Explore Niushou Mountain, a scenic spot where history and culture intertwine.

Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone Full Guide | Explore Jinling's "Twin Peaks Holy Land", a Zen journey where Buddhist culture and landscape blend I. Basic Information • Location: No. 18, Ningdan Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province • Status: National 4A-level scenic spot, the birthplace of the Buddhist Zen Niutou Sect, enshrining the world's only existing Buddha's skull relic • Tickets: CNY 98 for adults (CNY 88 if purchased online 1 day in advance), CNY 20/trip for the scenic area's electric car • Opening Hours: 08:30-17:30 (last admission at 16:30, Fo Ding Palace closes at 17:00) • Recommended Visit Duration: 4-6 hours (core area + hiking) • Best Seasons: Spring (March-May for cherry blossoms) and Autumn (October-November for autumn leaves). For summer heat avoidance, it is recommended to enter the park early. II. Transportation Guide • Self-driving: Navigate to "Niushou Mountain East Gate parking lot". Parking fee is CNY 6/hour. It is recommended to arrive before 9:00 on weekends. • Subway: Nanjing Subway Line S1 to "Hohai University/Focheng West Road" Station → Take a taxi for 10 minutes to the East Gate (approx. CNY 15) • Bus: Bus 754/712 to "Niushou Mountain Scenic Area East" Station • Transportation within the scenic area: ◦ Electric Car: East Gate → Fo Ding Temple Station (CNY 10), Fo Ding Temple → Fo Ding Palace (CNY 10) ◦ Hiking Route: East Gate → Fo Ding Temple → Fo Ding Palace (approx. 40 minutes, cool green shade path) III. Must-Visit Attractions 1. Fo Ding Palace (Core Area) • Exterior: A giant lotus flower supports the Fo Ding Bone Relic Underground Palace, blending modern design with traditional Zen • Internal Highlights: ◦ Zen Realm Grand View: 360-degree surrounding reclining Buddha, the top light-transmitting dome changes with the light ◦ Relic Treasure Palace: Thousand Buddha Hall + Ten Thousand Buddha Corridor, the Buddha's skull relic is open for 21 days each year (first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, etc., check the announcement in advance) ◦ Buddhist Art Museum: Exhibits Buddhist art treasures, the "Bodhi Gate" at the entrance has beautiful light and shadow 2. Fo Ding Pagoda • Tang Dynasty-style nine-story pagoda, climb to the top to overlook the panoramic view of Niushou Twin Peaks and Fo Ding Palace (the murals in the tower "History of Niutou Zen" are worth a closer look) 3. Fo Ding Temple • Seven-Hall Chinese Buddhist Temple, feed koi in front of the Grand Hall, experience Zen meditation with morning bells and evening drums (can book sutra copying) 4. Hidden Dragon Lake • A secret place at the foot of the mountain, the Fo Ding Palace is reflected in the lake, suitable for evening walks or picnics 5. Zheng He Cultural Park • Commemorating the Zheng He Tomb site, visit history in the bamboo forest path IV. Classic Route Recommendations • Half-Day Buddhist Pilgrimage Route (enter from the East Gate): Fo Ding Palace → Fo Ding Pagoda → Fo Ding Temple → Hidden Dragon Lake → Return trip • One-Day Deep Tour Route: East Gate → Fo Ding Temple (hiking) → Fo Ding Palace → Fo Ding Pagoda → Zheng He Cultural Park → Yue Fei's Anti-Jin Fortress → Peach Blossom Stream • Photography Hot Spot Route: East Gate electric car directly to Fo Ding Palace → Thousand Buddha Hall light and shadow → Panoramic view of Fo Ding Pagoda → Hidden Dragon Lake reflection → Peach Blossom Stream Spring Cherry Blossoms V. Surrounding Joint Play • Jinling Small Town (west side of Niushou Mountain): Night view lighting Tang-style town, wear Hanfu to take photos of the same style as "A Dream of Splendor" (joint tickets are more cost-effective) • Yinxing Lake Paradise (20-minute drive): The first choice for family trips, ecological area + amusement facilities • Nanjing City: Grand Bao'en Temple Relics Park (Buddhist culture linkage), Confucius Temple night tour VI. Niushou Mountain on the Tip of the Tongue • Dining in the scenic area: ◦ Fo Ding Palace Vegetarian Restaurant: CNY 68/person buffet, recommended vegetarian abalone and mushroom soup ◦ Yicha Yishu (Fo Ding Palace Store): Zen coffee shop, osmanthus latte + vegetarian snacks • Surrounding Recommendations: ◦ Guli Street: 10-minute drive, taste Dongshan old goose and Lulang dried tea ◦ Jiangning University Town: Wending Square Night Market, plum blossom cake, live pearl (local dark cuisine challenge) VII. Accommodation Guide • High-end Zen Meditation: ◦ Niushou Mountain Hilton Hotel: Next to the scenic spot, Zen design swimming pool (CNY 1,000+/night) ◦ Yongshangchun·Chaye Hot Spring Hotel: Private soup + mountain view, suitable for couples (CNY 1,500+/night) • Economic Preferred: ◦ Niushou Mountain Yin Yuan Homestay: Near Fo Ding Temple, simple Chinese style (CNY 400-600/night) • City Accommodation: Xinjiekou/Confucius Temple subway line, convenient for visiting other attractions the next day VIII. Practical Tips 1. Ticket Discounts: Half price for students/seniors, Nanjing Garden Annual Card is free (need to link in advance) 2. Dress Recommendations: The Fo Ding Palace has sufficient indoor air conditioning, prepare a thin coat; wear comfortable shoes for climbing the stairs of the Fo Ding Pagoda 3. Staggered Peak Tour: Large crowds on weekends, it is recommended to enter on a working day or at 8:30 when the park opens 4. Photo Taboos: Do not use flash for Buddha statues in Fo Ding Palace, and photography is prohibited in the Relic Treasure Palace 5. Buddhist Etiquette: Do not make loud noises when entering the temple, you can watch the Dharma assembly quietly but do not participate casually 6. Night Tour Easter Egg: There is a light show in Fo Ding Palace during holidays (separate ticket sales) Niushou Mountain is not just a mountain, but also a Zen dialogue spanning thousands of years. Whether you come for faith or are intoxicated by the landscape, here you can temporarily leave the hustle and bustle and return your heart to nature. 🍃🪷