Parks and the outdoors in Nanjing

Parks and the outdoors in Nanjing

1. Do

   Gingko Lake Pleasure Park

   银杏湖乐园, 银杏湖游乐园 Gingko Lake Amusement Park, 银杏湖休闲度假景区 Gingko Lake Holiday Resort

   Includes an amusement park, a golf course, a nature park, a shopping area and a hotel.

   amusement park: 09:30-17:00 (09:00-17:30 on public holidays), golf course: 05:30-17:00·¥260 (adults), ¥170 (students), ¥125 (persons over 60 and children between 1.2 and 1.5 metres in height). Children under 1.2 metres in height can get in for free

2. See

   Great Bao'en Temple Ruins Park

   大报恩寺遗址公园, 大报恩寺遗址景区

   Once one of Nanjing's greatest Buddhist temples, the Great Bao'en Temple was destroyed by the Taiping rebels when they occupied the city in the mid-19th century. There is now a museum at the site. The Porcelain Tower, which is said to have been one of the seven wonders of the medieval world, has been reconstructed and affords great views over the city.

   Closed · opens 9 am·¥120 (discounted to ¥80 if you buy the ticket on the website)

3. Buy

   Hunan Road

   A slightly more low-key version of Xinjiekou, running between Xuanwu Lake and Zhongshanbei Lu. It has most of the same stores including the Phoenix International Bookstore which has a whole floor of English-language books. There is also a small pedestrianised street running south from Hunan Road which is lined with pretty much every variety of restaurant imaginable, including the usual KFC and McD's, several cheap jiaozi and noodle places, some more upmarket Chinese places and a handful of international restaurants including a Thai and Indian restaurant..

4. See

   Jiefang Gate

   Access to the Taicheng section of the City Wall, offering panoramic views of Xuanwu Lake and Jiming Temple.

5. See

   Meihuashan

   formerly

   After Wang Jingwei was buried here Wu Wangfen was renamed Meihuashan.

   ¥70 area ticket which includes the Ming Tomb, Plum Blossom Hill, PlumValley Arts Building Red, Purple Cloud Lake 5 attractions

6. See

   Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

   明孝陵

   The most famous Ming-era site of Nanjing, Ming Xiaoling is the mausoleum complex of Zhu Yuanzhang, also known as the Hongwu Emperor, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Most of the monuments are lined up along the mile-long Sacred Way (shendao), which runs from the Square Pavilion (Sifangcheng) with its giant bixi turtle to the artificial hill under which is the emperor's burial chamber. Look out for the stone camels and elephants of the sacred way, as well as for the site's second turtle - homage of the Kangxi Emperor, the greatest emperor of the Qing dynasty, to his Ming predecessor. The site's third turtle - the least known of the three, but the biggest and most mysterious - was found in a nearby ravine in the late 20th century, and is now installed in the Red Chamber Culture Park (红楼艺文苑 Honglou Yiwen Yuan), which is located just east of the main Ming Xiaoling complex, and can be visited on the same ticket. ¥70, open on Monday

7. See

   Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall

   侵华日军南京大屠杀遇难同胞纪念馆

   A memorial for the hundreds of thousands of Chinese who died at the hands of Japanese troops in Nanjing during World War II. Two partially excavated mass-burial sites reveal victims remains in situ, accompanied by insightful information boards around the walkway. The elongated sites sympathetically restrained architecture and beautifully maintained gardens are interspersed with sculptures, murals and other artworks that inspire solemn meditations. Close to the entrance is the museum exhibiting multitudes of photos, videos and objects to tell the full story, somewhat even-handedly, that can easily occupy you for hours. Captions are in English, Chinese, and Japanese. Entrance lines can be long, so plan accordingly.

   Tue-Sun 08:30-16:30·Free

8. See

   Nanjing Memorial Hall to Aviation Martyrs Killed in the War of Resistance Against Japan

   南京抗日航空烈士纪念馆, Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall

   Dedicated to all those who fought and died during the aerial battles that were fought against the Japanese during the Second World War. The memorial hall is close to a cemetery where around 3500 aviation martyrs are buried, including 870 from China, 2197 from the US, 237 from the Soviet Union and 2 from Korea.

   09:00-16:30, closed on Mondays·Free (this site is not inside the park)

9. See

   Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge

   南京长江大桥

   This 6-km bridge over the Yangtze has sculptures that are classics of Chinese sociallist art; with workers and farmers carrying tools, soldiers carrying weapons, and all of them holding books, most likely Quotations of Chairman Mao Zedong (better known as The Little Red Book). The bridge was built after Soviet advisors left China during the Sino-Soviet Split of the 1960s, and is therefore the first major project built entirely by Chinese, without foreign help. The bridge is walkable in about an hour, but this is not recommended. Pedestrians share a narrow sidewalk with bicycles and electric scooters going in the same direction.

10. See

    Pearl Spring Scenic Area

    珍珠泉风景区

    A tourist resort area featuring a variety of natural and manmade attractions, including a walkable replica of a section of the Great Wall of China. Accommodation is available on site.

    08:00-17:00 (main scenic area), 08:00-16:00 (wildlife park), 10:00-18:00 (Water World), 09:00-16:30 (Ice World)·¥40 (general admission), ¥60 (wildlife park), ¥60 (Ice World), ¥100 (Water World), ¥80 (cable car ride), ¥100 (cable car ride + Great Wall)

11. Do

    Royal Tangshan Hotel - Hot Spring & Spa

    汤山御庭臻品酒店

    Tangshan is a historical natural hot springs area in Nanjing and known as one of the popular places to enjoy great vistas of the mountain and it is surrounded by tranquil forests and lake. Royal Tangshan Hotel offers private hot springs room coupled with spa treatments to follow. With easy access from Huning Highway that provides accessible public or private transportation, Tangshan is the perfect place to enjoy the relaxing pleasures offered by the natural hot springs.

12. See

    Taiping Kingdom History Museum

    太平天国历史博物馆

    A small museum focusing on the Taiping Rebellion (1843-1868), a piece of history not well known in the West. This was one of the bloodiest conflicts in recorded history — some estimates put the death toll higher than for World War I, and it was certainly much worse than the American Civil War at about the same time, even though the Chinese used more primitive weapons. It was a crucial moment in China's relationship with the West, modernity, and its relationship to its own imperial history. It was partly a religious movement (see Christianity); the leader claimed to be God's second son, Jesus' younger brother. The quasi-Christian, peasant-led rebellion overran an area greater than Texas with Nanjing as its capital. At different times it threatened both the foreign settlements in Shanghai and the Qing government in Beijing, though it did not take either. On exhibit are documents relating to Taiping history and the grinding reduction of their movement by enterprising Qing generals and their European auxiliaries, culminating in the siege of Nanjing. Most documents and artifacts are replicas. Item descriptions are in Chinese and English, but only the Chinese text gives historical context and transcription of some of the handwritten documents. Next door are the beautiful Zhanyuan Gardens.

    Daily 08:00-17:30, 17:30-20:30·¥30 (day time), ¥70 (night time, with tour guide). Fees are waived for children and persons over 70. Visitors aged between 60 and 69 pay half price

13. See

    The Gate of China (Zhonghuamen)

    中华门

    The southern gate of Nanjing's city wall; this massive gate is one of the best preserved parts of Nanjing's city wall, and one of the best remaining examples of early Ming defensive architecture extant anywhere. The wooden castle at top was destroyed by fire, but the immense masonry (each complete with the mason's name and home province by order of the emperor) substructure remains. Two courtyards contain an archery range and vegetable gardens. The main gate has three immense depots within where, long emptied of provisions, you can find some scale models and exhibits about the gate. In one depot you can find an air raid siren used during the Japanese attack on the city.

    ¥50 to enter

14. See

    Xuanwu Lake

    玄武湖

    One of the lakes in Nanjing. There are three islands in the middle, all connected by causeways, equipped with a children's amusement park, a small zoo, and beautiful views of the city and Purple Mountain. Guests can also rent paddle boats. The lake's picturesque nature is a tribute to the beauty of Nanjing, which is so revered in China. free.

    7:00am-21：00pm

15. See

    Xuanwu Lake Park

    玄武湖公园

    One of Nanjing's lakes. Has three islands in the middle all linked by causeways, complete with an amusement park for kids, a small zoo, and lots of great views of the city and Purple Mountain. Paddle boats can be rented as well. The picturesque nature of this lake is a nod to the high esteem held within China of Nanjing's beauty.

    The Huanhu Road Area (环湖路区域) is open 24 hours a day. The Wuzhou Area (五洲区域) is open from 05:00 to 22:00 in summer and 06:00 to 21:00 in winter·Free

16. See

    Yangtze River Crossing Campaign Victory Memorial Hall

    渡江胜利纪念馆

    A museum about the capture of Nanjing by Communist forces in 1949.

    09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on Mondays·Free

17. See

    Yuhuatai Scenic Area

    雨花台风景名胜区

    The park contains a number of different sights, the best known of which is perhaps the Yuhuatai Matyrs' Cemetery (雨花台烈士陵园), which contains the remains of soldiers who fought in the Red Army during the Chinese Civil War. Sightseeing cars are available to take visitors around the park for ¥10.

    Closed · opens 8 am·General admission is free but some sights within the park charge a fee ranging from ¥5 to ¥10

18. See Not mapped

    Drum Tower of Nanjing

    南京鼓楼

    One of the city's major historical landmarks, the drum tower was first built during the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. It is now the centerpiece of a small park in the center of a traffic roundabout called Drum Tower Park. Visitors are reminded repeatedly not to hit the drums.

    08:00-17:00, no entry after 16:45·Free

19. See Not mapped

    Qinhuai River

    秦淮河

    Qinhuai River, a tributary of the great Yangtze River, is 110 km (about 68 mi) in length and covers a drainage area of 2,631 km² (about 1,016 sq mi). The river used to be called Huai River, and it is said that the river was channeled to the city of Nanjing during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, so it was named Qinhuai River from then on. Qinhuai River is the largest river in the Nanjing City area, other than the Yangtse, and is the 'life blood' of the city. There are many sites of interest along its banks, including Zhanyuan Garden, Zhonghua Gate, and the sights along the Taoye Ferry ride to Zhenhuai Bridge. Taking the painted boats to cruise on the Qinhuai River, visitors can not only admire the sights along the river but can also experience the traditional culture of Nanjing. Visitors can take boats at different wharfs to admire the scenery along the river.

20. See

    Hongshan Forest Zoo

    红山森林动物园

    168 Heyan Road, Xuanwu District (玄武区和燕路168号)

    07:30-18:00, no tickets sold after 16:30·¥40 (adults), ¥20 (students and children over 1.4 metres in height). Children under 1.4 metres in height and adults over 60 may enter for free

21. See

    Sifang Contemporary Art Museum

    四方当代美术馆, Sifang Art Museum

    9 Zhen Qi Road, Pukou District (浦口区珍七路9号)

    10:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on Mondays·¥80 (including museum and art lake), ¥30 (lake only)

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Nanjing (CC BY-SA 4.0).