Nanjing Travelogue: Niushou Mountain and Jinling Town

Foding Palace, Jinling Town A Deep Dive into Nanjing's Niushou Mountain and Jinling Town: Journey Through Millennia of Elegance, Encountering the Legacy of Six Dynasties 📅 Itinerary Recommended Route: Niushou Mountain (Daytime) → Jinling Town (Evening to Night) Suggested Duration: 1 day Transportation: Niushou Mountain and Jinling Town are only 2 km apart. After visiting Niushou Mountain, you can take a 5-minute taxi ride from the west gate directly to Jinling Town. 🏞 Niushou Mountain: A Sacred Buddhist Realm and Natural Poetry Highlight Experiences: 1. Foding Palace: Underground Art Sanctuary The core attraction of Niushou Mountain, the magnificent dome design and the enshrinement of relics in the underground palace are awe-inspiring. We recommend taking photos of the reflections in the water along the Foding Palace corridor. With a wide-angle lens, the building and the Foding Pagoda can be framed together, interweaving Zen and artistry. Tip: The light is soft after 3 pm, suitable for capturing the golden dome blending with the sunset. 2. Foding Pagoda: Overlooking the Grand View of Jinling Climb the pagoda and look out over the lush forests of Niushou Mountain and the Nanjing city skyline. The murals on each floor of the pagoda tell Buddhist stories. Looking back at Foding Palace from the top, it resembles a celestial wonderland. 3. Yinlong Lake: Hiking in a Secluded Paradise Descend from the west side of Foding Palace to Yinlong Lake. The bamboo-lined path is quiet and serene, and the Taoxi Waterfall by the lake flows gently, making it a natural oxygen bar for summer escapes. Tickets and Opening Hours: · Tickets: 145 yuan/person (including scenic shuttle bus) · Opening Hours: 8:30 am - 7:30 pm (Summer) 🌌 Jinling Town: A Dream Back to the Blue-Hued Elegance of the Six Dynasties Arrival Time: It is recommended to arrive at 5 pm to enjoy both the daytime "Jinling Blue" architecture and the dazzling night view. 🌆 Must-See Attractions 1. Taoxi Path: Guided by Fairy Mist The bamboo-lined path at the entrance is shrouded in mist, with Six Dynasties ladies (NPCs) holding lanterns to guide the way, as if stepping into a landscape painting from "A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains." 2. Wenxin Hall: Collision of Technology and Ancient Charm The 360° panoramic cinema on the underground floor recreates the bustling market scenes of the Six Dynasties Jinling with naked-eye 3D technology. We recommend participating in the DIY lacquer fan activity (38 yuan/fan) to create your own unique national-style artwork. 3. Linqu Alley: Coexistence of Daily Life and Elegance The velvet flowers and brocade sachets in the cultural and creative shops showcase the craftsmanship of Jinling. The aroma of Jiming soup dumplings and red bean glutinous rice balls wafts from the food street. We recommend "Jinling Beef Noodles" paired with three bowls of mung bean soup to beat the summer heat and experience the warmth of Nanjing people. 4. Lingxiao Terrace: Commanding Heights for Panoramic Views Ascend the terrace to overlook the entire town. The blue glazed tiles shimmer under the setting sun. As night falls, lights outline the eaves and corners of the buildings, echoing the Foding Pagoda of Niushou Mountain. 5. Luxiao Garden: Nighttime Poetry and Painting The lake reflects the glittering lights, and ladies in Hanfu costumes hold lanterns and row boats. The situational dramas "Tianxia Wen Shu" and "Qianli Ren Feng" are performed regularly every week, recreating the elegant scenes of Six Dynasties literati composing poems and essays. Tickets and Opening Hours: · Tickets: 48 yuan/person · Opening Hours: 9:30 am - 9:30 pm (Extended to 10 pm on weekends) 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations 1. Mantingfang Inn A traditional Chinese inn located within Jinling Town, with Lingxiao Terrace visible from the windows. Guests can experience seal incense and Jinling evening classes. Room rates are approximately 1000 yuan/night. 2. Hilton Nanjing Niushou Mountain Resort A 5-minute walk from the east gate of Niushou Mountain, featuring Zen-inspired rooms with balconies. Peak season prices are approximately 1200 yuan/night. 📸 Photography and Outfit Guide · Best Photo Spots: The glass bridge at Wenxin Hall's Sky Mirror, the arch bridge at Luxiao Garden, and the corridor at Lingxiao Terrace. · Outfit Suggestions: Hanfu rentals (50 yuan/hour within Jinling Town) or plain long dresses, creating a contrasting aesthetic with the "Jinling Blue" architecture. 🍜 Food Map · Niushou Mountain: The vegetarian set meal (68 yuan/serving) at the scenic area's vegetarian restaurant, with mushroom-based "salted duck" that offers a surprisingly delicious taste. · Jinling Town: Qinhuai soup dumplings and sweet-scented osmanthus sugar taro pudding at Linqu Alley. Enjoy authentic snacks for around 30 yuan per person. ✨ Insider Tips 1. Off-Peak Travel: Avoid weekends and choose to travel from Thursday to Friday for fewer crowds and better scenery. 2. Combo Ticket Discounts: Book Niushou Mountain + Jinling Town combo tickets on Trip.com and save 20 yuan. 3. Cultural Easter Eggs: Follow Jinling Town's official WeChat account to get the daily performance schedule. Don't miss the "Southern Music and Dance" at 7:30 pm. Conclusion: Niushou Mountain and Jinling Town, one mountain and one town, one dynamic and one tranquil, connect the Zen and elegance of Nanjing. When the "Jinling Blue" in the twilight meets the golden dome of Foding Palace, this dialogue across millennia will become the most poetic Nanjing memory in your heart.