June 27-30, the 14th Asia Outdoor Exhibition Ziranpai Outdoor Carnival at Nanjing Xinzhuang National Exhibition Center, Xuanwu Lake Lovers' Garden, is about to open. Knowing you have a busy schedule, I’ve prepared a guide. The reading order: travel, activities, food, accommodation. Estimated reading time: 3 minutes. Too busy to read ...
June 27–30
14th Asia Outdoor Exhibition
"Ziranpai" Outdoor Carnival
Nanjing Xinzhuang National Exhibition Center
Xuanwu Lake Couple's Garden
Opening soon
We know you're busy with work
So we've prepared this guide for you
Xingwenshunxu:Xingyouchizhu
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes — no time to explain, hop on board!
Transportation
If you’re new to Nanjing, besides taking a taxi directly to the Asia Expo / carnival venue,
please see the image below:
Tips: Friends from all over, if you're taking Metro Line 3, please look for Exit 2 at Nanjing Forestry University Xinzhuang Station.
Sightseeing
Purple Mountain:
Also known as Zhongshan Mountain, Purple Mountain features rolling peaks and beautiful scenery, with greenery everywhere.
At the end of June,the "Ziranpai" Outdoor Carnival will kick off its trail running event here.We have a 35km professional race — are all you seasoned runners getting pumped up? In addition,there’s also a 10km challengethat’s perfect for running enthusiasts. While having fun exercising, you can alsorun the same route as the pros..
Registration is now open, so come join us!
Purple Mountain, where beauty and spirit unite, wears a verdant crown like a crouching tiger or coiled dragon.
Purple Mountain is also considered the mother mountain of Nanjing. With an elevation of over 400 meters, halfway up you’ll find the former site of the astronomical observatory, which you can visit for a fee. At the summit, there’s a huge viewing platform where you can gaze at the panorama of Nanjing.
At the same time, Purple Mountain neighbors Xuanwu Lake and Baima Park, and also provides access to attractions such as the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Underwater World, making it an ideal destination for family trips.
Xuanwu Lake:
Along with South Lake in Jiaxing and West Lake in Hangzhou, it is known asone of the “Three Famous Lakes of the Jiangnan Region,” and is a national 4A-level tourist attraction.It is the largest urban park in the Jiangnan area and the largest imperial garden lake in China. Within Xuanwu Lake, there is also the Lovers' Garden, which is planted with a large variety of greenery and flowers such as tulips and peach blossoms. The scenery is beautiful, lush, and fragrant, often attracting couples to take wedding photos here.
The first “Ziranpai” Carnival will also be held in the Lovers' Garden, featuring multiple camping zones including RV-themed, Instagrammable bubble-themed, and hotel-style camping themes to meet your personalized needs. Of course, you’re welcome to bring your own tent, as our barbecue area is ready for you to enjoy some outdoor cooking fun.
During the day, we offer rock climbing and a variety of water activities:kayaking and paddleboarding;and at night, the nightlife is just as exciting:outdoor music festivals and film screenings,guaranteed to get you pumped up in no time. Don’t worry about bringing the kids—we have afamily zonewith balance bikes, a kids’ triathlon of climbing, running, and paddleboarding, DIY crafts like pottery carving… and more waiting for you.
In addition, Xuanwu Lake has five major green spaces, among which Yingzhou is a great spot for summer cooling, lotus viewing, and photography. As the saying goes: “Boundless lotus leaves stretch to the sky, lotus blossoms glow red under the sun.”
Food
Duck Edition:
While Sichuan and Chongqing can’t do without spice, Nanjing can’t do without duck.
Salted duck, roast duck, pressed duck, osmanthus duck… there’s no way any duck can leave Nanjing alive. Wondering what local specialty to bring back? Look for Han Fuxing—they offer vacuum-packed gift boxes and ready-to-eat cured meats. Can't dine in? No problem, grab some to take to the carnival camping site. Super convenient.
(The Hunan Road branch is close to the exhibition hall/carnival venue.)
As the saying goes, if you haven’t tried duck blood vermicelli soup, you haven’t really been to Nanjing. No wonder you’ll find duck blood vermicelli soup shops all over the streets of Nanjing. Here are a few well-known old brands we recommend: Yin’s Soup Dumplings / Duck Castle / Huíwèi / Jīnyuán.
A ladle of vermicelli is swished in an old duck broth, then topped with crispy duck intestines, tender duck liver, delicious duck blood, and a small spoonful of chili oil—absolutely delightful.
Snack Edition
Mingwacang Snack Street:
mini fish pancakes, egg burgers, Cuo Nei Xiao Juan Cun, Bianjing Tea House…
Shiziqiao Food Street:
balut, fried octopus balls, osmanthus cake, chicken juice soup dumplings…
Confucius Temple:
Huangqiao baked cakes, osmanthus-filled mini glutinous rice balls, stinky tofu, assorted vegetable buns…
Laomendong:
plum blossom cake, iced bean curd pudding, sweet rice porridge with lotus root, Jiangyouji potstickers…
Restaurants
1. Nanjing Impression
The interior decoration is classic and traditional, as if you’ve stepped into old Nanjing during the Republican era. The dish names are also quite unique: Republican-era Meiling Porridge, Traditional Sweet Taro Balls, Osmanthus Rice Cake, Jinling Fried Stinky Tofu... Every evening from 18:00 to 21:00, there are live performances of authentic Pingtan ballads. The place is very popular, and you can reserve a number in advance via their official WeChat account.
2. Yonghe Garden Restaurant
Established in 1901, its predecessor can be traced back to the “Xueyuan” teahouse and dim sum shop from the late Qing Dynasty. It specializes in Huaiyang cuisine, especially the snacks of the Qinhuai area: a bowl of Red Bean Soup with Glutinous Rice Balls, paired with dried shrimp shreds and a sprinkle of tiny shrimp, is simply exquisite. Crab Roe Soup Dumplings are also one of their specialties.
Accommodation
Nanjing Xuanwu Lake Holiday Hotel
Strategically located, just 500 meters from the carnival venue and 1,000 meters from the Asia Exhibition; the hotel features multiple multifunctional meeting rooms, convenient for hosting conferences; it also offers family-friendly kids’ rooms, making it a top choice for travelers with children.
Nanjing Jinling Star Hotel
Located at No. 169 Longpan Road, right opposite the Xinzhuang National Exhibition Center, it’s only 270 meters from the Asia Exhibition and 570 meters from the carnival site; close to Nanjing Railway Station and East Bus Station; backed by the lush green Purple Mountain and overlooking the shimmering waters of Xuanwu Lake, it offers convenient transportation and beautiful scenery.
Other partner hotels: Xuanwu Restaurant, Zijinshan Manor, New Century Grand Hotel, Century Yuan Lakeside Garden Hotel, Panda Jinling Hotel, Mansion Hotel, Vienna Hotel (Zhongshan Mausoleum Branch), Nanlin Building.
Benefit Information:
During the exhibition period (June 27–30), check in at any of the above 10 hotels and mention “Asia Outdoor Exhibition” to enjoy exclusive Asia Exhibition discounts. For specific discount details, please contact the hotel directly.
The 14th Asia Outdoor Exhibition
The 1st “Ziran Pai” Outdoor Carnival
June 27–30, Nanjing
Xinzhuang National Exhibition Center & Xuanwu Lake Lovers' Garden