Qixia Mountain is located in Qixia District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, and is a famous cultural and natural scenic area.
The mountain is dotted with ancient sites and rich in vegetation, especially the red maple in autumn, which makes it one of the “Four Great Maple Viewing Spots in China”.
The main peak of Qixia Mountain, Fengxiang Peak, has an elevation of 286 meters, and there are several scenic spots on the mountain, including Qixia Temple and Qianfo Grottoes.
Reservation and Opening Hours:
- Opening Hours: Qixia Mountain Scenic Area is open from 7:00 to 17:00, and Qixia Ancient Temple is open from 8:00 to 16:00.
- Address: No. 88, Qixia Street, Qixia District, Nanjing City.
Ticket Information:
- Regular Price: 25 RMB per person (Off-peak season)
- Red Maple Festival Period: 40 RMB per person (Peak season)
- Ticket Purchase: Tickets can be purchased through the link provided by Nanjing Local Treasure.
Transportation Guide:
- By Bus: Take bus routes 138, 194, 195, 196, 197, 326, 327, or 332 to Qixia Temple Station, or routes 206 or 207 to Qixia Mountain Station.
- By Subway: Take Line 1 to Nanjing Station, Line 3 to Xinzhuang Station, or Line 4 to Jubaoshan Station, then transfer to bus route 206 to Qixia Station; take Line 2 to Xuezhe Road Station, then transfer to bus route 138 to Qixia Station.
- By Car: Navigate to the West Gate of Qixia Mountain Scenic Area. The parking lot is located under the Fourth Bridge and at the Wu Fu Homestead roundabout.
Hiking Routes:
- Recommended Route: Mingjing Lake (Maple Viewing) — Qixia Temple — Qianfo Grottoes — Sarira Pagoda — Red Maple Forest (Maple Viewing) — Xiaoyingpan — Liao Fan Asks Tao — Fenglin Lake (Maple Viewing) — Taixu Pavilion — Fengxiang Peak (Maple Viewing).
- Descending Route: Fengxiang Peak (Maple Viewing) — Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Riverside Spot — Red Leaf Valley (Maple Viewing) — Hu Mountain — Biyun Pavilion — Peach Blossom Stream (Maple Viewing) — Dielang Rock.
Attraction Recommendations:
- Qixia Temple: One of the four famous Buddhist temples in China, and the birthplace of the “Sanlun School” of Buddhism.
- Mingjing Lake: Built during the Qing Qianlong period, with a pavilion in the center of the lake.
- Qianfo Grottoes: Known as the easternmost “Dunhuang relics” in China.
- Sarira Pagoda: A Buddhist stone pagoda from the Five Dynasties period.
- Red Leaf Valley: A new red leaf viewing area characterized by peculiar rocks and red leaves.
- Peach Blossom Stream: In spring, peach blossoms bloom, and it is the site of Li Xiangjun’s tomb.
Tour Suggestions:
- Best Season: Spring and autumn, especially for maple viewing in the fall.
- Dress: Comfortable hiking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
- Bring: Sufficient water and food, as well as necessary sun protection and rain gear.
Precautions:
- Follow the scenic area regulations, do not climb or touch cultural relics.
- Protect the environment and do not litter.
- Pay attention to safety, especially in crowded areas.
- If driving, try to arrive early; otherwise, parking may be further away.