Nanjing Zhongshan Botanical Garden

The Zhongshan Botanical Garden is one of the four major botanical gardens in China, with its lush greenery and a […]

The Zhongshan Botanical Garden is one of the four major botanical gardens in China, with its lush greenery and a multitude of exotic flowers and plants, attracting countless photography enthusiasts and newlyweds who choose to take their wedding photos here.
Historical Background of the Botanical Garden

The Zhongshan Botanical Garden was originally named the ‘Sun Yat-sen Memorial Botanical Garden’. After the death of Mr. Sun Yat-sen, to preserve the valuable flowers, plants, and trees presented by governments and private groups to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, this garden was established in 1929 near the west side of the mausoleum and close to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum.

The garden is now divided into the North Garden and the South Garden, with the North Garden being the older section and the South Garden, which began construction in 1999, being the newer section.

North Garden

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The North Garden serves as a research center for plants in central and northern subtropical China, featuring 10 specialized gardens (areas), including the ornamental plant center, medicinal plant center, economic plant center, and other facilities such as the Jiangsu Medicinal Plant Research and Development Center and the Jiangsu Plant Ex-situ Conservation Key Laboratory. It also houses one of the larger herbariums in the East China region, with approximately 700,000 specimens. There is also a ‘Bridge World’ for children to play in.

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Red Maple Hill

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To the east of the Bridge World lies the ‘Red Maple Hill’, where late November to early December, after the cold air passes, is the best time to appreciate the red maple leaves. The maple trees lining the path are as red as flames, with forest trails covered in fallen leaves, and sunlight casting dappled shadows on the soil through the leaves, making the autumn scenery here rival that of Qixia Mountain. Every spring, usually from April to May, a tulip exhibition is also held here.

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South Garden

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The South Garden, also known as the ‘Jiangsu Province Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden’, features Qianhu Lake, offering a view of the Ming City Wall to the south of Qianhu. The main exhibition areas of the South Garden are to the north of Qianhu, divided into 11 regions based on landscape emphasis: Tropical Plant Palace, Gramineous Garden, Blind Person’s Botanical Garden, Bonsai Garden, Rose Garden, Medicinal Garden, Conifer Garden, Arboretum, Plant Taxonomic System Garden, and the Nanjing Zhongshan Botanical Garden Natural Education Area, collecting over 3,000 species of living plants.

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Tropical Plant Palace

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A must-see in the South Garden is the Tropical Plant Palace, also known as the exhibition greenhouse. The external shape of the Tropical Plant Palace resembles three transparent leaves, with each leaf representing an exhibition area. In the tropical flower and fruit area, one can see the ‘Missile Palm’, which resembles a missile in gold color, and other carnivorous plants. The tropical rainforest area, with its vines hanging and entwined, creates a genuine rainforest atmosphere, with the ‘Antiaris toxicaria’ tree, whose sap is so poisonous that it can cause death within 20-30 minutes, leaving a deep impression. The succulent and fleshy plant area is filled with various cacti and succulents, including cacti that are about 2 meters tall, which are quite rare.

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Aquatic Botanical Garden

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Located southeast of the Tropical Plant Palace on Qianhu Lake, the Aquatic Botanical Garden is also a highlight.
In summer here, the Victoria regia with huge green leaves and elegant flower postures blooms. The Victoria regia has an incredible carrying capacity, and people can stand on its leaves without sinking. In addition, lotus and water lilies also bloom in summer, forming a beautiful scenery on the water surface.

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Opening hours: From July 1st to October 7th, open from Tuesday to Sunday, 08:30 – 17:30; from October 8th to December 31st, open from 08:30 – 17:00; from January 1st to April 30th, open from Tuesday to Sunday, 08:30 – 17:00; open from 08:30 – 17:00 on New Year’s Day, Spring Festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day.

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Preferential policies:

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Children: In the south garden and north garden, children under 1.4 meters (excluding 1.4 meters) in height can enter the garden accompanied by an adult who has purchased a ticket for free; in the south garden, minors over 1.4 meters (including 1.4 meters) in height (must present an identity document in line with preferential policies when checking tickets), half price.

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The elderly: In the south garden and north garden, elderly people aged 60 years old (including 60 years old) and above can enter for free with valid identity documents.

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Students: In the south garden, full-time undergraduate and below students (must present a student ID in line with preferential policies when checking tickets), half price.

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Military personnel: In the south garden, active military personnel can enter for free with valid certificates.

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Supplementary note: There are no preferential policies in the north garden.

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Service facilities:

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Parking lot: [Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Parking Lot]. Reference price: 12 yuan/hour. Address: Nanjing Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Parking Lot. Parking spaces: 300.

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Must-see tips:

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1. There are few places to eat in the botanical garden. It is recommended to bring your own dry food. Having a picnic on the lawn is also a very pleasant thing.

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2. Bring mosquito repellent in summer.

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3. Official Weibo: Nanjing Zhongshan Botanical Garden.

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