Things to do in Guzhen

The Ruins of Gaixia

Gaixia, commonly known as Bawangcheng, is located on the south bank of the Tuohe River in Haocheng, Jinguzhen County. In 202 B.C., King Liu Bang of Han led 300,000 troops of feudal lords to pursue Xiang Yu, the overlord of Western Chu. In the Battle of Gaixia, the Chu army was killed and 20,000 captured. The Han army completely wiped out the Chu army with its absolute superiority, creating a successful example of a large-scale pursuit battle in ancient China. It was listed as one of the seven famous ancient battles in the world. It has the reputation of "Oriental Waterloo". According to the research of experts, Gaixiabawangcheng is an irregular square, and the corners of the city are built into arcs. The north of the city is close to the Tuo River (known as the Huan River in ancient times), and there are moats on the east, south and west sides of the city. The original Bawang City was actually just an earthen fortress, with a high terrain and surrounded by water on all sides. In the city, Qin bricks and Han tiles can be found everywhere. Ancient and splendid cultural landscapes such as Han Well, Han Tomb, Han Bridge, the ancient tree "Yu Bao Sang", Yu Ji's dressing table, Tie Di River of Tongbang, Han Xin Dianjiang Terrace, etc. The stories of Besieged on All Sides and Farewell My Concubine are fascinating.

Guyangcheng Ruins

Guyangcheng Ruins Park was originally part of Guyang Village in Liancheng Town, built on the foundation of the Guyang Ruins as a historical site park. The park features nine functional zones: the Guyangcheng Ruins Conservation and Exhibition Area, the Xiaowangzhuang Bawangcheng Ruins Conservation and Exhibition Area, the Ruins Cultural Development Zone, the Ancient Urban Culture Exploration Zone, the Ruins Cultural View Area, the Cultural Support Services Zone, the Riverside Wetland Sightseeing Area, the Public Support Services Zone, and the Residential Living Area.

Gaixia Ancient Battlefield

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Jiangsu

Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone

Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone, also known asNiushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone, it is named for its two peaks, one in the east and one in the west, which resemble the two horns of an ox's head. Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone boasts beautiful scenery and has long enjoyed the reputation of "Spring Niushou." In ancient times, it featured such Jinling scenic spots as Niushou Smoke and Mist and Zutang Temple's Resounding Tin Staff, and it also preserves many historical sites, such as the Jiangning section of the ancient fortifications where Yue Fei fought against the Jin, and the Zheng He Cultural Park. Usnisa Palace The Usnisa Palace is themed around the enshrinement of the Buddha's parietal bone relic and is divided into two parts: the large dome and the small dome, symbolizing outer offerings and inner offerings. The Usnisa Palace utilizes the original mine pit to build an underground palace, with six levels below ground and three levels above ground, appearing very solemn and magnificent. The parietal bone relic of Shakyamuni Buddha was enshrined at the Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone in October 2015. Visitors may go to the Usnisa Palace to pay homage on special Buddhist festivals. For specific times to view the relic, please call the attraction for inquiries. A thousand years of history Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone is a Buddhist sacred site. The Buddha Cave Temple, built by Sikong Xu Du in the second year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty (503 AD), was the first temple on Niushou Mountain, and Li Yu, the last ruler of the Southern Tang, renamed it Hongjue Temple. During the Tang Dynasty, Chan Master Farong, hailed as the "Bodhidharma of East China," founded the Niutou Chan School on Niushou Mountain, known in ancient times as "Jiangbiao Niutou." The founding of the Niutou Chan School served as an important bridge in the true transformation of Indian Chan into Chinese Chan! Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone - Taohua Stream Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone - Taohua Stream is located at the east entrance of Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone, with a total area of 14.87 hectares, approximately 220 mu. The peach blossoms selected are 26 varieties suitable for growing in the Nanjing area, making it a new view created by the Niushou Mountain attraction. A small stream winds down from Yinlong Lake, its water babbling, with peach trees planted on both sides. In spring, the buds gradually bloom, and a sea of flowers is intoxicating.

2026 Global 50 - Spring Outings

Slender West Lake

"In March when flowers bloom, head to Yangzhou." When visiting Yangzhou in spring, a trip to Slender West Lake is a must. This narrow stretch of waterway offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Stroll along the banks to admire scenic views, explore historic pavilions adorned with classical poetry and paintings, or cruise the lake by boat to experience the leisurely pleasure Emperor Qianlong once enjoyed during his royal visits. The attraction is quite expansive, stretching from the Great Rainbow Bridge in the southeast all the way north along the lake to Guanyin Mountain, passing dozens of attractions along the way. There are four main entrances (east, south, west, and north), with most visitors starting their tour at the south entrance on Great Rainbow Bridge Road. This renowned lakeside garden boasts breathtaking natural views. In spring, the area is shaded by lush willows and adorned with camellias, pomegranates, azaleas, and peach blossoms, attracting visitors from across the country to enjoy the seasonal blooms. For centuries, countless literati have lingered here, composing poetry and creating paintings that left behind numerous artistic treasures and stories. The site also features many landscape structures ingeniously designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings. The Five Pavilion Bridge in Shugang Slender West Lake Scenic Area is the iconic attraction with over 200 years of history. Featuring five wind pavilions atop, each of the bridge's fifteen arches cradles a moon during full moon nights. Another renowned attraction is the Twenty-Four Bridge, inspired by Du Mu's poetic line "Where is the jade-like beauty teaching flute-playing on the moonlit Twenty-Four Bridge?" While the original bridge no longer exists, visitors can admire its reconstructed version today. This was also a stop during Emperor Qianlong's southern tours in the Qing Dynasty. Architectural views like the Great Rainbow Bridge, Slender West Lake Scenic Area's Fishing Terrace, White Pagoda, and the Twenty-Four Bridges' Xichun Platform all bear inseparable historical anecdotes connected to Emperor Qianlong. During summer nights, the illuminated pavilions and moonlit reflections on the lake create a magical atmosphere. The nightlife experience here is entirely boat-based, offering a relaxing way to beat the summer heat while enjoying gentle lake breezes.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo

Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo is located in the north of Nanjing, built along three hills: Dahongshan, Fangniushan, and Xiaohongshan. With a green coverage rate of over 85%, the rolling hills form a unique forest view. The zoo brings together rare wild animals from around the world and adopts an immersive multi-species mixed-housing model, allowing animals to naturally express their instincts in environments that simulate their native habitats. The nearly 30 venues in the park are divided into three major zones by hill. The Dàhóngshān zone is mainly home to fierce beasts and native species, including the Tiger Area, Bear Area, Chinese Felid House, Felid Planet, Wolf Area, Native Species Conservation Area, Meerkat House, Monkey Hill, and Giraffe House; the Fàngniúshān zone brings together the Koala House, Gaoligong Exhibition Area, Gondwana Exhibition Area, Asian Primate Area, Orangutan House, and Hippo House; the Xiǎohóngshān zone is mainly composed of bird exhibition areas, including the Tropical Bird House, Hornbill Garden, Muntjac and Reeve's Muntjac Slope, Parrot House, Pheasant Garden, and Rare Bird Garden. Among them, the Gondwana Exhibition Area is themed on the ancient continent of Gondwana, presenting the ecological landscape of species from the Southern Hemisphere; the Gaoligong Exhibition Area focuses on the biodiversity of Gaoligong Mountain in Yunnan; and the Native Species Conservation Area is dedicated to the conservation and wild release of China's native wildlife, making it one of the park's signature exhibition areas. Both the Koala House and the Giant Panda House are popular venues in the park. Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo was among the first domestic zoos to cancel animal performances and stop visitor feeding activities. With the core philosophy of "everything for the animals," it focuses on ecological renovation of venues and improvement of animal welfare. The park also undertakes the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife in the Jiangsu region, rescuing a large number of injured and stray wild animals every year.

No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Jiangsu

Nanjing Museum

The Nanjing Museum is located at the southern foot of Purple Mountain, on the north side of Zhongshan Gate. Here, you can see ancient artifacts such as the jade burial suit sewn with silver thread, appreciate painting and calligraphy art, and even take a stroll down old streets for a journey through time. Museum historyThe museum was established in 1933 and completed in 1948, with its main hall modeled after the mountain gate of Dule Temple in Tianjin. After expansion in 2009 and opening to the public on November 6, 2013, it became the second largest museum in China after the National Museum of China, featuring six halls: the History Hall, Special Exhibition Hall, Digital Hall, Art Hall, Republican Era Hall, and Intangible Cultural Heritage Hall. Museum layoutThe museum's main buildings are divided into two sections, left and right. After walking a short distance on the right side, you will reach the museum's old main hall, modeled after the Dule Temple. Behind the "Dule Temple" is the History Gallery, while the other five galleries are all on the left side. You can either tour from the five galleries on the left to the History Gallery on the right, or from the History Gallery to the five galleries on the left. It is recommended to visit the History Gallery first, because the special exhibition hall housing the "treasure of the museum" is located to the left of the History Gallery. You can follow the order of History Gallery - Special Exhibition Hall - Digital Gallery - Republican Era Gallery - Art Gallery - Intangible Cultural Heritage Gallery to tour the entire museum. History exhibition hallThe history museum displays cultural relics arranged in chronological order from ancient times to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walking through it feels like strolling through five thousand years of Jiangsu's civilization. Highlights include: the jade burial suit sewn with silver thread, a wall built brick by brick during the Southern and Northern Dynasties with brick carvings faintly depicting the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove" upon closer inspection, and more. Special exhibition hallThe "Splendors of the Prosperous Age" area of the special exhibition hall displays official kiln porcelain from the Qing Dynasty, the "Fine Clocks and Watches Exhibition" displays ancient Chinese timekeeping devices and Western clocks and watches, and "Approaching Buddhist Statues" features resplendent, exquisitely crafted Buddhist statues. As for the "treasure of the museum," the gilt Tibetan-style stupa from the early years of the Zhengtong reign of the Ming Dynasty (1436–1439 CE), a single exhibit occupies an entire room, and its sheer grandeur alone is stunning enough. This museum treasure was unearthed from the underground palace of the Hongjue Temple Pagoda on Niushou Mountain in Nanjing. On a square red sandstone base, four blue-and-white porcelain vases surround a golden stupa in the center, and in front of the stupa is a small gold coffin and silver outer coffin, upon which lies a golden reclining statue of Shakyamuni. Digital galleryThe digital pavilion uses modern technology to present ancient themes, with exhibits such as the animation "Picture Scroll of Scenes in the Southern Capital" (similar to the Along the River During the Qingming Festival in the China Pavilion at the World Expo). What is quite interesting is that there are many interactive games here, and you can touch the screen to play games set in ancient times. Art venueThe art museum displays sculptures, calligraphy, and paintings. The exhibited paintings by Fu Baoshi, which use Chinese ink painting techniques to depict Eastern European red-roofed buildings, squares, and sculptures, are quite distinctive. Republic of China galleryThe Republic of China Gallery has transformed the entire indoor space into a street scene from the Republic of China period. Trams are displayed on the street, and shops with Republic-era style line both sides, open for business and selling items that evoke nostalgia. At a general store, you can buy "mouse droppings" (also known as kumquat pills), a snack from childhood. The post office offers Nanjing Museum postmarks, and at the Librairie Avant-Garde upstairs, the staff wear period clothing; if you want to mail a postcard, the bookstore also sells stamps. Intangible cultural heritage museumThe intangible cultural heritage museum displays folk handicrafts such as woodblock prints, paper cuttings, gold foil, and festive lanterns. Here you can enjoy performances such as Kunqu opera, Baiju, and Pingtan. Reference performance times: 14:00-16:00.In the small theater, you can watch 3D films for free, and the film is about 20 minutes long.The small theater in the intangible cultural heritage museum will also be open to the public on weekends and public holidays at 19:00 if there are traditional Chinese opera performances, and tickets are required.

Selected for Night Attractions in Jiangsu

Nanjing Confucius Temple

The Confucius Temple was originally built in the Song Dynasty to commemorate Confucius. It is located beside Gongyuan Street on the north bank of Qinhuai River. However the temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current temple was rebuilt in 1987 after it was destroyed by Japanese Aggressors during WWII. Currently, the temple is the main scenic spot of the Qinhuai River Scenery. It also includes the China Imperial Examination Museum and Xue Gong (The Imperial Academy). At the Confucius Temple, you can admire a 6 meter high huge portrait of Confucius and 38 mural paintings reflecting the life story of Confucius.

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Confucius Temple-Qinhuai Scenic Area

The Confucius Temple-Qinhuai Scenic Area refers to the Qinhuai River area centered around the Confucius Temple, where the streets, alleys, residences, and historical sites along both banks form a continuous stretch. It has been a bustling and lively part of Nanjing since ancient times. The line "The swallows that skimmed by painted eaves in bygone days are dipping now among the humble homes' doorways" by Liu Yuxi describes this very place. The Wuyi Lane mentioned in the poem still lies hidden among the alleys near the Confucius Temple. Exploring history along the river is the highlight of this area: The Dacheng hall of Confucius temple stands by the water, with a towering screen wall across the Pan pond in front; the nearby Jiangnan examination hall was the imperial testing site for provincial exams during the Ming and Qing dynasties, now replaced by the China imperial examination museum; Zhan garden and Egret isle park both originated from the mansion gardens of Xu Da's family, a founding general of the Ming dynasty—the former also houses the Taiping heavenly kingdom history museum; scattered along both banks within walking distance are historical sites like Meixiang tower (former residence of "Peach blossom fan" heroine Li Xiangjun), the well-preserved Zhonghua gate with its urn-shaped defense system, Wu Jingzi's residence (author of "The scholars"), and ancient ferry relics like Taoye crossing, easily connected into a historical walking trail. Cuisine is also a signature feature of this area: "The eight Qinhuai delicacies" refer to sixteen famous dishes from eight time-honored snack restaurants, including Yongheyuan's crab-shell yellow sesame cakes and dried shrimp shreds, Qifangge's duck oil crispy cakes and sesame oil dried shreds, Jiangyouji's beef pot stickers, and Lianhu pastry shop's osmanthus-filled glutinous rice balls. The Confucius Temple area and Laomendong are lined with teahouses, snack shops, and various stores, offering plenty of opportunities to rest and grab a bite when tired, along with the chance to pick up some souvenirs. The highlight comes after nightfall: board a painted boat from the pier in front of the Confucius Temple, listen to the guide while admiring the white walls and black tiles illuminated by riverside lanterns—this is the classic "night mooring on the Qinhuai" experience. From Chinese New Year to the Lantern Festival each year, the Qinhuai River Lantern Festival (also known as the Jinling Lantern Festival), listed as a national intangible cultural heritage, takes place here. The Confucius Temple, Laomendong, and along the Qinhuai River are adorned with lanterns and decorations. "Visiting the Confucius Temple to see lanterns during New Year" remains a cherished tradition for Nanjing locals. Even on ordinary days, the area buzzes with cultural temple fairs, food festivals, and other celebrations, offering unique surprises in different seasons.

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