A Guide to Spring Flower Viewing at Xuanwu Lake

Spring in Nanjing is hidden in the sea of flowers at Xuanwu Lake. From the proud plum blossoms in the snow to the cloud-like cherry blossoms and the dazzling tulips, this is a world of flowers and the most romantic poem in spring. Today, we offer you a super detailed guide to flower viewing at Xuanwu Lake. Save it now! 📍Address: No. 1 Xuanwu Lane, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 🎫Tickets: Free! Free! Free! This is great news for flower lovers! ⏰Opening hours: Open all day, but it is recommended to visit between 9am and 5pm for the best lighting and photos. 🚗Transportation 🚇Subway: Line 1, Xuanwumen Station, Exit 3. Walk 5 minutes to the Xuanwumen entrance, suitable for viewing cherry blossoms in Yingzhou Island; Line 3, Nanlin Xinzhuang Station, Exit 2b, entrance to Lovers' Garden, suitable for viewing camellias, tulips, etc.; Line 3 or Line 4, Jiming Temple Station, Exit 5, enter from Jiefangmen, quick access to Lingzhou Island and Yingzhou Island. 🚌Bus: Many bus routes are available, such as No. 20, No. 24, and No. 304. Check map software for details. 🚕Taxi: Directly locate "Xuanwu Lake Park," convenient and fast, but there may be traffic jams on holidays. 🌸Flowering periods and viewing locations Mid-February to mid-March: Plum blossoms 📍Location: Lakeside of Liangzhou Island, near the Bonsai Garden. There is a popular lonely plum tree with Nanjing Railway Station in the background, blooming by the lake, creating a poetic scene. Late February to early March: Camellias 📍Location: Camellia Garden in Lovers' Garden. Red, pink, and white camellias make a perfect backdrop for portraits. Early March to April: Cherry blossoms 📍Location: Cherry Garden. These are not cherry blossoms but cherry apple blossoms, which will bear fruit after the flowers wither. There are red ancient-style buildings in the garden, perfect for taking photos in Hanfu. Mid-to-late March: Cherry blossoms 📍Location: Yingzhou Island, next to the Camellia Garden in Lovers' Garden. Xuanwu Lake has nearly 4,300 cherry trees, mainly Somei Yoshino cherry trees, as well as double-flowered cherry trees and weeping cherry trees. When in full bloom, they look like clouds and snow, extremely romantic. Mid-to-late March - mid-April: Tulips/Double-flowered tulips 📍Location: Lovers' Garden, double-flowered tulips are in the green belt along the main road by the lake at the Xuanwu Gate. Tulips of various colors gather together, like God's overturned palette. Early April: Wisteria 📍Location: Lakeside Listening to the Wind in Lovers' Garden; Wisteria Corridor in Liangzhou Island, near Lansheng Tower. The purple flower waterfall makes you feel like you are in a fairy tale world. Early April: Sinojackia xylocarpa 📍Location: Fangqiao Bridge, Tongzibai Guanyin Stone. This is a national treasure flower, very rare, and you are very lucky to see it in Xuanwu Lake. Mid-April: Rosa banksiae 📍Location: Mainly in the Rose Garden on Huanzhou Island, both yellow and white Rosa banksiae are available; white Rosa banksiae on Lingzhou Island blooms a few days later. The fragrance is refreshing. Late April - early May: Roses 📍Location: Rose Garden. In the same place as Rosa banksiae, there are also roses and floribunda roses, full of spring romance. 📸Photo spots Yingzhou Island Corridor: The winding corridor with cherry blossom tunnels is perfect for taking photos from below or through the branches, creating an ancient vibe. Fangqiao Bridge Lakeside: Capture the reflection of cherry blossoms and Xuanwu Lake. The afternoon sunlight is the best, with sparkling lake water, making every shot a masterpiece. Church Lawn in Lovers' Garden: The European-style church, cherry trees, and Ferris wheel make a perfect backdrop for Japanese-style fresh photos. Ming City Wall Scenic Area: Overlook the cherry blossoms and lake view from the city wall, a unique perspective blending ancient and modern elements (city wall tickets are 30 yuan, but definitely worth it). 🍱Food recommendations There are some snack stalls in the scenic area, such as grilled sausages, stinky tofu, and cotton candy. If you want a proper meal, it is recommended to go to Jinmao Place or Tongjia Alley after exiting Xuanwu Gate, where you can find Nanjing specialties such as duck blood vermicelli soup, salted duck, and soup dumplings. ❗Tips Try to avoid weekends and holidays for fewer crowds and better photo opportunities. Bring sun protection, such as hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The spring sun is good, but it can also cause sunburn. Wear comfortable shoes, as the scenic area is large and requires a lot of walking. Appreciate the flowers responsibly and do not pick them, so that the beautiful scenery can last longer. Come and enjoy the flowers at Xuanwu Lake this spring!