Zhongshan Scenic Area boasts unparalleled beauty, offering a picturesque panorama of mountains.

2025 Nanjing Zhongshan Scenic Area Complete Guide (Including the Latest Tips to Avoid Tourist Traps) 📍 Scenic Area Overview Zhongshan Scenic Area, a national 5A-rated tourist attraction, is located at the foot of the Purple Mountain in eastern Nanjing. Encompassing core attractions such as the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, Meiling Palace, the Music Stage, and Linggu Temple, it integrates natural landscapes, historical relics, and cultural attractions, earning it the reputation of "Jinling Pearl." The following guide, incorporating the latest information from 2025, will help you efficiently navigate Zhongshan. 📅 Best Time to Visit • Spring (March–May): Plum Blossom Mountain's tens of thousands of plum blossoms are in full bloom (March), the stone statues road at the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is adorned with cherry blossoms like snow (April), and the fresh green of the dawn redwood trees is reflected in Yanque Lake, making it ideal for photography and hiking. • Autumn (September–November): The "most beautiful 600 meters" of the stone statues road is golden with ginkgo leaves, the necklace of plane trees at Meiling Palace is romantic, and Linggu Temple is ablaze with red maple leaves. October is the best time for viewing. • Summer (June–August): Linggu Temple's Beamless Hall offers respite from the heat, and flocks of white doves fly at the Music Stage. Winter (December–February): The snow-covered Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum is majestic, and the frozen Liuhui Pavilion Lake is like a mirror. Tip: There are fewer crowds on working day mornings or evenings. Arrive early (before 7:30 am) on holidays. 🚗 Transportation Guide • External Transportation: ◦ High-speed Rail/Airplane: Nanjing South Railway Station/Lukou International Airport → Subway Line 1, transfer to Line 2 to Muxuyuan Station (Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Gate 3) or Xiamafang Station (Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum), approx. 40 mins. ◦ Driving: Huning Expressway leads directly to the scenic area. Parking at Linggu Temple and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum costs 5–15 CNY/hr. Parking spaces are limited during holidays; it is recommended to arrive before 8:30 am. • Internal Transportation: ◦ Sightseeing Bus: One-way 10 CNY/person, unlimited day pass 30 CNY/day, connecting all attractions (recommended). ◦ Walking/Cycling: Core attractions are about 1–3 km apart. Lingyuan Road and Linggu Temple Road are suitable for cycling (e-bike rentals outside the scenic area are approx. 50 CNY/day). 📸 Must-See Attractions and Activities 1. Cultural Core Area: • Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum: A World Cultural Heritage site. Must-see attractions include the stone statues road (direct access from Gate 5), the civil and military officials statues road, and the Precious Crest. Experience the grandeur of the Ming Dynasty imperial mausoleum. • Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum: Free admission, reservation required. Climb the 392 steps to the top for a panoramic view of Nanjing. Take a photo with the "2D limited edition skin" while the Sacrificial Hall is under renovation. • Meiling Palace: A Republican-era villa known as the "Far East's First Mansion." Enjoy an aerial view of the plane tree necklace. The interior has been restored to recreate the lives of Chiang Kai-shek and his wife. • Linggu Temple: Climb the Beamless Hall and Linggu Pagoda for distant views. Enjoy the fragrance of osmanthus flowers in autumn and experience the vegetarian cuisine (15 CNY/serving). 2. Nature and Photography: • Music Stage: White doves circling against the backdrop of classical architecture. It is recommended to visit before 9 am or after 3 pm to avoid crowds. • Yanque Lake: The dawn redwood forest is beautiful in all seasons. The red and yellow reflections in autumn resemble an oil painting (next to Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Gate 3). • Plane Tree Avenue (Lingyuan Road): Dappled sunlight filters through the trees in the morning, creating a golden tunnel in autumn. Walking or cycling is ideal for capturing photos. 3. Special Experiences: • Cultural Study: Movable type printing at the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Museum (50 CNY/session), Republican culture exhibition at Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum. • Night Activities: Firefly bamboo raft drifting on Yanque Lake in summer (new project), prayer lantern festival at Linggu Temple in winter. 🍜 Food Recommendations • Inside the Scenic Area: ◦ Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum Tea House (vegetarian goose, Yuhua tea), Meiling Palace Cafe (Republican-themed afternoon tea). ◦ Linggu Temple vegetarian noodles (10 CNY/bowl), "Mountainside Restaurant" in the Plum Blossom Valley of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (bamboo rice, wild vegetable soup). • Nearby Time-Honored Brands: ◦ Nanjing Dapaidang (salted duck, duck blood vermicelli soup), Wang's Wonton (east gate of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum), average cost 30–50 CNY. 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations • High-end Options Inside the Scenic Area: ◦ Zijin Mountain Villa (near Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, lake view rooms), Zhongshan International Youth Hostel (artistic style, preferred by backpackers). • Cost-effective Options: ◦ B&Bs near Muxuyuan subway station (10-min walk to the scenic area, average price 200–300 CNY/night). Tip: Book 1 month in advance during peak season (spring and autumn). Day trips back to the city are an option during off-season. ⚠️ Tourist Traps and Precautions 1. Tickets and Reservations: • Combined ticket 100 CNY (includes Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum + Meiling Palace + Music Stage + Linggu Temple), half price for students/seniors, free admission to Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum with reservation. • Reservation Channels: WeChat official accounts "Nanjing Zhongshan Scenic Area" and "Zhongshan Mausoleum Administration," recommended to book 3 days in advance. 2. Consumption Traps: • Rickshaw drivers overstate distances (30 CNY/lap, negotiable), refuse unofficial tour guides offering expensive explanations. 3. Safety and Etiquette: • Wear non-slip shoes on rainy days as the stone steps can be slippery; do not touch the brick carvings on ancient buildings, maintain a solemn atmosphere in the mausoleum area. 📝 Recommended Itinerary • 1-Day Highlights Tour: 7:30 am Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Gate 5 → Stone Statues Road → Civil and Military Officials Statues Road → Meiling Palace → 10:30 am Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum → Music Stage → Linggu Temple → Return. • 2-Day In-depth Tour: Day 1: Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (Stone Statues Road + Yanque Lake) → Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum → Music Stage; Day 2: Linggu Temple → Liuhui Pavilion → Purple Mountain Observatory → Night tour of the Qinhuai River. • Photography Route: Early morning Lingyuan Road → Yanque Lake → Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Sacred Way → Liuhui Pavilion → Linggu Pagoda sunset. Other Tips: • Download an offline map of the scenic area (weak signal in some areas), bring 200 CNY in cash. • Wear comfortable athletic shoes (average 15,000 steps per day). Hanfu/plain-colored clothing is more photogenic.