The Most Beautiful 600 Meters in Nanjing - The Sacred Way of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

Nanjing's Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is one of the largest imperial tombs, and also one of the most beautiful places to visit in autumn in Nanjing. The 615-meter-long Sacred Way is lined with pairs of massive stone animals - lions, xiezhi (mythical creatures), camels, elephants, qilins, and horses, kneeling and standing. They have quietly witnessed over 600 years of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, silently guarding the path and observing the cycle of seasons. I was first amazed by the spring of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum when I came here in April 2021, it was like an overturned palette, dazzling with colors that intoxicate the heart. In the golden autumn of November 2023, I visited the Sacred Way again, seeing the red leaves like fire, the yellow leaves like gold. The sunlight filtering through the leaves cast upon the ancient road, reflecting the vicissitudes of history. The short stretch of over 600 meters seemed to encapsulate the autumn of the entire Jinling city. The beauty of the Sacred Way lies not only in its natural splendor but also in its profound historical and cultural significance. A mere 600 meters, traversing 600 years, is indeed the most beautiful 600 meters in Nanjing. No matter the season, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum attracts countless visitors with its unique charm. 👍Highly recommended: Outside Gate 3 of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, there is a very secluded bald cypress forest by the Yanque Lake, which is as beautiful as an oil painting in autumn, with yellow and red interwoven to form a charming autumnal tapestry. 📝Note tips: Best viewing period: Early November - Early December, with the ginkgo leaves falling by the end of November, mid-November is the best time. 💰Admission: 70 RMB per person 🕙Opening hours: 7:00-17:30 open to the public. 🚉Transportation tips: Take Metro Line 1 or Line 2 to Xinjiekou Station, then transfer to Metro Line 10 to Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Station Bus: Tourist Bus 1, Tourist Bus 3