Two Must-See Cherry Blossom Viewing Routes at Nanjing's Xuanwu Lake in March!

Recommended cherry blossom viewing routes at Xuanwu Lake: 1️⃣ Romantic Lakeside Cherry Blossom Route This route is perfect for those with plenty of time who want to take a leisurely stroll and fully appreciate the scenery of Xuanwu Lake and its cherry blossoms. The entire route is about 6–7 km and takes an estimated 3–4 hrs. Xuanwu Gate Entrance (Yingzhou Island): Yingzhou Island, directly in front of Xuanwu Gate, is a classic cherry blossom viewing area in Xuanwu Lake. Walk along the lakeside path, where cherry blossom trees line both sides of the road. The blossoms resemble clouds and rosy clouds, and when a gentle breeze blows, the petals fall onto the lake's surface, creating a romantic "cherry blossom rain." Fangqiao Bridge - Liangzhou Island: Cross Fangqiao Bridge to reach Liangzhou Island. Along the way, you'll pass small paths dotted with cherry blossoms. Near the Jinling Bonsai Garden on Liangzhou Island, there are also several uniquely shaped cherry blossom trees that complement the bonsai art. Cuihong Causeway - Cuizhou Island: Walk along Cuihong Causeway to Cuizhou Island. The cherry blossoms on both sides of the causeway and the sparkling lake water complement each other, creating a beautiful spring scene. After arriving at Cuizhou Island, stroll along the winding paths on the island to discover many cherry blossom trees hidden among the green trees, offering a unique sense of tranquility and elegance. Lingzhou Island: Take a boat or walk from Cuizhou Island to Lingzhou Island. The cherry blossoms on Lingzhou Island are mostly distributed around the open lawn, offering a wide view. The distant Purple Mountain echoes the blooming cherry blossoms, making it a great spot for photos. Jiefangmen Gate Exit: Finally, stroll from Lingzhou Island towards Jiefangmen Gate. Along the way, you can also enjoy the cherry blossoms beneath the city walls. 2️⃣ Express Cherry Blossom Route If you have limited time but still want to quickly appreciate the essence of Xuanwu Lake's cherry blossoms, this route is perfect. The entire route is about 2–3 km and takes an estimated 1.5–2 hrs. Xuanwu Gate Entrance: Enter the park directly from Xuanwu Gate and head straight to Yingzhou Island. This area has the highest concentration of cherry blossom trees in Xuanwu Lake and is the core area for cherry blossom viewing. Stroll along the lakeside and island paths to admire the delicate beauty of the cherry blossoms from various angles. Qinglv Garden (Couple's Garden): Qinglv Garden is connected to Xuanwu Lake, and there are also large areas of cherry blossoms in bloom within the garden, especially near the Flower Avenue. The pink cherry blossoms intertwine with various other flowers, creating a colorful spectacle. 🚘 Public Transportation: ✅ Xuanwu Gate: Take Subway Line 1 to Xuanwu Gate Station, Exit 3, which leads directly to the Xuanwu Gate entrance. ✅ Jiefangmen Gate: Take Subway Line 3 to Jiming Temple Station, Exit 5, and walk for a few minutes to reach Jiefangmen Gate. ✅ Driving: There are several parking lots around Xuanwu Lake, but parking spaces are limited during the peak cherry blossom season. It is recommended to arrive early. After parking, choose the nearest entrance to the park based on the parking lot location.