Things to do in Zhenjiang

Zhenjiang Three Mountains Scenic Area is a national 5A-level tourist attraction in Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province. Composed of Jinshan, Jiaoshan, and Beigushan, the three mountains are distributed along the Yangtze River, each with its own unique characteristics, and are renowned as "the best in Southeast China among the Three Mountains of Jingkou." I. Jinshan – Temples Wrapped in the Mountain, Mythical Legends "Jinshan Temple Wrapped in the Mountain"—Buildings such as Cishou Pagoda and Jiangtian Temple are built against the mountain, so from a distance, only the temple is visible, not the mountain itself. It is one of the four most famous Buddhist temples in China, along with Putuo Temple, Wenshu Temple, and Daming Temple. Main Attractions: Jiangtian Temple (Jinshan Temple): An ancient temple from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the origin of the legend of the White Snake flooding Jinshan Temple. Cishou Pagoda: Climb the pagoda for panoramic views of the Yangtze River and Zhenjiang city. Fahai Cave: The place where the Tang Dynasty monk Fahai practiced, contrasting with the legend. The First Spring Under Heaven: Zhongling Spring, praised as "the best under heaven" by Lu Yu of the Tang Dynasty. II. Jiaoshan Mountain – A Natural Landscape, a Hidden Gem of Steles Jiaoshan Mountain, a temple nestled within the Yangtze River, is an island surrounded by water. Reaching the island requires a boat trip. It is renowned for its cliff carvings, stele forest, and ancient fort. Main Attractions: Dinghui Temple: An ancient temple dating back to the Han Dynasty, where Emperor Kangxi once stayed during his southern tour. Jiaoshan Stele Forest (the largest stele forest south of the Yangtze River): Contains a fragment of the *Yizheming* stele (considered the "ancestor of large-character calligraphy"). Cliff Carvings: Inscriptions by literati throughout history, including authentic works by Lu You and Mi Fu. Ancient Fort: Relics of the Opium War resistance against the British. III. Beigushan Mountain – Scenic Beauty, an Epic of the Three Kingdoms Centered on the culture of the Three Kingdoms, it is known as "the most beautiful landscape under heaven," and has been the subject of countless poems and inscriptions throughout history. Main Attractions: Ganlu Temple: The site of the story of Liu Bei's marriage proposal, originally built during the Eastern Wu period of the Three Kingdoms. Beigu Tower: The place referred to in Xin Qiji's poem, "Where can one gaze upon the Central Plains? The scenery of Beigu Tower fills the eyes." Sword Testing Stone: Legend has it that Liu Bei and Sun Quan tested their swords on this stone. Iron Pagoda: A remnant from the Song Dynasty, witnessing the vicissitudes of history.

Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang, also known as Jiangtian Temple, was first built during the reign of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (around 320 AD), boasting a history of over 1600 years. It is the origin of the legend of "Lady White Snake flooding Jinshan Temple" and the ancestral temple of the Chinese Buddhist Water and Land Dharma Assembly. The temple is nestled within the mountain, so one sees the temple but not the mountain itself. Jiangtian Temple: The plaque bearing the inscription "Jiangtian Temple" was personally inscribed by Emperor Kangxi during his southern tour. The magnificent Mahavira Hall is the core of Jinshan Temple. Cishou Pagoda: A landmark of Jinshan, this seven-story, octagonal brick and wood pagoda stands approximately 30 meters tall. Climbing the pagoda offers a panoramic view of the confluence of Jinshan Lake and the Yangtze River, making it a prime location for taking panoramic photos. Fahai Cave and Bailong Cave: Core photo spots related to the Legend of the White Snake. Fahai Cave is where the founding patriarch, Fahai, practiced asceticism; Bailong Cave is said to connect directly to West Lake in Hangzhou. Legend has it that after Lady White Snake flooded Jinshan Temple, Xu Xian escaped from Bailong Cave and reunited with Lady White Snake at the Broken Bridge. Miaogao Terrace: Also known as "Sun-drying Terrace," it is a place where Su Shi once admired the moon and composed poems, and where Liang Hongyu once beat the drum to fight against the Jin army. It is full of historical anecdotes. Zhongling Spring: Located on the west side of the scenic area, it was already famous in the Tang Dynasty and was known as "the No. 1 Spring under Heaven". The spring water is clear and sweet.

Hiking Beigu Mountain alone for 30 yuan during the off-season is a great deal. The mountain is only 55 meters high, not tiring, but the stone steps of the Dongwu Ancient Road can be a bit strenuous, so wear comfortable shoes. Enter from the South Gate and follow the Dongwu Ancient Road—Iron Pagoda—"The First Landscape Under Heaven" stone inscription—Ganlu Temple—Beigu Tower. The whole route takes about 1.5 hours without backtracking. Climbing Beigu Tower is a must. You can get free shoe covers at the entrance. The moment you reach the top, the Yangtze River unfolds beneath your feet, and you instantly understand Xin Qiji's line, "The scenery of Beigu Tower is breathtaking." It's very quiet to stroll alone, with few crowds.

Jinshan Temple is worth a visit. It has a strong Buddhist atmosphere, and you can overlook Zhenjiang from the top of the mountain. The buildings inside are also very beautiful and suitable for taking photos. It is also one of the filming locations for The Legend of the White Snake.

Xijindu's ancient street starts uphill from Changjiang Road, with tire tracks in the middle of the stone-paved road. The brick and stone houses are old and worn, and the steps are quite steep. The Zhaoguan Stone Pagoda stands in the middle of the road, and you can pass underneath it. From the hilltop, you can see the dock and the Yangtze River; at night, the river reflects the lights. There are some old shops on both sides selling pot-lid noodles and braised pork; you can sit down and have a bowl when you're tired from walking. It's less crowded than Shantang Street, but still lively on weekends.

Choosing the right route is crucial when hiking in Maoshan with elderly people and children. Seeing the "Eighth Grotto-Heaven" stele marks the start of the core scenic area. The steps here aren't particularly steep, so a leisurely walk is perfectly fine. The roadside signs are clear, and Yuanfu Wanning Palace is only a few hundred meters away. You can experience Taoist culture without climbing too high. The mountaintop offers expansive views and fresh air, making it a pleasant place for the whole family to stroll and relax. It's truly a perfect leisure destination for a family trip! 👍✨

Visit Jiaoshan to see the "Epitaph for the Buried Crane," considered the ancestor of large-character calligraphy. The Jiaoshan Stele Forest (Baomoxuan) is located on Jiaoshan Mountain in the heart of the Yangtze River in Zhenjiang. It is the premier stele forest south of the Yangtze River, and is considered on par with the Xi'an Stele Forest. Western Slope Cliff Inscriptions: Stretching over 200 meters along the riverside cliff, there are more than 80 inscriptions from the Six Dynasties to the Song and Qing Dynasties, including Tang Dynasty verses from the Diamond Sutra, an inscription by Mi Fu, and Lu You's inscription on viewing the "Epitaph for the Buried Crane" in the snow. Courtyard and Corridor Display of Steles: Over 400 steles spanning the Six Dynasties, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing, and Republican periods, encompassing regular, cursive, clerical, and seal scripts. Treasure of the Museum: The "Epitaph for the Buried Crane" The "Epitaph for the Buried Crane" is a cliff inscription commemorating the burial of a crane, praised by Huang Tingjian as the ancestor of large-character calligraphy. Origin of the Original Stone: Originally carved on the cliff face of Leihongyan at the western foot of Jiaoshan Mountain, it is said to have been carved in the thirteenth year of the Tianjian era of the Southern Liang Dynasty (514 AD). At some unknown time, the cliff collapsed and fell into the Yangtze River, where it remained submerged for over seven hundred years. In the fifty-first year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1712 AD), Chen Pengnian raised funds to salvage the stone, retrieving five fragments containing 93 characters (11 of which are missing). These fragments were moved to Dinghui Temple and protected with a pavilion. Later, they were moved to a special room in the Stele Forest for preservation and exhibition, which is the original stone we see today. The original text contained approximately 178 characters, but only fragments remain today. Rubbings are divided into two categories: the precious Song Dynasty "pre-drowning rubbing" (rubbings before it fell into the water) and Qing Dynasty rubbings after it was recovered from the water. The mystery of the author (unresolved). The inscription uses only the pseudonym: "Written by Huayang Zhenyi, written by Shanghuangshan Qiao," without a real name. Several schools of thought have emerged regarding its authorship: Mainstream: Tao Hongjing of the Southern Dynasties (a recluse in Huayang, the most widely accepted). Others: Wang Xizhi, Gu Kuang of the Tang Dynasty, Wang Zan, etc., with ongoing academic debate. The calligraphic style is a landmark cliff inscription marking the transition from seal script and clerical script to regular script, blending the two styles with elements of running script: Brushwork: Primarily rounded strokes with concealed tips, occasionally using angular turns, with a strong seal script influence, seemingly soft yet powerful; Character structure: Broad and spacious, adapting to the shape of the stone, characters vary in size and posture, without deliberate uniformity; Composition: Rarely seen in ancient times, read vertically from left to right, elegant and unrestrained, with a lofty and ancient feel, reminiscent of a crane soaring into the distance; The "Shimen Ming" in the north and the "Yizhe Ming" in the south are considered twin peaks of cliff inscriptions, influencing countless calligraphers such as Huang Tingjian and Gong Zizhen. Huang Tingjian famously said: "No large characters surpass the 'Yizhe Ming.'"

Slender West Lake truly lives up to its reputation. Willows sway gently on both banks, and the Five Pavilion Bridge, White Pagoda, and Fishing Terrace unfold along the way, like stepping into a flowing ink painting of Jiangnan. The most delightful experience was riding in a hand-rowed boat within the scenic area—the wooden boat rocked gently, and the staff told stories of the surrounding scenery. The views from the riverbank were also quite different. Highly recommended.

A guided tour of the Grand Canal of China is a must, and you need to allow sufficient time for it. Taking your time to explore the exhibits and listening to the guided tour of Hall 1 requires at least an hour and a half, as the guided tours delve into the fundamental historical context, making it more time-consuming than a cursory glance. Thank you to Ms. Qiao Meihong for her meticulous and professional explanation; I immediately grasped the Chinese development philosophy—a mindset that connects everything. Moreover, she was very considerate of the elderly and children in our group, ensuring they could also enjoy the exhibits comfortably.

The Yangzhou Grand Canal Three Bends Scenic Area, situated on the banks of the ancient Grand Canal, is an extension of the Grand Canal near the Slender West Lake. Originally a series of sharp bends in the canal, it has been cleverly transformed, turning the engineering marvel of "three bends equaling one dam" into an ecological and cultural landscape. From its vantage point, one can view the iconic China Grand Canal Museum, with the Lingbo Bridge and Silhouette Bridge arching across the water like rainbows. Together with the wetland boardwalk and birdwatching huts, they form a beautiful picture of urban-canal coexistence, blending the ancient and modern, making it a model for showcasing the ecological civilization of the Grand Canal and the charm of Yangzhou's cultural tourism. Admission is free.