Zijin Mountain Toutuo Ridge Scenic Area

Zijin Mountain Toutuo Ridge Scenic Area

Zijin Mountain is located in the eastern suburbs of Nanjing, also known as Zhongshan Mountain. Since ancient times, it has been recognized as one of the Four Famous Mountains of Jiangnan, renowned for its “refined beauty in Jinling.” It is a place where Nanjing’s historical sites are densely clustered, a national ecological culture demonstration area, home to world cultural heritage, and the site of the first batch of China’s 5A-level scenic spots — the Zhongshan Scenic Area, situated on the southern foothills of Zijin Mountain. With a main peak elevation of 448.9 meters and stretching approximately 30 kilometers around, its three peaks are connected like a giant dragon. The integration of mountain, water, and city creates a majestic and magnificent landscape. In ancient times, it was described as “Zhongshan coils like a dragon, and Stone City crouches like a tiger,” and it has been highly prestigious since the Three Kingdoms and Han dynasties.

Having remained lush and green for thousands of years, Zijin Mountain has witnessed ten dynasties of emperors and heroes, with its pines and cypresses standing evergreen. Embracing diverse cultures and various natural wonders, it stands out among the mountains, encompassing the cultural series of the Six Dynasties, Ming Dynasty, Republic of China, landscape-city-forest culture, eco-leisure culture, and Buddhist culture. It is honored as the “No. 1 Cultural Mountain within a Chinese City.”

There are many historical sites around Zijin Mountain. To the south of the mountain are the Zixia Cave and One-Person Spring; right in front of the mountain lies the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum; to the west are the Plum Blossom Hill, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, and the tombs of Liao Zhongkai and He Xiangning; to the east are the Linggu Park and the tomb of Deng Yanda; and to the north are the tombs of Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Li Wenzhong, and others from the Ming Dynasty. During the Six Dynasties period, there were many temples on the mountain, but today only the Linggu Temple remains.

The Toutuo Ridge Scenic Area is located at the top of Zijin Mountain. The main peak, Beigaofeng, has an elevation of 448 meters and is called Toutuo Ridge. The nearby Xiaomaoshan to the east rises to 350 meters. Major attractions include the Listening-to-the-Qin Pavilion, Qin-Playing Rock, the ruins of the Ancient Toutuo Temple, the Guanyin Lotus Pond, the relief wall depicting the life of Zhu Yuanzhang, and the No. 1 Maitreya Buddha in Jiangnan.

Scenic Area Address: On the top of Zijin Mountain, Zhongshan Scenic Area, Xuanwu District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province

Transportation: Take bus routes 20, 315, or You 3 within Nanjing City and get off at the Zijin Mountain Cableway Station.