Jinling—A Thousand Years of Melancholy from the Ancient Capital
Every attraction in Nanjing transforms into a flowing poem, allowing you to savor the tenderness and depth of this ancient city amidst the interplay of history and nature.
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Day 1: Hongshan Forest Zoo—Whispers of Life
📍Address
Hongshan Forest Zoo, located at 66 Hongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, is like a hidden sanctuary in the bustling city, waiting for you to discover its vitality and gentleness in the morning light.
🚗Transportation
Public Transportation: Take Subway Line 2 to Gulou Station, then transfer to a bus directly to Hongshan Forest Zoo, as if embarking on a path to a world of childlike wonder.
Self-driving: When driving, please plan your route in advance. The parking lot inside the zoo is spacious, but it becomes especially precious during the crowds of holidays.
👍️Must-See Attractions
Fantastic Creatures Zone: Here, you can encounter adorable pandas and majestic giraffes. Every glance speaks volumes of nature's poetry.
Animal Interaction Theater: The regularly scheduled animal performances are like a dialogue between nature and fantasy, allowing you to experience the wonders of ecology amidst laughter.
Tranquil Corners: Stroll along the lush paths within the zoo and encounter those inadvertently revealed moments of tenderness, evoking a sense of poetry.
🎟️Tickets
Adult tickets are approximately CNY 60. Children and seniors can enjoy discounts with valid IDs.
It is recommended to check the official website for the latest ticket information before departure, as if exploring the quietly changing password of time.
💗Other Tips
The zoo is particularly fresh in the morning. Choosing this moment to depart is like capturing the first rays of the rising sun.
Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and sufficient water are your essential companions for conversing with nature.
Listening carefully to the stories told by the讲解员 will allow you to discover a unique romance and mystery in the animal world.
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Day 2: Presidential Palace and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum—Murmurs of History
Morning: Presidential Palace—The Splendor of Time Travel
📍Address
The Presidential Palace is located at 292 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing. This place has witnessed tremendous historical changes and is a living record of the old days.
🚗Transportation
Public Transportation: Take Subway Line 2 to Xinjiekou Station, then transfer to a bus to Presidential Palace Station. The palace is a few minutes' walk away.
Self-driving: When driving, the old Nanjing charm along the way is enough to evoke your endless reverie for the past, but please be mindful of traffic during peak hours.
👍️Must-See Attractions
Historical Corridor: Walking through the ancient courtyards, every brick and tile whispers dreams of the Republican era.
Exhibition Artifacts: Those treasured documents and artifacts are like secret letters, telling stories of past峥嵘 years.
Thematic Explanation: Listening to the guide's narration is like traveling through time and witnessing that turbulent period of history.
🎟️Tickets
Tickets are approximately CNY 40. Half-price discounts are available with a student ID or other valid ID.
It is recommended to book in advance to enjoy an undisturbed immersive experience in this historical corridor.
💗Other Tips
Set aside 2–3 hrs to slowly whisper with history in every corner.
Be mindful of the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. Bring a bottle of water to nourish your soul in warmth.
Afternoon: Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum—A Poem Carved in Time
📍Address
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is nestled at the foot of Zijin Mountain in the Zhongshan Scenic Area of Nanjing, like an ancient poem composed by history and nature.
🚗Transportation
Tourist Bus: Departing from the city center, the direct bus to the Zhongshan Scenic Area takes about half an hour, adding a touch of leisure to the journey.
Self-driving: Drive along the winding mountain roads. Every turn seems to foreshadow the stories of the ancients, but please pay attention to road safety in the mountainous area.
👍️Must-See Attractions
Sacred Way: Along the solemn Sacred Way, stone carvings from past dynasties line both sides, as if each stele is chanting the character of the ancients.
Mausoleum Overview: Admire the magnificent mausoleum architecture and feel the eternal mark of imperial power and culture in the long river of time.
Inscriptions Collection: Those mottled inscriptions are the handwriting left by history, witnessing the glory and precipitation of an era.
🎟️Tickets
Adult tickets are approximately CNY 70, including admission to the main attractions within the scenic area.
Students and seniors can enjoy discounts with valid IDs. It is recommended to check the latest ticket information in advance to avoid missing any subtle changes.
💗Other Tips
It is recommended to allocate half a day to savor the shock and tranquility brought by this historical site.
Comfortable walking shoes and timely hydration are your loyal companions as you stroll through this historical river.
The gentle breezes of spring and autumn are more suitable for sightseeing. With a calm and reverent heart, step into the scroll of history.
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Day 3: Nanjing Dabaoen Temple Ruins Park—A Call to Zen
📍Address
Nanjing Dabaoen Temple Ruins Park is located on Dabaoen Temple Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing. This thousand-year-old temple is like a yellowed scripture, containing the Zen of peaceful years.
🚗Transportation
Public Transportation: Take a direct bus to Dabaoen Temple Station. The journey takes about 20 mins, and you can then walk into the antique Zen realm.
Self-driving: Travelers by car can park in the temporary parking area next to the temple and then step into this sanctuary of the soul to experience the tranquility.
👍️Must-See Attractions
Ancient Temple Complex: Here, every wooden beam and every stone slab has been polished by time, exuding the tranquil charm of the ancient temple.
Zen Meditation Experience: Experience the tranquility of the temple's meditation room, allowing your heart to be baptized in a moment of silence, as if you can hear the whispers from deep within.
Vegetarian Cuisine: At specific times, the vegetarian meals offered by the temple are a cultural heritage, allowing your taste buds to experience the gentleness of Zen.
🎟️Tickets
Nanjing Dabaoen Temple Ruins Park is generally free, but some meditation courses or exhibitions may charge a small fee.
Come with a heart of respect and faith. Occasional donation-based small fees will also become a testament to your connection with the ancient temple.
💗Other Tips
Choose early morning. The temple is even more serene then, as if only tranquility and piety remain between heaven and earth.
Please keep your voice low during your visit and quietly experience the touch from deep within your heart.
Communicate with the monks in the temple. Perhaps you will hear small stories about Zen. Those stories are as gentle as the flower petals falling outside the temple.
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Conclusion
During this three-day Nanjing trip, we crossed between modernity and ancient charm, shuttling between nature and history. The vitality of Hongshan Forest Zoo, the splendor of the Presidential Palace, the magnificence of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, and the Zen of Nanjing Dabaoen Temple Ruins Park form a rich and colorful scroll of life. May this journey not only bring you the shock of the scenery but also allow you to feel the deep and gentle poetry of this city amidst the interweaving of words and memories.