Hello, I’m Lila Jiang, a China travel expert with over 10 years of experience. During these years, I’ve traveled extensively around the world. Next, we’ll explore the natural charm and royal heritage of Xuanwu Lake. From ancient royal garden history and stunning lake views to poetic landscapes and immersive cultural experiences, we’ll help you uncover why this “Pearl of Jinling” is a must-visit in Nanjing.
Introduction
Quick Facts: Xuanwu Lake Scenic Area
- Location: Xuanwu District, Central Nanjing, Jiangsu Province
- History: Over 2,200 years (ancient name: Sangbo; named Xuanwu Lake since 466 AD)
- Size: 472 hectares (368 hectares water, 104 hectares land)
- Peak Season: March–May (spring blossoms), June–August (lotus), September–November (autumn foliage)
- Key Tip: Free admission | No reservation required for most areas
- Best Time to Visit: 9:00 am (morning calm) or 4:00 pm (sunset over the lake)
Xuanwu Lake is China’s largest remaining royal garden lake and a national AAAA-level scenic spot, known as the “Pearl of Jinling”. Nestled at the foot of Purple Mountain and alongside the ancient Ming City Wall, it blends mountains, water, city, and forest into one stunning landscape. Dating back to the pre-Qin period, it served as an imperial garden and military training ground for the Six Dynasties, witnessing the rise and fall of dynasties and inspiring poets like Li Bai and Wei Zhuang. Today, it’s a free urban oasis where history meets daily life—perfect for leisurely walks, boating, and cultural exploration.
Tickets & Opening Hours
2026 Xuanwu Lake visit planning is simple—free entry for all core areas with flexible opening hours.
- Entrance Ticket: Free (permanent open park; no basic admission fee)
- Paid Items: Boats (30–80 RMB/~4.2–11.1 USD/hour), sightseeing tram (50 RMB/~6.9 USD/person), amusement park rides
- Reservation: No advance booking required for entry; popular boat tours may need reservation on weekends
Opening Hours:
- Five Continents (Wuzhou) Area: 6:00 am – 9:00 pm (daily)
- Lakeside Ring Road: 24 hours open (free access)
- Boat Operations: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm (peak season); 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (off-season)
Note for International Travelers: Entry with passport is allowed. Paid services accept Alipay, WeChat Pay, and international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard). Free English maps available at main entrances.
Main Scenic Areas & Attractions
Five Continents (Wuzhou) Core Scenic Area
The heart of Xuanwu Lake, consisting of five interconnected islets—Ring Continent, Cherry Continent, Liang Continent, Cui Continent, and Ling Continent. Each has unique scenery:
- Liang Continent: Oldest and most cultural, with the Shengqi Tower and Yellow Register Warehouse ruins.
- Cherry Continent: Famous for cherry blossoms in spring.
- Ring Continent: Lined with willows and home to Guo Pu’s Tomb.
Shili Longdi (Ten-Li Long Embankment)
A 1.5km historic embankment built in the Qing Dynasty, the best spot for sunset and city skyline views. Lined with cherry blossoms and willows, it’s ideal for evening strolls and photography.
Taicheng Yanliu (Terrace City Willows)
A section of the lakeside Ming City Wall with weeping willows—one of the “New Eight Scenes of Xuanwu Lake”. Perfect for capturing the ancient wall-lake reflection.
Guo Pu’s Tomb
Ancient tomb of Guo Pu, a renowned Eastern Jin Dynasty scholar and writer, located on Ring Continent. A key Six Dynasties cultural relic.
Ming Yellow Register Warehouse Ruins
Site of the Ming Dynasty’s imperial archive for household registration records. The exhibition hall displays artifacts and tells the story of ancient Chinese governance.
Transportation
Getting to Xuanwu Lake from downtown Nanjing is extremely convenient via subway, bus, or taxi.
🚇 Subway (Recommended)
- Line 1 → Xuanwumen Station (Exit 3) → Walk 200m to Xuanwu Gate (main entrance).
- Line 3/4 → Jimingsi Station (Exit 5) → Walk 500m to Jiefang Gate.
🚌 Bus
- Buses 3, 22, 30, 47, 57 → Xuanwu Lake Station → Walk 3 minutes to the entrance.
🚕 Taxi
- Ask for “Xuanwu Lake (Xuanwumen)” → Drivers are familiar with the location.
- Cost from downtown Nanjing: 20–35 RMB (~2.8–4.9 USD).
From Airports/Railway Stations:
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport → Xuanwu Lake: 50 mins by taxi (90–110 RMB/~12.5–15.3 USD); or take Airport Express to Nanjing South Railway Station, then Line 1 subway.
- Nanjing South Railway Station → Xuanwu Lake: 20 mins by Line 1 subway (3 RMB/~0.4 USD).
Experience & Activities
Boating on the Lake
- Swan Duck Boats: Cute pedal boats (60 RMB/~8.3 USD/hour) for 2–4 people.
- Motor Boats: 80 RMB/~11.1 USD/hour (up to 6 people).
- Cruise Tours: 80 RMB/~11.1 USD/person (40 mins) with lake and city views.
Sightseeing Tram
- Round-Lake Tram: 50 RMB/~6.9 USD/person, 40 mins loop with stops at key attractions.
Cultural & Seasonal Events
- Spring (Mar–May): Cherry blossom and tulip exhibitions.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Lotus viewing and night boat tours.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Ginkgo foliage and poetry events.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Migratory bird watching and lake ice views.
MR Immersive Experience
- “Fantasy Xuanwu” MR: 80 RMB/~11.1 USD/person—mixed reality tour of Six Dynasties history with Vision Pro technology.
Practical Tips & Etiquette
- Free Entry, Paid Extras: Core park is free; budget for boats/trams if needed.
- Best Visiting Time: Arrive before 10:00 am on weekends to avoid crowds.
- Comfortable Shoes: Wear walking shoes—3–4 hours of strolling around the lake.
- Photography: No restrictions; best spots at Shili Longdi (sunset) and Liang Continent (ancient architecture).
- Eco Rules: No littering, no swimming, no disturbing birds.
- Luggage: Free small lockers at Xuanwu Gate; large bags not allowed in core areas.
- Water: Free drinking water stations near Liang Continent and Cherry Continent—bring a reusable bottle.
Food
Inside the Scenic Area
- Lakeside Snack Stalls: Bingsi (shaved ice, 15 RMB/~2.1 USD), grilled corn (10 RMB/~1.4 USD), and tea eggs (5 RMB/~0.7 USD).
- Wuzhou Teahouse: Traditional Nanjing tea (40 RMB/~5.5 USD/pot) and osmanthus cakes (15 RMB/~2.1 USD).
Nearby (within 1km)
- Xuanwu Lake Food Street: Local specialties including Nanjing Salted Duck (60 RMB/~8.3 USD), duck blood soup (25 RMB/~3.5 USD), and osmanthus glutinous rice cakes (12 RMB/~1.7 USD).
- Laomen Dong Restaurant: Authentic Huaiyang cuisine—braised pork ribs (68 RMB/~9.4 USD) and steamed fish (88 RMB/~12.2 USD). Meal for 2: ~180 RMB (~25 USD).
- Wangfujing Snack Street: Street food like jianbing (10 RMB/~1.4 USD) and stinky tofu (15 RMB/~2.1 USD).
With this guide, you’ll know the best time to visit Xuanwu Lake and enjoy its timeless royal beauty and serene lake views in 2026.
Lila Jiang
She is Lila Jiang, a 28-year-old girl.
With over 10 years in the travel industry, she’s chased wanderlust near and far;
what she loves most is diving into local cultures,
finding hidden gems, and connecting with people who bring journeys to life.