The Zijin Mountain of Nanjing, the Jinshan Mountain of Zhenjiang and the Maoshan Mountain of Changzhou—all three are adorned in autumn's finest hues. Together, they hold the secret code to Jiangsu's most splendid autumn hikes. In just three days, you can capture the season's unique romance amid mountains and forests.
Nanjing: Embracing Autumn at the Foot of Zijin Mountain
Early morning at Zijin Mountain, a light mist still lingers, and the plane tree avenue at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is already blanketed in golden leaves. Following the mountain trail upward, the stone steps are warmed by autumn sunshine, while maples gradually turn red. Their leaves rustle in the breeze, and pinecones occasionally drop from branches, startling the birds hidden in the woods. Reaching the Music Stage halfway up, white pigeons circle under the autumn sun. Sitting on the lawn for a rest, the city skyline appears faintly through the haze. As dusk falls, visitors can stop by the vegetarian restaurant at Linggu Temple for a bowl of tofu stewed with ginkgo nuts—the mild sweetness of ginkgo and the tenderness of tofu, paired with an osmanthus cake, offer the gentle warmth of autumn.
Zhenjiang: Autumn Charm by Jinshan Lake
In the early morning, ripples shimmer across Jinshan Lake as the morning bell of Jinshan Temple echoes through the hills. Visitors can follow the winding path up the mountain, where the smoke trees have turned a vivid red, contrasting beautifully with the temple's yellow walls and dark tiles. Chrysanthemums bloom exuberantly beneath the red walls, their fragrance drifting up the stone steps. From the Cishou Pagoda atop the mountain, if you look far into the distance— you’ll see the Yangtze River winding eastward like a golden ribbon. After descending, you can stroll along Jinshan Lake, where the dawn redwoods have turned bright orange-red. Sunlight filters through the branches, dancing across the rippling water — every glint a whisper of autumn.
Changzhou: Discovering Autumn Delights in Maoshan Mountain
Morning mist still shrouds Maoshan Mountain, as incense smoke curls upward from Jiuxiao Wanfugong Temple. If you follow the mountain trail upward, you will see that the bamboo forests remain lush and green, forming a vivid contrast with the red maples and yellow Chinese tallow trees. Red, yellow and green leaves weave together like a spilled palette of colors.. Along the path, clusters of wild hawthorn gleam bright red; pluck one and taste the tangy sweetness spreading across your tongue. In the afternoon, you can stop at a farmhouse on Maoshan Mountain and order a bowl of Boiled fairy chicken , tender meat ，even the bones are stewed. paired with a plate of stir-fried wild mushrooms, rich in earthy fragrance. Also, a bite of Maoshan baked flatbread, crisp and sesame-scented, will bring much satisfaction.
From the city-meets-nature charm of Nanjing's Zijin Mountain to the rustic autumn pleasures of Maoshan Mountain in Changzhou, the autumn hikes of Nanjing, Zhenjiang and Changzhou are far more than simple hiking tours. Amid layered forests and local flavors, this journey preserves Jiangsu's most enchanting autumn memories.
