A Nanjing Local's View of Nanjing – Wandering Around Niushoushan

Travel date: April 2020

Travel mode: self-driving

Route: Guxiong Station – Gufeng Line near Ocean Real Estate – Baoxiang Lake – Zhenghe Lake – Da’ao Village (Zhou Village)

Today, I followed the instructions of a railway enthusiast and went along with his train-chasing itinerary; in short, I was the driver for another day.

First stop: Guxiong Station

Address: No. 71 Fuji Road, outside Zhonghua Gate, Yuhuatai District, Nanjing

This small station was introduced in a previous travelogue, 'Family Railway Enthusiast – A Day as a Driver Chasing Trains,' at https://you.ctrip.com/travels/nanjing9/3939702.html

Here are just a few photos!

The yard and surrounding area of Guxiong Station are undergoing renovation.

The station buildings may look a bit messy now, but on closer inspection, the architecture itself is quite appealing, even somewhat exquisite. If the renovation work is carried out on a large scale, the environment will improve, and the buildings will regain their former charm.

A train is parked here

Curious, I climbed up this little slope to get closer to it

Looking at the rear of the train

Second stop: Gufeng Line

Address: near Jishan Iron Mine

Just like the last time, I left Guxiong and headed to the vicinity of Jishan Iron Mine, where the Gufeng Line passes. As we arrived, an ND5 locomotive passed by.

I didn't linger; I dropped off the railway enthusiast and looked for nearby places to stroll. This area is just a street away from Niushoushan. The rolling mountains behind the train we saw are the Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone. Niushoushan requires a ticket for entry, priced at 90 yuan. But since it's a mountain, they can't fence off the entire area. So we just wandered around the periphery of Niushoushan!

Third stop: Baoxiang Lake

Address: Guli Subdistrict, Jiangning District, Nanjing

Checking the map, I looked for a quiet spot with a view of mountains and water. Niushoushan has several lakes of various sizes: Yinlong Lake, Baoxiang Lake, Zhenghe Lake... I chose Baoxiang Lake, which wasn't far from me. Baoxiang Lake is nestled in a western mountain recess of Niushoushan, 4 kilometers away. Let's go! Turn right from County Road 002 onto Sanbanqiao Road. A winding path runs along the mountainside.

The vegetation was lush along the way, with groves of trees and wildflowers in full bloom.

Amidst the hills there is a small reservoir — Shitang'ao Reservoir

Continue along the reservoir dam

Baoxiang Lake unfolded before me

Driving further, I parked near the lake. There was no other vehicle or person here except me and my car. I felt as if I had entered another world, half doubting its reality.

Walking on a dirt path lined with rapeseed flowers, the rustic mountain flavor was full-on,

Through the branches, I glimpsed the red water tower on the dam

Across the lake, I could see the iconic structures of Niushoushan: the Foding Palace and Foding Pagoda.

Zooming in, the Foding Palace, supported by verdant mountains, consists of a large dome and a small dome. The large dome resembles the Buddha's kasaya draping over the small one. Foding Pagoda, one of the landmarks of the Foding Sacred Realm, stands about 88 meters tall, with nine stories and four sides.

It was incredibly quiet. Standing by the lake, the mountain breeze brushing my face, layers of distant mountains undulating, the lake sparkling, my mind quieted down.

During the pandemic, one can't go to crowded, bustling places, so coming to a remote mountain area, feeling the breeze, whether meditating or reminiscing, just enjoying nature's gifts is perfect.

Continuing further along this road

Piku Reservoir, Baoxiang Lake and the reservoir are interconnected.

At the reservoir dam, two pillars at the end blocked my way. I quietly gazed at the reservoir and then had to turn back the way I came to the county road.

The undulating, lively mountains, the sparkling, lively lake water, and the grand Buddhist peak scenery standing among the hills—a harmonious blend of nature and culture.

A village on the western side of the dam

Leaving Baoxiang Lake, I returned to the Gufeng Line to pick up the railway enthusiast. Coincidentally, I saw another ND5. The ND5 on the Gufeng Line lacked the majestic presence we usually see. Here, the ND5 moved with an aged gentleness. It was almost stationary, yet honking.

It turned out its stillness and whistling were to warn people and vehicles on both sides of the railway. This spot happened to be the gate of a compound.

It waited for a car exiting the compound gate to cross the tracks before slowly moving forward. This ND5 changed my original impression. Watching the train driver, I wondered what kind of work insights one gets from driving this giant, day after day, at barely 20-30 km/h on this line. Young people might find it hard to persist! But the driver didn't seem that old.

Fourth stop: Zhenghe Lake

Address: Guli Subdistrict, Jiangning District, Nanjing

Leaving Niushou Avenue, we headed toward Niushoushan.

Lush street trees lined the road, and cherry blossoms were in full bloom. The lovely Sanbao Road led us all the way toward Niushoushan.

The dome and pagoda are the landmarks of Niushoushan; you'll never lose your way.

We passed Shiao Village, a beautiful village at the foot of Niushoushan. We didn't stop there yet and continued on.

This was the West Gate Plaza of Niushoushan Park. Originally a visitor entrance, but due to the pandemic, only the East Gate was open now. We hadn't planned to buy tickets and enter the park anyway; we were just wandering around.

The closed West Gate

The scenery inside the park must be splendid, but the outside was no less impressive if you're in the right mood.

We arrived at this broad lake at the foot of Niushoushan — Zhenghe Lake. It was a bit livelier than Baoxiang Lake, with a few anglers spotted.

This path was the way we came. After enjoying the breeze by the lake, we left Zhenghe Lake and retraced our route.

A short stretch from Zhenghe Lake to the West Gate of Niushoushan

Under the blue sky and white clouds, isn't this scene beautiful? It's heart-melting.

Brilliantly-colored vegetation cradled the Foding Palace and Pagoda on Niushoushan.

Fifth stop: Shiao Village

Address: Guli Subdistrict, Jiangning District, Nanjing

Zhenghe Lake didn't take much time; soon we turned back to the village we passed earlier — Shiao Village. Shiao Village boasts rich mountain and water resources and profound historical and cultural heritage, known as 'the first village of Niushou culture.'

We arrived at Zhou Village Community Service Center in Guli Subdistrict, Jiangning District. It's a Huizhou-style building. A few years ago when I came here, it was Zhou Village Tourism Service Center; now it serves as the Zhou Village pandemic prevention command post.

Zhou Village is located on the southwestern foothills of Niushoushan, encircling Niushoushan, Zutang Mountain, and Dai Mountain. With its unique advantage of closeness to mountains and water, starting from Shiao Village, a 'Shiao Peach Blossom Land' agritainment characteristic village was created.

In front of the Zhou Village Service Center, there is a small parking lot.

The overall architectural style of the village is mainly Huizhou, with white walls and grey tiles under the emerald green mountains, forming a beautiful scene at the foot of Niushoushan.

Inside the village, blue brick lanes, wooden fence gates, front gardens, and bright red lanterns create a feeling of going back in time. Around courtyards, sweet osmanthus, ginkgo, green bamboo, and rapeseed flowers are planted, exuding an antique, tranquil, and elegant charm.

There is a guide map of the agritainment characteristic village, from which you can tell that Shiao Village is not just a simple village. It has been developed into a rich 'Peach Blossom Land' agritainment complex. The whole 'Peach Blossom Land' is divided into different functional areas: activity zone, mountain climbing and oxygen zone, cultural exhibition zone, leisure zone, fishing zone, lotus pond wetland, etc., catering to various needs. Walking through, you can enjoy the beauty of scenery at every step.

Relying on the tourism resources of Niushoushan, this place has become a gathering spot for farm stays. White walls and black tiles, lattice windows, upturned gate towers, and red lanterns hanging high—farm stays stand side by side, similar yet slightly different. Each farm stay's name incorporates elements of local history and culture: Niushoushan, Yizui Fang, Xiao Fangniu, Pingshui Xiangfeng, Gui Tianyuan Ju, Taoyuan Renjia, and other country-style eateries, plus Songjun Zhai, Bingma Ying, Sanbao Shuiyuan, and other tea houses...

Stone carvings, archways, pavilions, and scenic corridors, accompanied by seasonal peach blossoms, lotus flowers, osmanthus, and plum blossoms, have created a 'four seasons of blooming flowers and scenery at every step,' earning the title 'No. 1 Village of Niushou.'

Ascending the village road, at many spots you can pause and gaze into the distance at the splendid scenery of Niushoushan.

The village with its white walls and black tiles seems hidden within the forest.

The village's greenery is especially lush.

Everywhere, dense flowers, plants, and trees, with water flowing around and fresh air.

In the spring scenery, pines and cypresses hide their green, turning from yellow to green; crabapple blossoms fragrance the air—beauty beyond words.

Green willows and small bridges, murmuring streams

Strolling on the blue flagstone paths of Shiao, the tranquil forest trails invite us to slowly savor the poetic rustic charm and natural scenery.

The colors of red maples and cherry blossoms set off this mountain path paved with blue stones, making the spring vibe ripple.

Here, a large peach orchard—at this time, the peach blossoms had just fallen.

The village with white walls and grey tiles in the peach orchard was fresh and elegant, like a faint pencil sketch.

A large stone tablet detailed the old Jiangning place name 'Dashiao.' The Shiao Taoyuan at the foot of Niushoushan features lucid mountains and waters. After years of development, it has become a Jiangnan pastoral landscape integrating mountains, water, woods, and dwellings. This new type of agritainment destination, though with strong artificial traces, offers mountains, water, food, and fun—truly a unique delight. If you get tired from hiking Niushoushan, you can rest here, taste unique farm-style local snacks, observe the village's appearance, and enjoy its fresh ecological environment. Shiao Village is indeed a great place for resting, sampling local flavors, and having fun.

After leisurely strolling around the village for a while, I drove along the lovely Sanbao Road and left.