1 Best Parks & Gardens in Nanjing

Xuanwu Lake Park is a large urban lake of causeways, islands, gardens and open views beside Nanjing’s Ming city wall. Different entrances support very different visits: a short lakeside walk, a longer island circuit or a connection between the railway-station area and historic wall gates. Seasonal blossom, lotus and evening light change the scenery, while local exercise and family recreation keep the park active throughout the day. Three hours covers only a chosen section, so travelers should select a route in advance and avoid assuming that every island and shoreline can be explored in one quick loop. The lake’s five islands, causeways and shoreline gardens occupy a historic water landscape beside the Ming wall and Purple Mountain. It served defensive, imperial and recreational roles before becoming a modern public park. Lotus, blossom and changing skyline views give each section a different identity, while the old wall remains a constant reminder that the lake once lay at the edge of the capital.