Author: admin6

The Purple Mountain is one of the defining features of Nanjing, since it sits basically right in the middle of an urban area. The mountain itself is quite large, and has more tourist sites and trails than can be seen in a single day. However, Purple Mountain is not very high, and those climbing it usually find that it can be done in less than two hours from the bottom to the top.

One of the best places to start the ascent is the Cable Car Station (?????), which is reachable by the #20 bus. The cable car goes all the way to the top of the mountain, and tickets cost 40 RMB for adults and children over 4 years old. However, Purple Mountain is very easily climbable, and many may prefer to go on foot. When climbing the mountain, there are wide roads which can be driven on by cars, and small foot paths which area only accessible to walkers. Towards the top of the mountain, there is a staircase which goes straight park at the top.

A previously mentioned, there are many tourist sites on the mountain, including the Nanjing Aquarium, the Purple Mountain Observatory, Ling Gu Temple, and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Mausoleum. There are even Ming Dynasty Tombs, the final resting place of the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Prices vary for these attractions, with the most expensive package tickets costing 80 RMB. Aside from historical or tourist sites, there are also a few lakes on the mountain, such as Zi Xia Lake, and the Nanjing Botanical Garden. During the spring time, tourists can also go to the Plum Blossom Mountain/Mei Hua Shan to view Nanjing’s city flower blossoming on hundreds of plum trees.

Again, the Purple Mountain has far more than can be seen in one day. Take some time on the weekends and explore, there are many things to find here.

Beiji Ge Park is a small hill near Gulou Park, and overlooking Xuanwu Lake. The park itself contains many small roads and some good places to look around, but it is not very big. Despite this, there are some truly great views that can be seen from here. In some parts, road winds through a small forest and offers great views of Jiming Temple. In fact, the park directly connects to the back of the temple, right where the old city wall ends. Other areas of the park look over wide swaths of Nanjing, with some views stretching all the way to Xinjiekou. This is a good place to go on a clear day, as good photo opportunities are plentiful.

For those who like to look at plum blossoms, Mei Hua Shan is the perfect place, especially from February to March. Located within the Purple Mountain and very close to the Ming Dynasty Tombs, Mei Hua Shan has literally hundreds of plum trees for tourists to browse through, appreciating the flowers. During early spring, this is an ideal site to go to, especially if you are planning on visiting other nearby places like the tombs later in the day. Tickets do need to be purchased for entry, and cost 50 RMB per person during the period of February 14 to March 14, 2010.

Zi Xia Lake is probably the only place in Nanjing that people can swim outdoors in a semi natural environment. The lake itself is carved into the side of the Purple Mountain, and includes a man made beach. Zi Xia Lake is relatively new, with its history dating back to only 1935. The water is un-chlorinated and aquatic plants are allowed to grow there mostly unmanaged. The lake is open to the general public year round, though obviously swimming in summer time is best. Caution should be practiced at all times; each year a number of deaths occur as a result of cramp brought on by cold water currents flowing from inside the mountain. Swim with a friend, or take some kind of floatation device.

Gulin Park is originally the sight of Gulin Temple, which was destroyed and rebuilt several times. At present, there is no temple in the park, though. Instead, visitors can find a variety of things to do, ranging from flowers to paintball. On the less violent side of things, Gulin Park holds a plum flower exhibition every spring, and displays over 60 varieties of flowers. The park also has extensive peony gardens. For those less interested in flowers, paintball is available. To get in is 20 RMB, but a case of 100 bullets costs 150 RMB. Finally, for those who just like food, Gulin has a section of barbeque pits, where meats and other foods are also available. Prices are around 10 RMB per person for a pit.

Stone City Park is one of the oldest and most historic places in Nanjing, though it is hard to see that when one goes there. This area of land served as a strategic point for the Kingdom of Chu during the Warring States period (around 330 BC) and Sun Quan during the Three Kingdoms. Today, the park is open to all visitors, who can see the (very) ancient fortifications as well as a collection of modern artillery cannons placed throughout the park. At the top of its highest point, there are great views up and down the Qinhuai River. Like Gulin Park, barbeque pits are available here, and cost roughly 55 RMB for 3 people. The park itself is free to enter.

Making for an excellent day out, as well as being heaven for mountain bikers, Laoshan National Forest Park is located on the northern shores of the Yangtze River, west of the Yangtze River Bridge and north of the Yangtze River Tunnel. The Park covers an area of 80 square kilometres with a forest coverage of 80%. In addition to the tree covered undulating hills plus various species of plant life unique to the locale, Lao Shan is also home to wolves, deer, foxes and over 200 other species of animals which each year make the area their breeding ground. It is also no surprise that Lao Shan shall likely be the venue for mountain biking and road biking events at the 2014 Youth Olympics. Certainly the most convenient way to access Lao Shan is by car. However, bus #168 terminates at the base of the mountain a few hundred metres north of the Pearl Springs Resort. Buses #608, #610 and #611 from Hanzhong Men also stop at the park. From there one can enjoy a day’s walking or biking around the mountain, but bring a packed lunch and plenty of water! Once on the mountain, there are no shops!

For both recreation and good food, there no better place than Jiangxin Zhou (literally Jiangxin Continent) that lies just off Nanjing in the Yangtze River, accessible by two ferries from Mianhuadi Ferry Port and Hongwei Ferry Port, and via the Yangtze River Tunnel and Jiangxin Zhou Bridge that also has lanes for bikes and pedestrians. This small 20 sq. km oasis of farmland, where you can sample both rural and small town China, is known for its clean air, quaint farmhouses, vineyards and strawberry patches. A number of artists have opened workshops on the island, while visitors can pick ridiculously fresh grapes and strawberries, pay by the jin, have a picnic and bike or stroll around the island.

Home to the annual Dragon Boat Race, and great for boating or a walk in a peaceful environment.

Covering over 186 hectares, the gardens are home to more than 3000 plant species.