Check in at Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang and tour the Jinshan Scenic Area
Jinshan Scenic Area is located at No. 62 Jinshan Road, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province. It features the famous ancient Jinshan Temple and is a national 5A-level scenic spot;
Opening hours: 8:00~18:00 (entry stops at 17:00)
Ticket price: 50 yuan (discounts available for online purchases)
Transportation: self-driving, bus, taxi
Tour highlights:
Jinshan is the first of the three mountains in Zhenjiang (Jinshan, Jiaoshan, Beigu Mountain). Jinshan Temple on Jinshan was built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and has a history of more than 1,600 years. The temple is built along the mountain, with a unique architectural style, densely packed halls, and interconnected pavilions. The mountain is covered with magnificent buildings, forming a unique landscape of 'mountain wrapped in temple.' Jinshan Temple is listed alongside Putuo Temple, Wenshu Temple, and Daming Temple as one of China's four major temples;
Entering the mountain gate is the Hall of Heavenly Kings, with Maitreya Buddha in the center and the Four Heavenly Kings on both sides. Behind the Hall of Heavenly Kings is the Mahavira Hall, with three golden statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha in the center. From the back of the hall, you can climb to the Xizhao Pavilion, Guanyin Pavilion, and Lengjia Terrace to reach the summit of Jinshan at Liuyun Pavilion, which houses an imperial stele inscribed by Emperor Kangxi with the words 'A Panoramic View of the River and Sky.' Here, you can overlook the scenery of Jinshan Lake. From Guanyin Pavilion to the north, you can climb the Cishou Pagoda and visit Fahai Cave, the place where Master Fahai practiced asceticism. Additionally, there is the White Dragon Cave, associated with the legend of the White Lady;
The front of Jinshan Temple is an excellent spot for taking photos, where you can capture both Jinshan Temple and Cishou Pagoda in one frame, making for particularly stunning photos;
Jinshan Scenic Area is very large, with Jinshan Temple being the main attraction. Jinshan Lake is also quite nice, featuring attractions such as Zhongling Spring, the best spring in the world, Three Pagodas Reflecting the Moon, and Furong Tower. The poem 'A heart as pure as ice in a jade pot' by Wang Changling, written at Furong Tower to bid farewell to Xin Jian, is widely known;
Warm tips:
In addition to Jinshan Scenic Area, Zhenjiang Museum, Xijin Ferry Ancient Street, Jiaoshan, and Beigu Mountain are also nearby and worth a visit if you are interested;