Jiming Temple Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing City, and is part of the Nanjing Ming City Wall. The Nanjing Ming City Wall is the longest, largest, and best-preserved city wall in the world. The Taicheng section boasts beautiful scenery and is an important attraction for visitors to learn about Nanjing's history and culture and enjoy the city's landscape.
Drum Tower
Nanjing Drum Tower is located in the center of Nanjing and is one of its iconic buildings. Originally built in the Ming Dynasty, it was once used for timekeeping and military lookout. It has witnessed the historical changes of Nanjing and is now an important cultural heritage site and tourist attraction in the city.
2
Qixia Mountain Scenic Area + Purple Mountain Observatory + Yanziji
Qixia Mountain Scenic Area
Qixia Mountain Scenic Area is located in Qixia District, Nanjing City. It is a famous historical and cultural mountain, known for 'Spring Niushou, Autumn Qixia'. It boasts the thousand-year-old Qixia Temple and mountains full of red leaves, earning it the reputation of 'the most beautiful mountain in Jinling'. Qixia Mountain Scenic Area not only features beautiful natural scenery but also rich historical and cultural relics such as the Thousand Buddha Cliff and Sarira Pagoda, making it a tourist destination that integrates natural beauty, historical sites, and Buddhist culture.
Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Purple Mountain Observatory is the first modern astronomical research institution established by Chinese people. Its predecessor was the National Astronomical Institute of the Academia Sinica, founded in 1928 and completed in 1934. It is known as the 'cradle of modern Chinese astronomy'. Two periodic comets, one non-periodic comet, and multiple asteroids have been discovered here.
Yanziji
Yanziji is located in Qixia District, Nanjing City, and is one of the three famous cliffs along the Yangtze River. It gets its name from the shape of its rock, which resembles a swallow spreading its wings. With beautiful scenery and a long history, it is an important scenic spot for appreciating the Yangtze River landscape and experiencing historical culture.
3
Nanjing Museum + Nanjing University (Gulou Campus) + Southeast University (Sipailou Campus) + Chaotian Palace
Nanjing Museum
Nanjing Museum is located in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province in eastern China. Covering an area of 70,000 square meters (17 acres), it is one of China's largest museums, boasting over 400,000 permanent collections. Notably, the museum houses one of the world's largest collections of imperial porcelain from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is one of the earliest established museums in China, with its predecessor being the Preparatory Office of the National Central Museum, founded in 1933. The main building was designed by Liang Sicheng in the 1930s, blending Chinese and Western architectural styles.
Nanjing University (Gulou Campus)
Nanjing University Gulou Campus is located in Gulou District, Nanjing City. It is the main campus of Nanjing University, boasting a long history and rich cultural heritage. The campus features unique architectural styles and lush greenery, making it a famous attraction that draws numerous visitors. Here, you can find the beautiful Beida Building, the historic Pearl S. Buck House, and modern teaching and research facilities, making it an excellent place to experience the atmosphere of a century-old prestigious university.
Southeast University (Sipailou Campus)
Southeast University Sipailou Campus is located in Xuanwu District, Nanjing City, and is one of the main campuses of Southeast University, boasting a long history and rich cultural heritage. The campus features unique architectural styles, lush trees, and a beautiful environment, making it an ideal place for study and research. Additionally, the campus is home to many historical buildings and attractions, such as the Grand Auditorium and Zhongshan Institute, attracting numerous visitors.
Chaotian Palace
Chaotian Palace is located in Nanjing. It was built in the Ming Dynasty and was once a royal palace, now serving as the Nanjing Museum. It is the largest and best-preserved traditional Chinese architectural complex in the Jiangnan region, housing over 100,000 precious cultural relics.
4
Mochou Lake Park + Yuhuatai Scenic Area + Nanjing Yuzui Wetland Park + Nanjing Eye Pedestrian Bridge
Mochou Lake Park
Mochou Lake Park is located in Jianye District, Nanjing City. It is a classical garden with a long history and rich cultural landscapes. Inside the park, the lake water ripples, lotuses fill the ponds, pavilions and towers are scattered in an orderly fashion, and the environment is beautiful. The park features famous attractions such as Mochou Girl's Former Residence, Shengqi Tower, and Huayan Temple, making it a great place for Nanjing citizens to relax and entertain, and for tourists to sightsee.
Nanjing Yuhuatai Scenic Area
Nanjing Yuhuatai Scenic Area, located in Yuhuatai District, Nanjing City, is a famous revolutionary martyrs' cemetery and scenic area in China. It is one of the important places where Chinese Communists bravely fought and sacrificed during the New Democratic Revolution. The park not only features solemn martyrs' cemeteries and monuments, but also boasts beautiful natural scenery and unique Yuhua Stone culture, making it a comprehensive park integrating revolutionary education, natural sightseeing, and cultural leisure.
Nanjing Yuzui Wetland Park
Nanjing Yuzui Wetland Park is located at No. 460 Yangzijiang Avenue, Jianye District, Nanjing City, and is an important urban wetland park in Nanjing. With its beautiful ecological environment, it is an ideal place for bird watching and leisurely walks. The park was one of the venues for the 'Nanjing Sports Lab' during the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games, hosting Wushu events.
Nanjing Eye Pedestrian Bridge
The Nanjing Eye Pedestrian Bridge is located in Jianye District, Nanjing City. It is a modern pedestrian bridge connecting Hexi New City and Jiangxinzhou. With its unique double-arch design and graceful curves, it has become a new landmark and a popular photo spot in Nanjing. In the evening, the bridge lights up brilliantly, creating a particularly enchanting scene, attracting many citizens and tourists to stroll and take photos. It is an excellent place to enjoy the Yangtze River scenery and the city's night view.
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