Xuanwu Lake, historically known as Sangpo and Houhu, is located at the foot of Purple Mountain and is one of China’s larger royal garden lakes. It is renowned as one of the ‘Three Famous Lakes of the South of the Yangtze’, alongside Jiaxing’s South Lake and Hangzhou’s West Lake. The lake is divided into five islets, each hosting numerous historical sites and cultural relics, making it a well-known cultural and leisure park in Nanjing. From Nanjing Railway Station, the southern side is Huanhu Road, where you can take a leisurely walk around the lake to enjoy the scenery of Xuanwu Lake. In summer, you can witness the blooming of vast lotus flowers, with the water surface appearing lush green and exceptionally charming. On the southern shore, there is a section of the Ming City Wall (where the Ming City Wall History Museum is located), offering a unique perspective for viewing the lake.
You can take a pedal boat or an electric boat to cruise around the lake, enjoying the views of the islets and the surrounding urban landscape, which is very pleasant. To fully appreciate the beauty of Xuanwu Lake, it is necessary to walk around the islets and explore at a leisurely pace. The islets are connected by bridges and causeways, allowing for easy movement between them.
During spring, you can visit Yingzhou to see cherry blossoms adorning the branches; there is also a lotus garden, which is an excellent place for viewing lotuses and taking photographs. When you arrive at Huanzhou, you can appreciate the rockery and waterfalls; numerous Taihu rockery stones are uniquely shaped, with the ‘Boy Worshipping Guanyin’ stone resembling a child praying to Guanyin, which is worth investigating. On the northwestern hill of Huanzhou, there is Guopu Mound, the highest point within the lake area.
At Lingzhou, Liangzhou, and Cuizhu, from the Tai Ling Flower Trellis in Lingzhou, you can overlook the scenery of Purple Mountain and Xiao Jiuhua Mountain. In Liangzhou, there are bonsai gardens, azalea gardens, and Lansheng Tower among other attractions. Cuizhu is filled with pine, cypress, bamboo, and willow, offering a lush green environment, perfect for relaxation. Additionally, there is a Lover’s Garden on the east side of Xuanwu Lake, which boasts tulips, peach blossoms, and various other plants, making it a picturesque spot often visited by newlyweds for wedding photography. The park is open all year round, with full-day access. There are facilities for nursing mothers located near the restrooms.
Xuanwu Lake Scenic Area
Xuanwu Lake, historically known as Sangpo and Houhu, is located at the foot of Purple Mountain and i[...]
