Nanjing Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone: Photography tips for the Usnisa Palace, avoid the crowds!

Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone is located at No. 18 Ningdan Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing. It is named after the two peaks on the top of the mountain that resemble the horns of a bull. It is not only the birthplace of the Niutou School of Chan Buddhism, but also has rich natural landscapes and cultural relics, such as the Usnisa Palace, Usnisa Pagoda, Zheng He’s Tomb, and Yue Fei’s Anti-Jin Fortress. Niushoushan is a comprehensive cultural tourism zone that integrates Buddhist culture, historical sites, and natural ecology, with the relic of the Buddha’s parietal bone as its core. 2. Itinerary Morning 08:30 - 09:30: Arrive at the east or west gate of Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance through the official platform or a third-party platform (such as Trip.com). 09:30 - 11:00: Enter from the east gate and walk or take a sightseeing bus (CNY 20/person) to the Usnisa Temple. Visit the Usnisa Temple and experience the solemnity and tranquility of Buddhist culture. 11:00 - 12:00: Continue to the Usnisa Pagoda, climb the pagoda, and enjoy the natural scenery of Niushoushan. Noon 12:00 - 13:00: Have lunch at a restaurant in the scenic area and taste Nanjing specialties, such as salted duck and duck blood vermicelli soup. Afternoon 13:00 - 14:30: Go to the Usnisa Palace and visit the magnificent architecture and Buddhist culture exhibition. The Usnisa Palace is divided into a large dome and a small dome, with six floors underground and three floors above ground, which is very spectacular. 14:30 - 16:00: Visit the Usnisa Front Garden and Usnisa Cliff, and enjoy the natural scenery and Buddhist cultural relics. 16:00 - 17:00: Free activities in the scenic area. You can choose to take a walk by Yinlong Lake and enjoy the lake and mountain scenery. 3. Ticket information Ticket price: Adult ticket CNY 160 (CNY 145 if booked one day in advance), student ticket CNY 80. Discount policy: Children aged 6 and under or with a height of 1.4 meters and under are free of charge. Seniors aged 70 and over are free of charge. Opening hours: 08:30 - 17:30. 4. Transportation guide Bus: Take bus No. 754, 755, 712, G5, or G70, and get off at Niushoushan Scenic Area Station. Subway: Take subway line S1 to Focheng West Road Station, and take the scenic area shuttle bus or bus to Niushoushan Scenic Area after exiting the station. Self-driving: Navigate to “Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone”, and there is a parking lot in the scenic area. 5. Notes Book in advance: It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance to avoid queuing on site. Wear comfortable clothes: It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes for walking. Sun protection: The sun is strong on the mountain, so you need to take sun protection measures. Civilized tour: Protect the environment, do not litter, and respect Buddhist culture.