A City Full of Phoenix Trees in Nanjing

From November to December in Nanjing, you can enjoy the golden and brilliant phoenix tree leaves and may also encounter romantic snowy scenes, making it a great time for off-peak travel. Here is a travel guide: Recommended Attractions - Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: Free admission, open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, advance reservation required. Climb 318 steps to the top for a panoramic view of Nanjing city; the Bo'ai Archway under the sunset is especially poetic. - Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum: Off-season ticket price is 50 RMB. The phoenix tree leaves along the Sacred Way or the withered lotus contrasting with the red walls and yellow tiles create a charming scene. You can also walk to the Music Stage to feed pigeons. - Confucius Temple - Qinhuai River Scenic Area: Free admission. The essence is the night tour on the painted boat, which has air conditioning and offers beautiful views of lanterns reflecting on the snowy scenery along both riverbanks. - Qixia Mountain: One of China’s four best places to enjoy maple leaves. The best time is mid to late November. Early winter still has fiery red leaves, combined with the ancient Qixia Temple, creating stunning scenery. - Nanjing Museum: Free admission, reservation required 7 days in advance by 6:00 PM. Fewer visitors in the off-season allow you to leisurely appreciate bronze ware, Ming and Qing dynasty porcelain, and Republic of China artifacts. Recommended Food - Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup: A Nanjing specialty, the piping hot soup with duck blood and duck liver warms you to the core. - Osmanthus Sugar Taro Shoots: The osmanthus sugar taro shoots from Lianhu Cake Shop are worth trying, with sticky hot taro paste mixed with the fragrance of osmanthus. - Plum Blossom Cake: Crispy on the outside, with a flowing filling inside; eat it hot to warm your hands and stomach. - Duck Oil Crispy Pancake: Crispy outside and fragrant inside, can be eaten with small wontons. - Crab Roe Soup Dumplings: A seasonal autumn and winter delicacy, with thin skin and fresh juice, paired with shredded ginger vinegar to cut the greasiness. Transportation Guide - Arrival: Nanjing Lukou International Airport is connected to the city center via Metro Line S1 transfer to Line 3; Nanjing Railway Station and Nanjing South Railway Station are transportation hubs with convenient metro and bus transfers. - Getting Around: The metro covers popular attractions. You can download the "My Nanjing" app or use Alipay to get a ride code; taxi starting fare is 11 RMB; bus fare is 2 RMB. Accommodation Recommendations - Xinjiekou Area: Nanjing city center, bustling commercial area with convenient metro and bus access, hotels range from budget to high-end. - Confucius Temple / Laomendong Area: Close to the Qinhuai River Scenic Area, offering an ancient city atmosphere, with many inns in Ming and Qing dynasty style. - Xuanwu Lake / Nanjing Railway Station Area: Near Xuanwu Lake and the Ming City Wall, the environment is spacious and quiet, with relatively convenient transportation.