Located in eastern Nanjing, the 45km² Zhongshan Scenic Area encompasses Purple Mountain, Xuanwu Lake, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and other key sites. As a national 5A-level attraction integrating "mountains, waters, city and forests", it boasts 200+ historical relics and is hailed as "the Pearl of Jinling".
History & Culture
Historical Origins
- Geological: Formed 300 million years ago, peak elevation 448.9m
- Humanistic: Imperial gardens and temples since Six Dynasties
- Modern: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum built in 1928
Cultural Features
- Imperial: 20+ royal tombs including Ming Xiaoling
- Republican: Architectural complex like Music Terrace
- Buddhist: Ancient temples including Linggu Temple
Main Attractions
Key Sites
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: 392 steps symbolize 390 million citizens
- Ming Xiaoling: Tomb of Ming founder Zhu Yuanzhang, UNESCO site
- Linggu Temple: Established in Liang Dynasty, famous pine scenery
Natural Landscapes
- Purple Mountain Observatory: China's first modern observatory
- Plum Blossom Hill: World's top 3 plum viewing spots (30,000+ trees)
- Zixia Lake: Man-made lake with seasonal beauty
Unique Experiences
Cultural Activities
- Ming Culture Festival: April imperial ceremony reenactments
- Memorial Events: Sun Yat-sen commemorative ceremonies
- Buddhist Rituals: Major festivals at Linggu Temple
Nature Activities
- Mountain Hiking: 4 trails of varying difficulty
- Lakeside Cycling: 9.8km Xuanwu Lake loop
- Stargazing: Observatory public viewing events
Practical Information
Opening Hours
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: 08:30-17:00 (Closed Mondays)
- Ming Xiaoling: 06:30-18:30 (extended to 19:00 in peak season)
- Linggu Temple: 07:00-17:30
Tickets
- Combo Ticket: ¥100 (Ming Xiaoling, Music Terrace, Linggu Temple)
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: Free (reservation required)
- Cable Car: ¥60 one-way, ¥100 round-trip
Transportation
- Metro: Line 2 to Muxuyuan (Ming Xiaoling) or Xiamafang (Mausoleum)
- Bus: Tourist Lines 1/2, Route 20 etc.
- Drive: Multiple parking lots (crowded on weekends)
Tips
- Allocate 1-2 days for thorough exploration
- Wear comfortable shoes for extensive walking
- Spring/autumn are best; summer requires sun protection
- Book Mausoleum tickets 1-7 days in advance online