Enjoy Autumn at Qixia Mountain in Jinling

Qixia Mountain in Nanjing is renowned as the "Number One Scenic Mountain in Jinling" and is famous for its profound cultural heritage described as "One Qixia Mountain, Half of Jinling's History." Located in the northeast suburbs of Nanjing, this scenic area is not only one of China's four major red leaf viewing spots but also combines ancient temples, unique rock formations, and views of the Yangtze River, making it a must-visit destination when traveling to Nanjing. This guide will help you fully appreciate the charm of Qixia Mountain. 🍁 Complete Travel Guide to Nanjing Qixia Mountain 📌 Basic Information Address: No. 88 Qixia Street, Qixia District, Nanjing Scenic Area Level: National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction, National Forest Park Main Peak Elevation: 313 meters Famous Titles: "Number One Scenic Mountain in Jinling," "Jinling's Premier Scenic Mountain" Opening Hours and Tickets Item Details Opening Hours Open year-round, generally from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with some seasons opening as early as 6:00 AM Regular Ticket Weekday adult ticket about 50 RMB/person (varies by platform and season, reference price 40-50 RMB) Red Maple Festival Ticket During the Red Maple Festival (usually October to December), adult ticket about 80 RMB/person Special Offer Enter before 6:30 AM for free admission (mainly for morning exercisers) Best Visiting Seasons 1. Autumn (October to December): The most famous season for Qixia Mountain, especially mid to late November when over 60% of the leaves turn red, creating a spectacular scene. The Red Maple Festival is held during this period, usually lasting about 50 days. 2. Spring (March to May): Peach blossoms cover the hills, fewer crowds, and a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for flower viewing and avoiding crowds. 3. Summer: Enjoy the serene and charming mountain forest scenery. 4. Winter: Cold but quiet, perfect for appreciating cultural relics in peace. 🚗 Transportation Guide Public Transport 1. Bus: Take bus 206 or the Nanqi line directly from Nanjing Station, or take Metro Line 2 to Xuezhe Road Station and transfer to bus 138 to Qixia Temple Station. 2. Metro + Bus: Take Metro Line 1 to Nanjing Station, Line 3 to Xinzhuang Station, or Line 4 to Jubao Mountain Station, then transfer to bus 206 to Qixia Station. Self-Driving Navigate to "Qixia Mountain Scenic Area West Gate." Parking is available under the Fourth Bridge and at the Wufu Garden roundabout. Tip: During peak season, it is recommended to arrive before 7:00 AM to avoid traffic jams. 🗺 Recommended Tour Route Qixia Mountain’s attractions are widely spread, with tour times ranging from 1 hour to half a day. Below is an efficient one-day tour route covering the highlights of the scenic area. The diagram helps you visually understand the overall flow: ```mermaid flowchart TD Start[Qixia Mountain One-Day Tour] --> A[Mingjing Lake] A --> B[Qixia Temple] B --> C[Relic Pagoda] C --> D[Thousand Buddha Rock] D --> E[Red Leaf Valley] E --> F[Peach Blossom Lake] F --> G[Emperor Qin’s Riverside Spot] G --> H[Fengxiang Peak] H --> End[Return] ``` Morning: Cultural Relics Exploration 1. Mingjing Lake: The first scenic spot after entering from the west gate, featuring a pavilion in the lake connected to the shore by a nine-turn bridge with exquisite design. On chilly mornings, you might see mist rising from the lake, creating a fairyland-like scene. 2. Qixia Temple: Located east of Mingjing Lake, it is one of the "480 Temples of the Southern Dynasties" and the birthplace of the Chinese Buddhist Sanlun School. The temple has two ginkgo trees that turn golden in autumn, making for great photos. If you arrive early (around 6:00 AM), you can listen to monks chanting and experience Zen. 3. Relic Pagoda: About 18 meters tall, located not far east of Qixia Temple, with elegant and vivid bas-reliefs on its exterior walls. 4. Thousand Buddha Rock: Near the Relic Pagoda, built into the mountain with 294 Buddha niches and 515 Buddha statues, earning the name "Thousand Buddhas." It is known as the "Little Dunhuang" grotto group in southern China. Lunch Suggestion: Try vegetarian dishes at the Thousand Buddha Vegetarian Restaurant inside Qixia Temple, featuring unique flavors like shiitake mushrooms and vegetarian chicken. Recommended dishes include the Thousand Buddha Arhat Vegetarian Noodles (15 RMB) or vegetarian roast goose. Afternoon: Natural Scenery and Red Leaf Feast 1. Red Leaf Valley: One of Qixia Mountain’s most famous red leaf viewing areas, where chicken claw maples and sweet gums intertwine, creating a fiery tunnel of red and yellow leaves. 2. Peach Blossom Lake: There is a pavilion by the lake where you can use maple leaves as a foreground for beautiful photos. 3. Emperor Qin’s Riverside Spot: Climb high to overlook the Yangtze River; on clear days, you can see the rolling red waves of the mountains and the mighty river, offering a broad view. 4. Fengxiang Peak: The main peak of Qixia Mountain, at 313 meters elevation. The summit has a 360° panoramic viewing platform where you can capture the rare sight of "half the mountain green pines, half the mountain red leaves." Energy-Saving Tip: The scenic area offers electric shuttle cars operating in sections (10 RMB per segment). You can also choose the plank road to descend from the peak to save energy. 🏞 Route Options for Different Needs Besides the classic one-day tour route above, you can choose from the following based on your stamina and interests: 1. Easy Stroll Route (about 3 km) · Route: West Gate → Qixia Ancient Temple → Hushan Plank Road → Biyun Pavilion → Red Leaf Valley → Peach Blossom Lake → Exit · Suitable for: Families with children, elderly, or visitors with average stamina. · Highlights: Short and leisurely, covering the solemn Qixia Ancient Temple, the brilliant Red Leaf Valley, and the tranquil Peach Blossom Lake. 2. Challenge Route (about 5 km) · Route: West Gate → Qixia Ancient Temple → Peach Blossom Lake → Red Leaf Valley → Emperor Qin’s Riverside Spot → Taixu Pavilion → Exit · Suitable for: Visitors with good physical condition. · Highlights: Beautiful scenery with views of the Yangtze River and a sense of historical depth. 💡 Practical Tips 1. Off-Peak Free Admission: Enter before 6:30 AM for free admission, ideal for photography enthusiasts and budget-conscious travelers. 2. Route Avoidance: · Avoid choosing the "straight-up mountain plank road" alone, as it has fewer scenic spots and steep steps. · Recommended to take the "scenic shuttle road detour," which has dense red leaves and saves energy. 3. Equipment Suggestions: · Wear non-slip hiking shoes, as some stone steps may be slippery. · Bring a light jacket; it can be windy at the summit. · Prepare mosquito repellent; the forested area has many mosquitoes. · Photographers may bring a telephoto lens to capture the combination of pagoda shadows and red leaves beautifully. 4. Special Experiences: · Night Maple Viewing: During the Red Maple Festival, some areas may open for night tours, where illuminated red leaves look dreamlike. Check the official website for announcements. · Qianlong Relics Tour: Look for the Shamao Peak Imperial Stele, the ruins of the temporary palace, and other Qianlong-era inscribed stones. 5. Food Recommendations: · Vegetarian meals inside the temple: Thousand Buddha Vegetarian Restaurant’s Arhat Vegetarian Noodles (15 RMB), vegetarian roast goose. · Local flavors at the foot of the mountain: Crab roe soup dumplings and osmanthus sugar taro shoots in Qixia Ancient Town. Whether you come for the red leaves or to explore millennia-old cultural relics, Qixia Mountain will leave a deep impression with its unique charm. The morning Zen bell, the afternoon red waves, the evening river breeze—this mountain is worth waking up early for, pausing at, and falling in love with.