[2025 Nanjing Attraction] Travel Guide for Gulin Park (Updated Apr)

February to April, Nanjing·Jiangsu Plum Blossom Viewing and Photography Guide👇🏻 1. Dress Code: Moon white, bamboo green, raven black, and plain-colored cloaks complement the plum blossoms best. 2. Props Checklist: Mamian skirt, antique book scrolls, oil-paper umbrella, and celadon tea set. 3. Lighting: 7 am to 9 am for soft light capturing plum blossom details; after 4 pm for backlit "golden-edged" plum blossoms; after rain, the semi-wet bluestone paths reflect the flowers beautifully. 4. Scent Map: The clearest plum blossom fragrance is in the early morning, while the strongest is in the evening. Meihua Mountain offers a cold, crisp fragrance, while Gulin Park has a deep, rich scent. 5. Best Time for Plum Blossom Viewing: Early February to early April. Tag your travel buddy @ and head to these free plum blossom viewing spots in downtown Nanjing—Yuhua Tai Mei Gang, Gulin Park, Xuanwu Lake, Meihua Mountain, Fangcheng Minglou, and Honglou Art Garden! Avoid the crowds and enjoy secret spots that 99% of people miss. For special guides + free locations, check out Lvyu Yueshe Art Hostel (Nanjing Confucius Temple Branch).

A Hidden Oasis of Zen in Nanjing: Gulin Park In Nanjing, a city where historical charm intertwines with modern vibrancy, lies a hidden gem, a place resembling a paradise on earth. Quietly nestled on the north side of Qingliang Mountain in Gulou District, at 21 Huju North Road, is Gulin Park. While the city bustles with activity, Gulin Park, like a secluded hermit, watches over its approximately 400 acres, mostly lush greenery, offering a tranquil sanctuary for souls seeking respite from the hustle and bustle. Upon first hearing of Gulin Park, many might simply categorize it as just another ordinary city park. However, a closer look reveals its extraordinary nature. Built on the former site of Gulin Temple, from which it derives its name, the park's history traces back to the distant Liang Dynasty. Historical records indicate that Gulin Temple, originally known as Guanyin Nunnery, was founded by the eminent Liang Dynasty monk Baozhi. Monk Baozhi, a legendary figure in Buddhist history, profoundly influenced Buddhist thought and practice. Under his guidance, Guanyin Nunnery acquired an aura of mystique and sanctity. In that era of both turmoil and cultural flourishing, Guanyin Nunnery shone like a beacon of wisdom through the ages. Over time, it underwent several name changes, eventually settling on Gulin Temple, becoming a sacred place for Buddhist devotees and enriching the land with a profound cultural heritage. Stepping into Gulin Park is like entering a dreamlike world of green. The vast expanse of greenery is nature's most generous gift. In spring, tender green shoots emerge from the earth, interspersed with scattered wildflowers, like a carpet embroidered with blossoms. In summer, the lush foliage of the trees provides shade from the scorching sun, offering a cool retreat. Strolling along the paths, listening to the birdsong and feeling the gentle breeze, is incredibly pleasant. In autumn, maple leaves turn crimson, ginkgo leaves golden, and fallen leaves dance in the wind, adding a touch of poetic color to the park. In winter, Gulin Park, draped in silver, exudes a unique charm, its tranquil atmosphere bringing clarity to the mind. While the grand structures of Gulin Temple are no longer visible within the park, the Zen spirit cultivated over millennia has never dissipated. Every inch of land seems to whisper tales of the temple's former glory. Imagine the monks who practiced here centuries ago, amidst the morning bells and evening drums, the lingering sound of chanting—a scene of tranquility and harmony. Today, this tranquility still permeates every corner of the park, allowing visitors to find moments of peace amidst their busy lives. Gulin Park is not only a natural wonder but also a guardian of culture. Various cultural activities held here connect ancient traditions with modern life. Traditional calligraphy and painting exhibitions allow art enthusiasts to appreciate the beauty of art while enjoying the natural scenery. Folk activities promote the preservation and development of ancient folk arts, deepening people's understanding of Nanjing's traditional culture. For those living in this fast-paced era, Gulin Park serves as a sanctuary for the soul, offering a chance to slow down, appreciate the charm of traditional culture, and find inner peace. Gulin Park is more than just a recreational space; it's a living history book, a bridge connecting the past and the present. It has witnessed the rise and fall of Nanjing, carrying the memories and emotions of countless individuals. If you visit Nanjing, don't miss this hidden oasis of Zen tucked away in a corner of the city. Come here to experience the fusion of nature and culture, and find your own sense of wonder and tranquility within the flow of history.

🌈About the attraction: Gulin Park was built on the site of the former Gulin Temple, from which it derives its name. Gulin Temple was built during the Liang Dynasty and has undergone several periods of prosperity and decline. The park was approved for construction in 1981, opened to the public in 1984, and in 1992, it became China's third-largest peony and tree peony base. 🚗Getting there: Subway: Take Subway Line 4 or Line 7 to Caochangmen Station. Exit from Exit 5 and walk straight for 600 meters. - Bus: Several bus routes, including Route 532, stop at Gulin Park Station. 👍️Must-see attractions: Upon entering the park, you'll find Plum Blossom Hill, where various plum blossoms are planted, including red, pink, wintersweet, and white varieties. 💗Overall impression: Conveniently located and great for taking photos, the park attracts a moderate number of visitors. Due to the limited number of pavilions, terraces, and the absence of a lake, it is slightly less refined compared to the plum blossoms at Xuanwu Lake.

Nanjing's plum blossoms are world-famous and have been a popular destination for plum blossom viewing since ancient times. There are many places in Nanjing where you can appreciate plum blossoms, and the city flower of Nanjing is plum blossom, so going to Nanjing to see the plum blossoms in early spring is a very timely and elegant thing to do. There are many places to enjoy plum blossoms in Nanjing, mainly the following: 1. Plum Blossom Mountain Plum Blossom Mountain is located in the Zhongshan Mausoleum Scenic Area, within the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Scenic Area. Meihua Mountain is the most famous place in Nanjing for appreciating plum blossoms. It is large in scale, has many varieties, and is integrated with the surrounding scenery. Surrounding the area are scenic spots such as Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Linggu Temple, and Meiling Palace. The disadvantage is that there are many tourists and it is crowded during the peak tourist season. At the same time, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Scenic Area is very large, and it is quite difficult to visit all the surrounding attractions in one day. 2. Yuhuatai Meigang Yuhuatai Meigang is also a traditional place to appreciate plum blossoms, located in the Yuhuatai Scenic Area. It is characterized by being very quiet, secluded and elegant, suitable for quiet appreciation. No tickets are required for visiting Yuhuatai Scenic Area, and it is free to visit. The disadvantage is that it is a little far from the main urban area, and the number of plum blossoms planted in Meigang is not as many as those in Meihuashan. 3. Gulin Park Gulin Park is a relatively small park in Nanjing. It is free and does not require tickets. It is located near Nanjing Caochangmen. The plum blossoms in the park are planted along the hillside, high and low, in a staggered manner, echoing the pavilions, towers, rockery and ponds in the Jiangnan garden style. It is also a very beautiful and elegant place. There are very few tourists here, basically only Nanjing locals are here to have fun. 4. Pukou Bulao Village Bulao Village is located at the foot of Laoshan National Forest Park in Pukou District, Nanjing. It is dominated by original rural scenery and is a place for Nanjing locals to relax and have fun. The main tourist attraction is rural tourism, which includes camping, fishing, boating, mountain climbing and various parent-child activities. There are also many plum blossoms planted in Bulao Village, scattered near various scenic spots in the village, suitable for enjoying while strolling. As it is far away from the main urban area of ​​Nanjing, there are very few tourists from other places, and it is basically visited by local Nanjing people. The disadvantages are that the transportation is not very convenient and the location is relatively remote. [Cute] If you are traveling to Nanjing by car, you can go to Yuhuatai, Gulin Park, and Bulao Village to experience the leisure travel lifestyle of Nanjing locals. This way you can avoid the crowds of tourists and avoid the crowds. If you rely more on public transportation, it is recommended to go to Meihua Mountain in the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Scenic Area. You can take Nanjing Metro Line 2 to Xiamafang Station, and then take the scenic area transportation.

These hidden cherry blossom viewing spots are beautiful and uncrowded, perfect for taking photos! 1. Pukou Fast-growing Cherry Blossom Base A 500-mu sea of cherry blossoms! 150,000 cherry blossom trees stretch as far as the eye can see, making it a veritable "cherry blossom forest" in Nanjing. Every photo you take here is a picture of an unpeopled wonderland! 2. Flower God Avenue, Yuhuatai A niche spot with few people and beautiful scenery! 1,200 cherry blossom trees bloom along the road, making it the perfect place for a leisurely stroll and photos. 3. Fengchu Road A collision of modern urban vibes and cherry blossoms. The dark gray road and tall buildings in the background create a striking contrast, making every photo a "web celebrity blockbuster." 4. Sifang Art Museum A magical combination of art and cherry blossoms! A 100-meter cherry blossom path + a minimalist art museum, where you can even encounter cute alpacas. Avoid the crowds and take some Japanese-style photos in a perfect atmosphere! 5. Stone City Park A hidden cherry blossom path at the foot of the city wall! Stroll along the river, with pink cherry blossoms hanging low enough to touch. It's quiet and uncrowded, perfect for those who love ancient styles. 6. Gulin Park A hidden gem known only to locals! A few old cherry blossom trees create a canopy of blossoms, with strong branches and snow-like flowers. Entering through the side gate makes for even better photos. 7. Little Peach Garden Cherry blossoms herald spring even earlier than peach blossoms! Climb the ancient city wall at dawn or dusk for a panoramic view of the cherry blossom forest and the old city, a blend of everyday life and romance. 8. Cherry Blossom Garden in the depths of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Escape the crowds on the main road! A hidden garden jointly built by China and Japan, with 3,000 cherry blossom trees + ancient pavilions and stone lanterns. When the cherry blossoms fall, it's like traveling through Kyoto. 9. Jubao Hill Park A free and niche spot! Nearly 1,000 cherry blossom trees bloom along the stream, perfect for picnics and camping. Take unique photos with your kids without bumping into other people. 10. Tangshan Quarry Park Industrial ruins meet delicate cherry blossoms! The pink flower forest beneath the quarry's rock walls is a collision of hard and soft, perfect for magazine-worthy photos. **Travel Tips** ✅ Peak bloom: Mainly in mid-to-late March. Early cherry blossoms at Sifang Art Museum/Zhongshan Botanical Garden bloom at the end of February! ✅ Outfit color matching: Light-colored dresses + straw hats will transform you into a Japanese drama heroine in seconds. ✅ Off-peak hours: Before 8 am/after 4 pm, there are the fewest people and the light is softer! Save this "crowd avoidance guide" now!

The plum blossoms in Nanjing bloomed a little later than in previous years. 30% of the Meihua Hill in Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is open. Gulin Park is almost half open. Currently, about 40% of the Meigang in Yuhuatai is open. It is expected to enter the best viewing period in another week. Tips for viewing flowers at Meigang in Yuhuatai [Sakura]: Meigang is close to the north gate of Yuhuatai Scenic Area. After entering the gate, walk up the small path on the left. There are signs on the road. Meigang is not a big place, and it cannot be compared with the Plum Blossom Hill of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. When it is in full bloom, there may be more people than flowers. Those who have not been there should be mentally prepared. If you want to have fewer people, it is best to go before 8 am [1:00] [Shrine] Nanjing Yuhuatai Meigang Tickets: 💰 Free [Station] Transportation: Subway [One] Line Zhonghuamen Station, [Bus] Bus No. 304 Yuhua Taipei Gate Station

The plum blossoms are in bloom as shown in the picture, and are in a good viewing period. The photo was taken on February 12. The air quality was not very good today, so just take a look. Ticket information: Free, open all day from 8 am to 10 pm. Transportation information: Convenient for Line 4/7 subway, get off at Caocangmen, Nanjing University of the Arts, or Nanjing Normal University Station and walk a few hundred meters. It is not recommended to drive there on weekends, as the scenic area is not large and there are not many parking spaces. Photography: A phone is enough, but a phone/camera with a macro function is better.

Nanjing is really light 🥯 But a simple life also makes people feel at ease You can go to the riverside on weekends You can also find a coffee shop to relax. 1. Have a cup of coffee and wait for the sunset at the Capital Park 2. Waiting for the Yangtze River sunset at Yuzui Wetland 3. Take a ferry at Wumadu Square 4. Spend an afternoon at Starbucks in the financial district 5. Have a cup of coffee and read a book at Yuanxing Bookstore 6. Check out the specimens and bask in the sun at the National Geographic Museum 7. Hongshan Creative Park Citywalk - Feel the Quiet Atmosphere 8. Go shopping at the Changhong Road Flower Market and buy yourself a bunch of flowers 9. Take a walk along the river in Yanziji Park and experience Nanjing’s blues scene 10. Go to Gulin Park to discover the new rules of the park in 20 minutes 11. Order a cup of coffee at Wanxiang Bookstore and study for the whole afternoon 12. Take photos of small shops at random in Nanxiu Village Citywalk 13. Experience the local atmosphere of Nanjing and take photos of Nanjing at Xichanggan Park 14. Experience the park atmosphere and breathe fresh air at Green Expo Park 15. 1701 Have a glass of wine and spend a tipsy weekend listening to live folk music 16. Have a cup of pistachio latte at Kon in Xinjiekou to have a happy day 17. Have a cup of coffee at Nanfeng Cottage and stroll around the beautiful countryside to experience the beauty 18. See the Nanjing skyline from the 52F of the Golden Eagle Art Museum

Nanjing has an off-the-beaten-path route that you can check in for a whole day The Longjiang area is too beautiful, within a two-kilometer radius you can check in at many niche attractions, both cultural and scenic spots are beyond words, the key is that there are few people and it's great for taking photos, super suitable for a solo citywalk Recommended route Gulin Park➡Shuimu Qinhuai Cultural and Creative District➡Shitoucheng Park➡Qingliangmen City Gate➡Qingliangshan Park➡Li Jianchen Art Museum➡Hohai University➡Nanjing Normal University➡Yihe Road Mansions Area 【Little tips】 Gulin Park has free admission, and the park has fragrant flowers, peonies, and azaleas Shuimu Qinhuai Cultural and Creative District has many niche designer brands, where you can find many unique collectibles, and the key is that the prices are not expensive. The 'Mochou Tourism' by the river can also check in the Nanjing limited color set, and the fragrant wall is very photogenic, the key is that there are few people Shitoucheng Park is a heritage park from the time Sun Quan built the city, its unique Danxia landform by the river can reflect the pattern of a 'ghost face', which is quite magical, and it is also the filming location of the movie 'Lushan Love' Qingliangmen City Gate allows you to climb the Ming city wall, this section of the wall is particularly deserted, with lush vegetation, very suitable for relaxation, and the hydrangeas are just too beautiful when they bloom Qingliangshan Park, the red walls of Qingliang Temple are very photogenic, Chongzheng Academy is currently under renovation, otherwise, you could see Nanjing's most beautiful wooden hydrangeas, and in autumn the Ginkgo Valley is also absolutely stunning The spiral staircase in the library of Hohai University is particularly famous, it was the filming location of the movie 'To Our Youth', and requires reservation The Suiyuan Campus of Nanjing Normal University has always been a model of quaint architecture, and the magnolias were also incredibly beautiful recently The mansions area on Yihe Road is beautiful all year round, and even more so when the roses bloom

Nanjing's most treasured lesser-known park is none other than Gulin Park. In February there are plum blossoms, in March cherry blossoms, and now in April, it is the perfect time for peonies and fragrant yellowwood to bloom. The yellowwood is not only beautiful but also incredibly fragrant. However, this year's yellowwood will still need a few more days. Take advantage of the fact that not many people know about it yet, and come check in here! ▲ Flower viewing small tips ■ Gulin Park ■ Transportation: · Admission: Free Take a 10min walk from Exit 4 of the Grass Field Gate Station on Line 4 ■ Parking fee: Self-driving parking fee is 10 • There are two places in Gulin Park where the yellowwood blooms quite well, one is at the entrance of the Bonsai Garden, intertwined with wisteria, and the other is inside the Peony Garden, a very large yellowwood waterfall. · For photography, you can use some props, such as mirrors, hats, fans, etc., essentials for posing ■ Azaleas will also bloom one after another, and I will update the flower viewing guide later. If you like it, you can 'dian zan+guan zhu+shou cang'

April There are continuous seas of rhododendrons There are strings of wisteria flowers that bloom like waterfalls There are roses climbing all over the wall There is also a light yellow flower Among the green branches on the wall Develop unique vitality It's woody This time Gulin Park is not only home to the beautiful peonies Near the Peony Garden There are also a few yellow osmanthus flowers blooming vigorously. Densely packed small yellow flowers dotted among the green leaves Long branches hanging down to the ground Block the corridor tightly Like a yellow and green waterfall

Nanjing's park is severely underrated! The Michelia flowers in Nanjing seem to have all burst into bloom overnight, creating waterfalls of flowers everywhere, it's truly beautiful! This year, due to construction at Xuanwu Lake Rose Garden, I couldn't go there to take photos, so I recommend Gulou Park, which has a huge amount of flowers and seems to be even better than last year, with flowers trailing all the way to the ground. Photo taken on the afternoon of April 13th, it was quite crowded, but the morning would be even better. Gulou Park √No admission fee, accessible by bus, subway line 4 to Caochangmen South Art Station; parking is 20 yuan per time (not highly recommended). The Michelia flowers are near the north gate (Dinghuaimen), close to the Peony Garden, under the TV tower.

🌿 Gulin Park is not far from Caochangmen, next to Nanjing University of the Arts. It was originally the site of the ancient Lin Temple, which is named after the temple. The temple was first built during the Liang of the Southern Dynasties. After several ups and downs, by the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the ancient Lin Temple was in a state of disrepair and became a provincial horticultural farm in 1959. It was later approved for garden construction. 🌿 For people from other places, Gulin Park is not very famous. But it has mountains and water, rolling hills, high and low ravines, and a varied terrain that changes as you move. There are also several ponds (there used to be amusement facilities). There are various flowers, such as cherry blossoms, magnolias, plum blossoms, peonies, February orchids, etc., which are quite attractive to the citizens of Nanjing. There is also a bonsai garden, which is quite nice. 🌿 At the highest point of the park, the 'Sifang Bajing Pavilion' is built, covering an area of 575 square meters, with three main floors and double eaves. Visitors can climb up to the third-floor corridor to enjoy the 'Eight Views from All Sides'. This place forms an interesting contrast with the 300-meter-high TV transmission tower on Wangjia Mountain not far away. 🌿 This time it was a weekday visit, and there were not many tourists. On the north side of the park, there is a bonsai garden where you can enjoy the representative works of 'Jinling Bonsai'. At this time, it is also during the Nanjing International Plum Blossom Festival, and there is a 'Welcoming Spring Plum Bonsai Exhibition' worth seeing.