Nanjing Autumn Legendary Route: Yanque Lake + Wutong Avenue + Meiling Palace

Nanjing’s autumn hides romance in every corner of Zhongshan Mountain 🍂 Skip the usual Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum check-in spots and unlock lake views, wutong trees, and Republic of China architecture all at once, with a detailed guide to the best photo spots! 🚇 Route Overview (No backtracking version) Metro Line 2, Muxuyuan Station Exit 1 → Yanque Lake (8-minute walk) → Wutong Avenue (15-minute walk) → Meiling Palace (3-minute walk), all done within 3 hours. 🍁 First Stop: Yanque Lake “Monet Moment in the Water Forest” The ultimate free autumn view! In mid to late November, the bald cypresses turn fully red, blending dark green, caramel, and crimson into a flowing oil painting. ✅ Must-shoot spots: - Crescent Dyke Center: Stand on the curved dyke to capture symmetrical reflections; black swans in the frame make it legendary - East Bank Boardwalk: Get close shots of fallen leaves floating on the lake; side lighting enhances the depth of the bald cypresses - Right side of Gate 3: Reeds paired with red cypresses create a dreamy artistic vibe ⏰ Golden Hours: Early morning 7-8 AM when the mist hasn’t cleared, the lake looks like it’s covered with a soft light filter; after 4 PM, shoot backlit cypress trees with golden edges on the leaves ✨ 💡 Tip: No need to buy a ticket for Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum! You can capture the full beauty near Gate 3, and entering before 6:30 AM lets you catch the free time slot. 🌳 Second Stop: Wutong Avenue “Nanjing’s Golden Ribbon” Actually, it’s Lingyuan Road! 3,000 wutong trees form a canopy; in late November, they turn fully yellow, and the wind blows leaves into a golden carpet. ✅ Photo spots: - Muxuyuan Station exit fork: Shoot upward for a deep-focus shot with wutong branches weaving a natural frame - Overpass near Sifang City: Capture the vintage vibe by snapping the sightseeing train passing by - Curve in front of Meiling Palace: Shoot the wutong trees winding along the road like a glowing necklace 📸 Tip: After 4 PM, shoot backlit silhouettes with people walking on fallen leaves, skirts fluttering for a dramatic effect! 🏛️ Third Stop: Meiling Palace “Republic of China Style Masterpiece” A sapphire pendant embraced by a wutong necklace! Autumn yellow walls with red pillars, every frame looks like a scene from a Republic of China film. ✅ Hidden photo spots: - Entrance viewing platform: Hold your phone high for a panoramic shot; the wutong necklace encircling the palace is stunning - Second-floor glazed windows: Sunlight streaming in looks like scattered diamonds; shoot side profiles by the window for breathtaking light and shadow - Basement cloakroom: Brass hangers with Republic of China costumes, perfect for vintage OOTD shots - Under the camphor tree in the courtyard: A 300-year-old tree as the background adds storytelling to full-body photos ⏰ Surprise moment: Lights turn on at 6:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, warm lighting outlines the palace for a super romantic night shoot atmosphere. 💡 Handy Tips 1. Tickets: Entry to Meiling Palace costs 30 RMB 2. Traffic restrictions: No driving in after 8:30 AM on weekends; metro is recommended, and there’s a 2 RMB shuttle from Muxuyuan Station Nanjing’s autumn truly has romance in its DNA. This route is beautiful and effortless—bookmark it and go!