Itinerary · China
One Day on Nanjing's Purple Mountain: How to Do It
One day by Metro Line 2 and scenic-area shuttles: the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling's stone animals and Linggu, plus taxi rules and an evening option.
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One day in the Zhongshan Mountain scenic area: what you'll see
The Zhongshan Mountain (Purple Mountain) scenic area is a national scenic area of about 31 sq km on the eastern edge of the city. It is 76.8% forested and holds the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling and the Linggu area among more than 200 historical and cultural sites. The guide recommends it for a first visit, historic sites and forest walks.
This post covers just one day in the scenic area. Following the guide's order, you see the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in the morning, then the sacred way and stone animals of Ming Xiaoling, and the Linggu area in the afternoon, with the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River as an evening option.
For a full Nanjing trip (3 days), including the day with the Nanjing Massacre memorial hall, the Presidential Palace and the city wall, see the separate 3-day itinerary.
Getting in: Metro Line 2 and scenic-area shuttles
During control hours (weekdays 09:00-17:00, weekends and public holidays 08:30-17:30), many roads in the Zhongshan Mountain scenic area are closed to most vehicles, and taxis may not enter the controlled roads. These traffic measures run from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2028.
Line 2 is the closest metro line to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling. Change at Metro Line 2 Xiamafang, Xiaolingwei, Zhonglingjie or Muxuyuan stations to scenic-area shuttles for the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling, the Linggu area and more. If you take a taxi during control hours, use the designated taxi drop-off zones, such as at Muxuyuan station.
If you want to head there on arrival day, there is also the Airport–Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum tourist shuttle bus: a 37-seat bus from Lukou Airport Terminals 1 and 2 to the South Square of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, stopping at Nanjing South Railway Station. Trial service began on 1 January 2026, with two provisional departures from the airport at 11:40 and 13:40. It takes 80 min and costs CNY 35 to the Mausoleum. As it is a trial, service and times may change, so check before you travel.
- Line 2 transfer stations: Xiamafang, Xiaolingwei, Zhonglingjie, Muxuyuan
- Control hours: weekdays 09:00-17:00, weekends and public holidays 08:30-17:30
- Taxis: no entry to the controlled roads; use designated zones such as at Muxuyuan station
Morning: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, a 700 m axis and 392 steps
Start at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the tomb of Dr Sun Yat-sen, pioneer of China's democratic revolution. Construction began in 1926 and the main structures were completed in 1929. It was designed by the architect Lü Yanzhi, and its overall plan resembles a warning bell.
A central axis of about 700 m with 392 stone steps runs from the Memorial Archway and Sacred Way to the Mausoleum Gate, Stele Pavilion, Sacrificial Hall and Burial Chamber, built of white granite under blue glazed tiles. Reach it from Metro Line 2 by scenic-area shuttle, and check official information for opening hours.
- Along the axis: Memorial Archway → Sacred Way → Mausoleum Gate → Stele Pavilion → Sacrificial Hall → Burial Chamber
- Opening hours and admission: check official information
Ming Xiaoling: walking the avenue of stone animals
Next comes Ming Xiaoling, the tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang (the Hongwu Emperor), founder of the Ming dynasty, and Empress Ma. Work began in 1376 and took more than 30 years, until the Shengong Shengde Stele was completed in 1413.
Over about 3,000 m from the Xiamafang archway to the Baocheng, more than 30 buildings and stone carvings line the route, including the avenue of stone animals. Ming Xiaoling set the model for Ming and Qing imperial tombs and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2003.
To move around inside the scenic area, use the scenic-area shuttles in line with the control-hour rules. Check official information for admission.
Afternoon: Linggu area, Beamless Hall and osmanthus garden
In the afternoon, walk the Linggu Scenic Area, a park on the eastern slopes of Zhongshan Mountain. Kaishan Temple, founded in 515, was moved here by Zhu Yuanzhang and renamed Linggu Temple.
It has the Beamless Hall, China's largest surviving Ming beamless brick hall, the Baozhi Pagoda, and a large osmanthus garden of about 18,000 trees.
When you leave, use Metro Line 2 and the scenic-area shuttles, or during control hours the designated taxi drop-off zones, such as at Muxuyuan station.
Evening option and what to bring
As on Day 1 of the guide's itinerary, you can spend the evening at the Confucius Temple and on the Qinhuai River. The Confucius Temple is one of China's four major Confucian temples, and you can walk there from Fuzimiao station on Metro Line 3. Boats from Banchi pier loop past Bailuzhou Park, Qicai Water Street, Dongguanmen and Zhonghuamen, about 4.8 km in about 50 minutes; check official information for the fare. For dinner, try Qinhuai snacks around the Confucius Temple or Nanjing salted duck (yanshui ya).
Bring a way to pay. Jinlingtong transport cards are sold at every metro station, and transit QR codes in payment apps also work on the metro and buses. Check official information for sight admission, and check the official forecast before you go.
If you plan to visit the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders on another day, prepare in advance. All visitors must book in their real name through the official booking channel 1-7 days ahead; passports are accepted. Tickets are released daily at 08:00, and the hall is closed on Mondays except public holidays. Large luggage must be checked (CNY 3 per item). It is not part of this one-day plan.
When to go: spring, autumn and climate normals
The guide picks spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November) as the best times for walking. Data from the WMO World Weather Information Service — China Meteorological Administration (Nanjing, 1961–1990 normals) give average highs of about 20°C in April, 25°C in May, 22°C in October and 16°C in November.
October (about 60 mm) and November (about 56 mm) get less rain than summer. July is the wettest month of the year (about 188 mm), and July-August are hot, with average highs of about 32°C. January is cold, with an average low of about -2°C. Check the official forecast before you go.
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FAQ
Can I take a taxi to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum or Ming Xiaoling?
During control hours (weekdays 09:00-17:00, weekends and public holidays 08:30-17:30), taxis may not enter the controlled roads of the scenic area. Use Metro Line 2 and the scenic-area shuttles, or the designated taxi drop-off zones, such as at Muxuyuan station.
Where do I change to the scenic-area shuttles?
At Metro Line 2 Xiamafang, Xiaolingwei, Zhonglingjie or Muxuyuan stations, for the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling, the Linggu area and more. These traffic measures run from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2028.
Do I need to book the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum or check closing days?
The guide says to check official information for the mausoleum's opening hours, and the same goes for sight admission. The real-name booking and Monday closure rules apply to the Nanjing Massacre memorial hall.
Is there a bus from the airport to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum?
The Airport–Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum tourist shuttle bus runs from Lukou Airport Terminals 1 and 2 to the South Square of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, stopping at Nanjing South (80 min, CNY 35). It has been on trial since 1 January 2026, leaving the airport at 11:40 and 13:40 (provisional), so check before you travel.
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ⓘ Photo credits
- Stone horses on the Ming Xiaoling Spirit Way · 钉钉 / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gardens of the Du Fu Thatched Cottage · Daderot / CC0