Nanjing Yanque Lake｜A Hidden Autumn Secret in the Heart of the City, Embracing All the Tenderness of Jinling

Nanjing Yanque Lake｜A Hidden Autumn Secret in the Heart of the City, Embracing All the Tenderness of Jinling Autumn in Nanjing is half painted in the golden hues of Wutong Avenue, and the other half is hidden in the redwood sanctuary of Yanque Lake. Compared to the bustling popular landmarks, the tranquility and poetic charm of this lesser-known lake better capture the romantic essence of Jinling city. Navigate to the entrance of Yanque Lake Park, where you can step into this natural masterpiece without an entrance fee. Stroll along the wooden boardwalk by the lake, whose surface is like a clear jade, reflecting the water cypresses, reeds, and sky on the shore. In late autumn, the water cypresses shed their green and turn into various shades of rust red and caramel. Their straight trunks stand tall, seamlessly connecting with their reflections in the water, forming a "redwood forest on the water." Walking through it feels like entering a fairy tale painted in an oil painting. The path is covered with soft fallen leaves that rustle underfoot, accompanied by the crisp bird songs from the forest, creating the most soothing white noise of autumn. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting mottled shadows on the ground. The warm light wrapped in the fresh scent of grass and trees naturally slows your pace. Occasionally, a white egret skims the water surface, stirring ripples that break the momentary silence but enhance the lake’s serene beauty. Deeper into the lake bay, vast reed beds sway with the wind, their white plumes shimmering softly in the sunlight, hazy and gentle. Find a waterside bench to sit on, watch the clouds roll over the lake, listen to the gentle lapping of water against the shore, and see the distant trees merge with the skyline. All restlessness and fatigue vanish at this moment. If you happen to be here on a clear evening, the sunset gilds the redwoods with gold, the glow dyes half the lake red, and the entire lake is bathed in a tender halo, so beautiful you can’t look away. ✅ Practical Tips: - Best time to visit: Mid-November to early December, when the redwoods and reed flowers are at their peak; the light is most beautiful from sunny afternoons to sunset; - Transportation: Take Metro Line 2 to Muxuyuan Station, then walk 15 minutes, or take a bus to Weiqiao South Station and walk 10 minutes; - Suggested route: Walk the lakeside loop, about 2 kilometers in total, flat and without hills, perfect for strolling, photography, and relaxing; - Notes: There are no commercial vendors inside the park, so bring your own drinking water; mosquitoes are more common in autumn, so bring insect repellent; for photos, wear light-colored clothes to contrast vividly with the redwoods and lake water for better shots. Autumn in Nanjing is short, but the autumn scenery at Yanque Lake is stunning enough to last all year. No need to chase crowds—come here and embrace autumn fully, experiencing the truest tranquility and romance of Jinling city.