Nanjing Local's Hidden Guide｜Avoid the Crowds! 3 Days & 2 Nights Exploring Jinling

📍Day1: Time Travel to the Republic Era × Wutong Tree Wonderland ➊ 6:30 AM Exclusive Access to Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum's Stone Elephant Path ✅ Stunning when the Chinese tallow trees turn red in late autumn. Summer mornings feature magical light beams through the Sacred Way, offering an empty "Forbidden City" vibe. 📸 Photo Tips: Free entry before 7 AM. Shoot upwards at the stone path and statues—Hanfu outfits make perfect shots! ➋ Republic-era Mansions on Yilu Road ✅ Yellow walls and red windows under wutong trees. Sip coffee at Pioneer Bookstore (Poetry Branch) while browsing rare art books. 🍂 Hidden Gem: Find the "Heart-shaped Wutong Tree"—a must-capture for couples! ➌ Aerial View of Meiling Palace's "Necklace" ✅ Admire Soong May-ling’s Chanel collection in the 2nd-floor wardrobe, then photograph the "emerald necklace" of wutong trees from the balcony. ➍ Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Music Terrace: Human vs. Pigeons 🕊️ 3 PM pigeon feeding frenzy! Shouting "coo-coo~" works better than "come here"—Nanjing dialect magic. 📍Day2: Old Town Vibes × Nighttime Qinhuai River ➎ Breakfast Feast in Hongmiao 🍜 Must-Eats: - Da Ji Braised Duck (crispy skin, tender meat) - Xiao Yun Kai Soup Dumplings (bursting crab roe filling) - Stewed White Fish Noodle Soup (locals' breakfast staple) ➏ Night Tour of Ganxi Residence 🏮 Every Fri/Sat: Carry lanterns to hunt for wooden movable type, then shoot vintage-style photos in the "99½ Rooms." ➐ Enter Laomendong via the Side Gate! 🚶 Skip the main street and head straight to Sanjiaoying Alley: - Jiang Youji Pan-Fried Dumplings paired with Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup - Firewood Wonton eaten on bluestone steps ➑ Sunset at Zhonghua Gate Castle 🌇 Touch 600-year-old brick inscriptions, then drone-capture the surreal skyline where the city wall "pierces" the Zifeng Tower. 📍Day3: Zen Landscapes × Hidden Gems ➒ Niushou Mountain's Buddha Crown Palace 🕌 The underground palace dome blooms like a lotus. Wear solid-color maxi dresses for "Buddhist sci-fi" shots. ⚠️ Indoor temps demand a down jacket—rent a cloak at the entrance to channel "Doctor Strange in Jinling." ➓ Shijiuhu Lake's "Totoro Grass Sea" 🌊 Walk along S9 line at low tide for reflections of trains + Tiffany-blue waters (best light at 3 PM). 🍜【Local-Approved Food Map】 ✅ Choose one: Kexiang → Hongmiao → Nanhu - Li Ji Halal: Juicy pan-fried dumplings + beef offal soup with chili oil - Lan Lao Da Sweet Congee: Eat at the alley mouth while watching locals shop - Aunt Dong’s Minced Meat Pancake: Legendary 4 AM street breakfast 🚫 Avoid: Confucius Temple tourist-grade salted duck; overhyped Kexiang queues. 📸【Photo Magic】 ✨ Outfit Tips: - Republic-era cheongsam (Yilu Road/Ganxi Residence) - Solid-color maxi dresses (Niushou Mountain/Buddha Crown Palace) ⚡ Secret Spots: - Xiaguan Train Theme Park (green train cars + riverside lighthouse) - Pukou Railway Station Platform (from Zhu Ziqing’s *Back View*) 💡【Survival Guide】 ☑ Transport: Subway = "ditie"; say "take Zhongshan South Road" to sound local. ☑ Stay: Laomendong B&Bs or Xinjiekou hotels—food at your doorstep. ☑ Seasonal Highlights: - June: Linggu Temple fireflies (lantern-lit night walks) - Sept: Music Terrace doves + Dec: Niushou Mountain snowscapes