Nanjing April Travel Guide: Encountering the Spring of Jinling in the Willow Catkin

In April, Nanjing is like a poetic picture scroll, filled with the spring's vitality and vigor in the romantic atmosphere of willow catkins. From ancient temples and cherry blossoms to old houses and roses, from gorgeous tulips to quiet hydrangeas, every scene is worth savoring. The following is a Nanjing April travel guide to take you to appreciate the unique charm of this ancient city. ## Accommodation ### Confucius Temple-Qinhuai River Area - **Advantages**: Located in the center of Nanjing, the transportation is very convenient, there are many surrounding delicacies, and you can also enjoy the bright night view on both sides of the Qinhuai River at night. - **Recommended hotel**: Nanjing Jiunting Hotel Qinhuai River, the hotel decoration is simple and elegant, full of the charm of Jiangnan water town, and the service is very thoughtful. ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Exploring Jiming Temple Cherry Blossoms and the Charm of the Ancient City - **Morning**: After arriving in Nanjing, go to the hotel to check in and take a rest. Then go to Jiming Temple. In April, the cherry blossom rain in Jiming Temple has not yet dissipated, and the pink and white cherry blossom petals fall like snow, adding a dreamy atmosphere to this ancient temple. Tickets are CNY 10/person. After visiting Jiming Temple, you can also walk along the mountain road and overlook the beautiful scenery of Nanjing city from a high place. - **Noon**: After coming out of Jiming Temple, walk to Baiweizhai Restaurant to taste Nanjing's special delicacies, such as Nanjing roast duck, Meiling porridge, and salted duck. - **Afternoon**: Go to Nanjing Museum, one of the three major museums in China. It has a rich collection of historical relics and works of art, which can let you deeply understand the history and culture of China. Free admission, make an appointment in advance on the official website or official account. - **Evening**: Enjoy dinner at Xinjiekou near the museum, where various gourmet restaurants gather. After dinner, you can stroll around the night view of Xinjiekou and feel the prosperity of Nanjing. ### Day 2: Strolling on Yihe Road, Encountering Romantic Roses and the Beauty of Art - **Morning**: After breakfast, take the subway to Yihe Road. Yihe Road is a famous historical and cultural block in Nanjing, with many old houses of different styles. At this time, roses have climbed onto the outer walls of the old houses, and the pink and tender flowers complement the European style of the old buildings, as if you are in a European town. Stroll along Yihe Road, admire these beautiful scenery, and visit some unique cultural and creative shops and art studios to feel the artistic atmosphere of Nanjing. - **Noon**: Enjoy lunch at a small restaurant near Yihe Road and taste Nanjing's authentic snacks, such as duck blood vermicelli soup and plum blossom cake. - **Afternoon**: Go to Jiangsu Art Museum, where various art exhibitions are often held, which is a paradise for art lovers. Free admission, you can learn about the exhibition information on the official website or official account in advance, and plan your visit time reasonably according to the exhibition arrangement. - **Evening**: After enjoying dinner at a restaurant near the art museum, you can go to the 1912 block near Wutaishan Stadium, where there are many bars and restaurants, which is a gathering place for Nanjing's nightlife. You can relax here and enjoy the night in Nanjing. ### Day 3: Indulge in the Tulip and Hydrangea Flower Sea of the Botanical Garden - **Morning**: After breakfast, take the subway to Zhongshan Botanical Garden. Zhongshan Botanical Garden is the first national botanical garden in China, with rich vegetation and scenery in all seasons. In April, the tulips in Zhongshan Botanical Garden are as gorgeous as oil paintings. Large areas of yellow, pink, and purple tulips are in full bloom, which is very beautiful. Tickets are CNY 30/person. After admiring the tulips, you can stroll in the garden and admire other rare plants. - **Noon**: Enjoy lunch at the restaurant or snack stall in the botanical garden, taste simple meals, and replenish energy. - **Afternoon**: Go to the Hydrangea Garden, where there are various hydrangeas. The hydrangea flowers are clustered together and colorful. Find a comfortable place under the hydrangea tree at Wuchao Gate, spread out a picnic mat, and enjoy a pleasant picnic. You can also take photos to record this wonderful moment. - **Evening**: Return to the hotel to pack your luggage and end your pleasant trip to Nanjing. ## Food Recommendations - **Special snacks**: duck blood vermicelli soup, salted duck, Meiling porridge, plum blossom cake, Longpao soup dumplings, etc. - **Restaurant recommendation**: - **Guimanlong**: A well-known time-honored restaurant in Nanjing, specializing in Huaiyang cuisine, with exquisite dishes and delicious taste. - **Li Ji Muslim Restaurant**: Nanjing's time-honored Muslim restaurant, pot stickers and beef soup are very popular. ## Transportation Guide - **Public transportation**: Nanjing's public transportation is very developed, and subway and bus lines cover a wide area, which can easily reach various attractions. - **Taxi**: If time is tight or you have a lot of luggage, you can also choose to take a taxi. ## Precautions - The weather in Nanjing in April is changeable, so it is recommended to bring rain gear and suitable clothing in case of unexpected needs. - There are many tourists in Zhongshan Botanical Garden and Nanjing Museum and other attractions, so it is recommended to book tickets in advance to avoid delaying the itinerary. - When tasting Nanjing cuisine, pay attention to food hygiene and avoid eating too much raw and cold food.