Follow the Photographer's Lens to Capture the Breathtaking Autumn Splendor of Jinling

As soon as autumn arrives, Nanjing transforms into Jinling.

One of the four great ancient capitals, this cultural city known as the 'Capital of Ten Dynasties' boasts not only splendid historical and cultural relics, but also graceful natural landscapes of mountains and waters. The scenery here changes with the seasons, and autumn is especially celebrated. Today, a photographer will guide us on a tour to admire the deep autumn charm of Jinling, where the whole city is clad in golden armor.

The autumn color at Ming Xiaoling can be summed up as 'the most beautiful 600 meters.' On both sides of the Sacred Way, with its stone statues, gingko and Chinese tallow trees have been planted. Come November, they turn golden all over, ablaze with flowing colors. If you arrive in the early morning and happen to encounter a mist, congratulations—you can definitely capture blockbuster photos that will blow up your social media. Every morning, this place gathers photography enthusiasts with their long lenses and all kinds of influencers dressed in Hanfu, becoming a free open-air school for learning photography.

After photographing the Stone Statue Road, you can also head to the Ming Xiaoling mausoleum itself. The golden gingko leaves set against the yellow tiles and red walls are another spot where you can produce stunning images in an instant.

Admission: 60 yuan; free entry before 6:30 AM.

Best time for autumn colors: Late October to early December.

'Spring on Niushou, autumn on Qixia.' A Qixia Mountain holds half the history of Jinling. With numerous historical sites, it is home not only to the millennia-old Qixia Temple—a renowned ancient monastery south of the Yangtze, the cradle of the Three Treatise School of Buddhism, and one of the four great monastic centers—but also one of China's four premier maple-viewing destinations. In late autumn, the mountains are covered in red, with frosted leaves more brilliant than spring flowers, making people pause and linger.

Admission: 40 yuan; free entry before 7:00 AM.

Best time for autumn colors: Mid-November to mid-December.

Known as the 'Pearl of Jinling,' Xuanwu Lake is dotted with five distinctive islets linked by bridges and causeways. The scenery is delightful in all seasons, but for autumn views, Liangzhou Islet is the best.

It is named Liangzhou because legend has it that Prince Zhaoming of the Liang Dynasty once built a 'Liang Garden' here. Around the Lanrange Pavilion, gingko trees abound, turning a brilliant gold each autumn—an iconic autumn sight of Xuanwu Lake.

Admission: Free city park.

Best time for autumn colors: Mid-November to early December.

The foremost of the '480 temples of the Southern Dynasties,' Jiming Temple has in modern times somehow gained a reputation for being very effective in praying for romantic connections, drawing crowds of hopeful men and women seeking love.

Jiming Temple itself is not large, but it contains everything a temple should, rather like creating a grand ritual within a snail shell. The best photography spot is Taicheng, just outside the temple. Looking towards Jiming Temple from Taicheng, all the walls appear golden, sunlight filtering through layers of golden leaves, dappled and shifting—this is autumn at its most beautiful.

Admission: 10 yuan, includes three complimentary incense sticks.

Best time for autumn colors: Mid-November to late November.

During the Republic of China era, Pilu Temple was the national center of Buddhism, housing the Chinese Buddhist Association, the Chinese Buddhist Research Society, and the Chinese Religious Association. As a 'Golden Light Sanctuary,' it marks a transitional milestone from traditional to modern Chinese Buddhism. Though small, the two towering gingko trees in front of the Wanfo Hall resemble huge golden prayer flags standing beside the Buddha statues each autumn. Paired with the bright red railings, they create a scene that is vibrant, vivid, and full of charm.

Best time for autumn colors: Early November to late November.

Legend has it that after surveying Nanjing's terrain, Zhuge Liang exclaimed, 'Zhongshan coils like a dragon, Stone City crouches like a tiger—this is the dwelling of an emperor.' The crouching tiger refers to present-day Qingliang Mountain.

There are many scenic spots here, but the best autumn colors are found in Gingko Valley and Chongzheng Academy.

Admission: Free city park.

Best time for autumn colors: Early November to late November.

Huiji Temple, formerly known as Tangquan Chan Monastery, was a place where Prince Zhaoming Xiao Tong of the Liang Dynasty once studied and personally planted three gingko trees. After a thousand years of wind and rain, these trees—now over 1,300 years old—are the earliest surviving ancient gingkoes in the Nanjing area and genuine rare treasures.

The three trees have been named 'Thousand-Year Dripping Stalactite,' 'Propping Up the Sky,' and 'Lightning Revival.' Each is tall, robust, and still vigorous in old age, echoing from afar the ancient temple.

Best time for autumn colors: Early November to late November.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Pearl Spring was renowned throughout the land as the 'Number One Sightseeing Spot North of the Yangtze.' The spring gets its name from visitors shouting at the water's edge, causing strings of bubbles to rise like strings of pearls.

In autumn, besides enjoying the red maples lining the paths, you can also photograph flocks of egrets and other waterbirds perching on the dawn redwoods by the lake.

Best time for autumn colors: Early November to mid-December.

Reputed as the 'Most Famous Historic Site in Jinling,' this is the highest-ranking, largest-scale, and best-preserved set of palace-style ancient buildings in the Jiangnan region, now home to the Nanjing Municipal Museum.

In the Southern Dynasties, it was the site of the Zongming Guan Imperial Academy. During the Ming Dynasty, it served as a place where court ceremonies were rehearsed and where sons of officials and civil and military officers learned the etiquette of imperial audiences.

With its yellow walls and green tiles against a backdrop of golden gingko leaves, the ancient architectural complex is brimming with classical charm, attracting many Hanfu enthusiasts to linger.

Admission: The first courtyard is free, allowing photos of the yellow-walled gingko scenery; the museum area beyond costs 25 yuan.

Best time for autumn colors: Early November to late November.

During the Ming Dynasty, the Hongwu Emperor personally bestowed the name 'Linggu Chan Monastery' and declared it the 'Number One Chan Forest Under Heaven,' making it one of the three great monasteries of Ming Buddhism. The temple currently enshrines the parietal relic of the Venerable Xuanzang.

In 1928, the Nationalist Government built a memorial cemetery for the fallen soldiers of the National Revolutionary Army at the original Linggu Temple site, along with the Linggu Pagoda.

Best time for autumn colors: Early November to early December.

Liuhui Pavilion, also called the Waterside Pavilion, is situated beside the road from Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum to Linggu Temple. It was funded and built in 1932 by the Central Army Officer Academy of the Kuomintang. The pavilion faces water on three sides and connects to land on one, joined by stone steps. Its cream-colored glazed tiles and peacock-green columns and railings harmonize beautifully with the surroundings.

Best time for autumn colors: Early November to mid-December.

Gulou (Drum Tower) was first built in the 15th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1382), with over 600 years of history. As the saying goes, 'morning bell, evening drum,' its original function was to house a large drum that was beaten at regular intervals to announce the night watches.

Gingko trees surround the tower; in the autumn sun, the tower's crimson walls against the golden leaves are a match made in heaven. When a breeze stirs, the leaves flutter down. In this romantic season, the most romantic thing is to stand under a tree blanketed with fallen leaves, letting the golden foliage shower your body. Here, you can also admire the majestic silhouette of Zifeng Tower, Nanjing's tallest skyscraper.

Best time for autumn colors: Mid-November to early December.

Zhima Ridge Forest Park

Nanjing's little Jiuzhaigou, and the most beautiful time of the year here is autumn. The fiery-red dawn redwoods, their reflections mirrored in the water under the sunlight—it’s as if a celestial painter spilled his palette, as tranquil as an oil painting.

On autumn mornings, a mist weaves through the forest, water birds glide among the trees, and sunlight pierces the gaps, casting countless golden rays—like a fairyland on earth.

Best time for autumn colors: Mid-November to mid-December.

Chishan Lake Wetland Park

Home to over 50,000 dawn redwood trees, this is the largest dawn redwood forest in East China. The park boasts rich birdlife and beautiful ecological scenery, with a unique wetland landscape of 'redwood silhouettes and lingering birds.'

Under the autumn sun, the rust-colored dawn redwoods stand silently in the water, dappled sunlight falling upon them—a beauty beyond words.

Visitors can take a boat ride through the layered autumn colors of the redwood forest, watch red-crowned cranes being released, and bird enthusiasts can fully indulge in 'bird shooting' (photographing birds).

Admission: 120 yuan; boat ticket: 40 yuan.

Best time for autumn colors: Mid-November to mid-December.

Daquan Lake Fengcai Mancheng Scenic Area, themed around romance, color, joy, and eco-tourism, is a comprehensive leisure and vacation destination.

The Maple Avenue here is lined on both sides with red maples. In autumn, they seem like blazing torches. As you drive slowly through, you can take in all the beauty at once.

Admission: Special price 40 yuan.

Best time for autumn colors: Late October to mid-November.

A single Yihe Road holds half the history of the Republic of China era. In autumn, the street is covered with colorful plane trees, set off against the yellow walls of republican-era buildings, as exquisite as a painting.

At the intersection of Ninghai Road and Yuquan Road, you can also photograph the internet-famous 'heart-shaped' tree hollow.

Best time for autumn colors: All seasons are suitable.