Nanjing Autumn Foliage Photo Route Travel Guide

Nanjing Zhongshan Scenic Area Autumn Tour (Yanque Lake → Wutong Avenue → Meiling Palace → Music Stage → Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum) Overview: The whole route mainly uses subway + scenic area shuttle bus/walking. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum requires a reservation 7 days in advance, other attractions can be purchased on-site or by scanning QR codes. First Stop: Yanque Lake (Core area for Metasequoia red leaves) • 🎫 Ticket: Free, no reservation required (Entering Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Scenic Area requires 70 RMB per person, Yanque Lake is next to Gate 3 of Ming Xiaoling, viewing the lake only is free) • 🚇 Subway: Exit 1 of Muxuyuan Station on Line 2, about 10 minutes walk or 5 minutes by shared bike to Gate 3 of Ming Xiaoling, turn right after entering to reach the lake Photo tips: 7:30-8:30 soft light, Crescent Dike is the main photo spot. ◦ Note: Queue starts after 7 am on weekends, arriving 1 hour early saves 2 hours waiting; avoid stepping on the wet soil by the lake shore. Second Stop: Wutong Avenue (Lingyuan Road) • 🎫 Ticket: Free, no reservation required • 🚇 (Yanque Lake → Wutong Avenue): About 15 minutes walk; or from Exit 1 of Muxuyuan Station walk directly along Lingyuan Road, about 10 minutes total ◦ 📷 Photo tips: 8:00-9:00 only quick lane is cleaned, background is clean; backlit shots of the golden tunnel create a more atmospheric effect. ◦ Note: After 9:00 fallen leaves are not cleared, many people and vehicles, be careful. Third Stop: Meiling Palace • 🎫 Ticket: 30 RMB per person, can scan QR code on-site or buy from "Zhongshan Scenic Area"; combo ticket (including Ming Xiaoling + Meiling Palace + Linggu Temple + Music Stage) 100 RMB per person is more cost-effective • 🚚 (Wutong Avenue → Meiling Palace): About 8-10 minutes walk; or take the scenic shuttle bus (10 RMB per ride) to Meiling Palace stop, about 5 minutes ◦ 📷 Photo tips: 9:00-10:00 sunlight shines on red walls and green tiles, ginkgo and wutong trees frame the entrance. ◦ Note: Flash photography indoors is prohibited; don’t buy overpriced souvenirs at the entrance, cheaper outside the scenic area. Opening hours: 8:30-17:00 (last entry at 16:30) Fourth Stop: Music Stage • 🎫 Ticket: 10 RMB per person, scan QR code or buy on-site, Nanjing Park annual card accepted • 🚇 (Meiling Palace → Music Stage): About 15-20 minutes walk; or take shuttle bus to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (Music Stage) stop, about 5-8 minutes • 📷 Photo tips: Around 10:00 white pigeons gather and circle, shooting from the middle to back rows of the audience seats captures spectacular flock flight. ◦ Note: You can bring pigeon feed (5 RMB per pack in the scenic area); avoid getting too close to pigeons to prevent pecking. Opening hours: 7:00-18:00; highlight: white pigeon flock flying, commonly seen large groups circling in autumn Fifth Stop: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum • 🎫 Ticket: Free, requires real-name reservation 7 days in advance on "Zhongshan Scenic Area" website, tickets released daily at 16:00, timed entry (8:30-10:30, 10:30-12:30, 12:30-14:30, 14:30-16:30, 16:30-17:00) • 🚇 (Music Stage → Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum): About 5-8 minutes walk, exit Music Stage and follow signs to Bo'ai Square of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, climb 392 steps to reach the sacrificial hall ◦ 📷 Photo tips: 10:40-11:30 good lighting, shoot symmetrical composition from above the 392 stone steps; photography inside the sacrificial hall is prohibited. ◦ Note: Opening hours: Mausoleum 8:30-17:00 (closed on Mondays except public holidays and Sun Yat-sen’s birth/death anniversaries); tomb chamber open Tuesday to Friday (except public holidays) P: Photos referenced from other bloggers, will delete immediately if causing any disturbance.