Purple Mountain (Zhongshan)
紫金山
Zhongshan, the 'Dragon Coiled on Zhong Mountain' east of Nanjing. The summit of Toutuo Ridge overlooks the entire city, and hiking trails and a cable car link it to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum area.
Purple Mountain, also known as Zhongshan, rises about 448 m and forms a natural barrier to the east of Nanjing. The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Linggu Temple lie on its southern slopes, together making up the Zhongshan Scenic Area. Several hiking trails cross the mountain. The most popular runs from Zhongshan Gate or the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum up to Toutuo Ridge, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours. From the top, you can look out over Xuanwu Lake and the city skyline. You can also take the Purple Mountain cable car to near Toutuo Ridge. Most trails are free, while a one-way cable car ticket costs several dozen yuan. Weekends are crowded, and if you descend at dusk, bring a light.
Opening hours
Open all day; cable car approx. 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Purple Mountain Observatory
- Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
- Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-sen
- Music Stage of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
- Meiling Palace
- Linggu Temple
- Nanjing Museum