The glassy lake in this lovely, verdant 530-hectare park – backing onto the towering city wall – is studded with five interconnected isles scattered with bonsai gardens, camphor and cherry-blossom trees, temples and bamboo groves. It's a lovely escape from Nanjing's urban expanses, while the entire lake circuit is a whopping (and enjoyable) 9.5km jaunt. There are also boat rides (¥120 to ¥140 per hour) and miniature train rides (¥20; 8.30am to 4.45pm).
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
4.21 MILES
This expansive temple complex contains one of the most historic buildings in Nanjing – the Beamless Hall (无梁殿, Wúliáng Diàn), built in 1381 entirely out…
3.36 MILES
An astonishing sight at the top of an enormous stone stairway (a breathless 392 steps), Sun Yatsen's tomb is a mandatory stop for most visitors…
2.74 MILES
This fabulous museum has three dramatically modern exhibition blocks alongside a traditional, temple-style hall. Exhibits range from 20th-century brush…
2.68 MILES
Zhu Yuanzhang (1328–1398), the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty (also known as the Hongwu Emperor), was buried in the tomb of Ming Xiaoling; he was…
10.87 MILES
This sacred site on Qixia Mountain (栖霞山, Qīxiá Shān), 22km northeast of Nanjing, was founded by the Buddhist monk Ming Sengshao during the Southern Qi…
Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders
4.01 MILES
In the city’s southwestern suburbs, the disturbing exhibits in the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre document the atrocities committed by Japanese…
3.65 MILES
If you don't have time to get to Suzhou, visit this delightful Ming-dynasty garden complex that once housed Taiping officials. The on-site Taiping History…
2.82 MILES
This scenic area on Zijin Mountain has loads of opportunities for rambling, but the main attraction is Ming Xiaoling Tomb, the magnificent mausoleum of…
Nearby Nanjing attractions
0.72 MILES
The most active temple in Nanjing, Jiming Temple was first built in AD 527 during the Three Kingdoms period and has been rebuilt many times since.
1.06 MILES
This underrated park, just south of Xuanwu Lake, has a peaceful world-away feel and a delightful array of statues dotted around its leafy hills. The park…
1.25 MILES
One of the original 13 Ming city gates, renovated in 2001. The gate is located in a small park in the north of town and is connected to Taiping Gate (5…
1.5 MILES
One of the original 13 Ming city gates, located in the north of town. The name means 'Central Gate'.
1.61 MILES
This delightfully historic campus is worth a stroll to appreciate its traditional architecture, lovely trees and green spaces.
2.06 MILES
After the Taiping took over Nanjing, they built the Mansion of the Heavenly King (天王府, Tiānwáng Fǔ) on the foundations of a former Ming-dynasty palace…
2.16 MILES
Established in 1902 and located in the centre of town; the lovely campus is well worth an exploration.