Unlock the Limited Autumn Romance of Jinling

Autumn at Xuanwu Lake is a collision of lake water and colorful forests, a blend of ancient charm and floral fragrance. As Nanjing's free "urban lung," the ginkgo, red maple, dawn redwood, and chrysanthemums here weave into a stunning masterpiece. 1. Best Time to Enjoy Autumn ✅ Core period: Late October to late November, when the ginkgo turns golden, red maples blaze, dawn redwoods gradually redden, combined with the golden autumn chrysanthemum exhibition, marking the peak beauty of the year. ✅ Golden hours: Daily 7:00-9:00 (thin mist over the lake, soft light and shadow), 15:00-17:00 (sunset shining on the lake, colorful forests reflected like a painting), and the "Orange Sea" sunset one hour before dusk is not to be missed. ✅ Jinling Bonsai Garden: The main venue for the chrysanthemum exhibition, with over 1,000 pots of chrysanthemums in 400 varieties blooming, featuring artistic chrysanthemums shaped like coiled dragons, vases, hearts, etc. The entire garden is also decorated with more than 20,000 atmosphere chrysanthemums, fully displaying Chinese elegance. 2. Selected Routes ✅ 1. Classic Autumn Viewing Route (2.5 hours walking) Xuanwu Gate → Liangzhou Ginkgo Avenue → Jinling Bonsai Garden (chrysanthemum viewing) → Fangqiao "Lonely Tree" → Cuizhou Red Maple Forest → West Side Dawn Redwood Forest → Ten-Mile Long Embankment (sunset viewing) ✅ 2. Cultural Link Route (Half-day tour) Jiming Temple (Exit at Jiming Temple Station on Metro Lines 3/4, ticket 10 yuan, free stamp at cultural shop) → Ming City Wall (ticket 15 yuan, panoramic view of Xuanwu Lake) → Enter Xuanwu Lake via Jiefang Gate → Around Island Guo Pu Mound → Liangzhou Lansheng Tower, enjoy scenery and learn history. ✅ 3. Family Easy Route (1.5 hours) Take sightseeing bus at the Visitor Center → Liangzhou (fish feeding + chrysanthemum viewing) → Yingzhou Pioneer Bookstore (glass house lake view check-in) → Couple’s Garden leisure area, effortless and fun all the way. 3. Transportation and Parking Guide I. Metro Routes: ✅ 1. Xuanwu Gate Entrance (most popular, near core scenic area) Take Metro Line 1 to Xuanwu Gate Station, exit at Exit 3, about 3-5 minutes walk. Advantage: Direct access to Liangzhou Ginkgo Avenue and other autumn highlights, suitable for first-time visitors. ✅ 2. Jiefang Gate Entrance (linked with Jiming Temple) Take Metro Lines 3/4 to Jiming Temple Station, exit at Exit 5, about 10 minutes walk to Jiefang Gate. Feature: Visit Jiming Temple first (10 yuan ticket), then enter Xuanwu Lake, forming a classic "ancient temple + lake view" combination. ✅ 3. Couple’s Garden / Cuizhou Entrance (ideal for sunset viewing) Take Metro Line 3 to Nanjing Forestry University·Xinzhuang Station (Exit 2) or Metro Line 4 to Gangzicun Station (Exit 3). Highlight: Couple’s Garden is an excellent spot for sunset viewing, connected to the Ten-Mile Long Embankment with a wide view. ✅ 4. Other Entrance Options Taiping Gate / Ten-Mile Long Embankment: Metro Line 4 Gangzicun Station, suitable for visiting the dawn redwood forest on the west shore of the lake. Heping Gate: Metro Line 3 Nanjing Station, near the train station, convenient for a stopover visit. II. Bus Routes (wide coverage) ✅ 1. Xuanwu Gate Area Direct to Xuanwu Gate Station: Routes 1, 3, 8, 15, 22, 25, 28, 30, 33, 35, 38, 47, 52, 56, 74, Tour 1, etc. South of Xuanwu Gate Metro Station: Routes 25, 28, 30, etc., about 5 minutes walk to entrance after getting off. ✅ 2. Jiefang Gate / Jiming Temple Area Beijing East Road Jiming Temple Station: Routes 20, 48, 11, then walk to Jiefang Gate. Xuanwu Lake Park Taicheng Station: Route 304, near the city wall, unique scenery. ✅ 3. Couple’s Garden / Cuizhou Area Longpan Road·Gangzicun Station: Routes 2, 17, 24, 36, 40, 125, 400 meters walk to Sunshine Wharf. Bancang Street·Gangzicun Station: Routes 6, 11, 10, 68, 70, 700 meters walk to Sunshine Wharf. Self-driving parking: Recommended navigation to "Xuanwu Lake Couple’s Garden Area C Ground Parking," or the National Exhibition Center parking with ample spaces. 4 yuan/hour, no congestion on holidays; parking lots at Xuanwu Gate and Jiefang Gate are tight on weekends. Leisure experience: Boat rental (40-80 yuan/hour, enjoy lake views); sightseeing bus (30 yuan/person, no getting off midway, suitable for the lazy). 4. Scenic Area / Public Places (for tourists/citizens) Wheelchair Rental Service Notice: To facilitate travel for those with mobility difficulties, wheelchair rental service is provided as follows: ✅ Rental location: Visitor Center Service Desk (located a bit ahead of the Gangzicun entrance near the Nanjing Food Street service center) ✅ Rental fee: 0 yuan/hour, deposit 400 yuan, full refund upon return. ✅ Service time: Return before 17:00.