Nanjing Xuanwu Lake Flower Viewing Guide | Embrace the romance of spring and avoid the crowds

🌸 Nanjing Xuanwu Lake Flower Viewing Guide | Embrace the romance of spring and avoid the crowds!🍃 "Half a city of flowers reflected in a spring lake, Nanjing is most beautiful in April" As a top spring destination in Nanjing, Xuanwu Lake boasts over 4,300 cherry blossoms, over 2,300 plum blossoms, and tulips, wisterias, and jasmines blooming in succession. From February to May, it's a sea of flowers! Compared to the crowded Jiming Temple, Xuanwu Lake offers scenic beauty with fewer crowds, where the lake and flowers complement each other, making every photo a masterpiece📸. This comprehensive guide will help you unlock the best flower viewing routes! 🌸 【Flowering Schedule】 - Mid to late February: Plum blossoms are in full bloom, and the fragrance of Liangzhou "Plum Blossom Island" fills the air. - Mid-March to mid-April: Early cherry blossoms → mid-season cherry blossoms → late cherry blossoms take turns to bloom, turning Yingzhou into a pink cloud. - April: Wisteria waterfalls, jasmine flower walls, and tulip seas. - May: Roses and Chinese roses take over, and the church lawn in Lovers' Garden is incredibly romantic. 📍 【Must-See Flower Viewing Spots】 1️⃣ Yingzhou | Main venue for cherry blossoms, with 4,300 cherry trees blooming in three phases: early, mid, and late. - Early cherry blossoms (early March): Kawazu-zakura and Somei-yoshino, as pink as clouds. - Mid-season cherry blossoms (late March): Somei-yoshino, classic pink flower sea. - Late cherry blossoms (early April): Ukon (rare green cherry blossoms) and Kanzan. 📸 Photo spots: Low-angle shots from the benches on Cherry Blossom Avenue, reflections in the lake. 2️⃣ Liangzhou | Plum Blossom Island + the 600-year-old "Plum King". - Nanjing red plums and white plums intertwine, creating a stunning plum blossom tunnel. - Popular photo spot: "The loneliest plum tree" × Nanjing Railway Station in the same frame. 3️⃣ Lovers' Garden | Wisteria × Church, the ultimate romantic spot. - In April, wisteria cascades like a waterfall, creating a picturesque scene with the Zifeng Tower in the background. - Picnic on the lawn + tulip fields, pretend you're in Holland. 4️⃣ Ming City Wall along the lake | Cherry blossoms × Ancient city wall. - From Jiefang Gate to Xuanwu Gate, there are fewer people and more flowers, making it a holy place for Hanfu photography. 5️⃣ Fangqiao | A hidden gem for late cherry blossoms, with beautiful lake and flower scenery. - Green cherry blossoms "Ukon" paired with wisteria, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere. 🚶‍♀️ 【3 Less-Crowded Routes】 🌸 Classic Cherry Blossom Route (March-April) Jiefang Gate → Lingzhou → Yingzhou → Fangqiao → Lovers' Garden - Enter the park before 7 am to enjoy the cherry blossoms by the lake without the crowds. - Stop by Liangzhou to see the wisteria (April). 🌿 Plum Blossom + Cherry Blossom Dual Flower Route (February-March) Xuanwu Gate → Liangzhou Plum Blossom Island → Cuihong Causeway → Yingzhou - Enjoy plum blossoms from the water: Take a boat to see the reflections of plum blossoms. 🌙 Night Cherry Blossom Route (Weekends only) Xuanwu Gate → Yingzhou Light Show → Lingzhou Night Market - Lights turn on after 6 pm, and the cherry blossoms sparkle like stars. 🍡 【Limited-Time Experiences】 - Cherry blossom ice cream: Available only at Yingzhou Cultural and Creative Store (matcha/strawberry flavor). - Plum blossom tea party: Enjoy Nanjing Yuhuacha tea at Liangzhou Plum Slope. - Bird watching boat tour: Encounter black swans and Eurasian coots (Xuanwu Gate Wharf). 💡 【Practical Tips】 ✓ Transportation: Subway Line 3/4, Jiming Temple Station Exit 5 → Enter through Jiefang Gate (least crowded). ✓ Tickets: Free! But boat rides/amusement park projects are charged separately. ✓ Outfit: Light-colored dress + straw bag, perfect for photos with cherry blossoms. ✓ Avoid: Weekday afternoons are crowded, it is recommended to visit before 8 am or on a working day. Cherry blossoms fall at a speed of five centimeters per second, and I want to spend the whole spring with you at Xuanwu Lake.