Nanjing in Deep Autumn: Qixia Mountain Maples and Purple Mountain's Plane Trees
Deep-autumn highlights: one day for maples on Qixia Mountain, one day for the plane tree and ginkgo avenue from Linggu Temple to the Spirit Way at Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum.
Designed for late November to early December. On day one, get up early for the Qixia Mountain maples and a visit to Qixia Temple, then head back into the city in the afternoon to climb Taicheng for autumn views over Xuanwu Lake. On day two, walk from Linggu Temple into Purple Mountain, passing Meiling Palace and the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, to the Spirit Way at Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, where the plane trees and autumn foliage are at their most concentrated. Staying around Xuanwu Lake makes both destinations easy to reach. Autumn foliage peaks draw huge crowds on weekends, so plan these visits for weekdays if you can.
The maples on Qixia Mountain are at their reddest from mid-November to early December; a warm autumn may push this back.
Day by day
Day 1 · Qixia Mountain Maples and Taicheng Autumn Views
Central Nanjing（Qixia Mountain & Qixia Temple、Jiming Temple、Taicheng City Wall、Xuanwu Lake）
From Nanjing Railway Station, take a bus or taxi to Qixia Mountain, about 40 minutes. Allow about 4 hours for the visit. In the afternoon, return to the city and go to Jiming Temple, then walk up Taicheng for views of Xuanwu Lake.
Enter the park early to beat the maple crowds. Dining options inside the scenic area are limited, so bring simple snacks.
Stay: Xuanwu Lake / Gulou
Day 2 · From Linggu Temple to the Spirit Way for Autumn Foliage
Central Nanjing（Linggu Temple、Meiling Palace、Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum、Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum）
Take a taxi to Linggu Temple, about 20 minutes. A sightseeing shuttle connects Meiling Palace and the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. In the afternoon, walk to the Spirit Way at Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, then take a taxi back to Nanjing Railway Station, about 20 minutes.
The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum requires a real-name reservation. Meiling Palace draws large crowds in autumn for its ivy-covered scenery.