Best Hiking Routes on Zijin Mountain in Nanjing

Zijin Mountain in Nanjing has been famous since ancient times. It is one of the four famous mountains in the Jiangnan region. If you want to better explore the scenic spots in the mountain, hiking is the best way. The following article recommends six hiking routes on Zijin Mountain, so you can choose the best route according to your needs.

1. The Fastest Route

【Route】

Yingtuo Village (north side of the gas company wall) – Firefighting Post – Across the north fire road of Zijin Mountain – Along the mountain path to the top of the mountain;

【Comment】

This route can be considered a traditional route, with many people walking on it. However, this route is mainly mountain trails, and most of them are gravel roads, which are not easy to walk on, and the slope is relatively large, with the largest place exceeding 45 degrees, making it a bit tiring to climb. There are many people riding bicycles on this road, especially on weekends and holidays. You often see cycling teams riding their bikes up and down the hillside, which can be dangerous. Therefore, it is not recommended for the elderly to use this route for exercise. Walking this route, generally speaking, takes 40 minutes to reach the top if you are fast, and one hour if you are slow.

2. The Most Popular Route

【Route】

Taiping Gate (Long Neck) – Observatory Road – Observatory – West Horse Waist – Along the mountain path to the top of the mountain;

【Duration】

Taiping Gate (Long Neck) (along Observatory Road, 30 minutes) -> Observatory (15 minutes) -> West Horse Waist (along the mountain path, 15 minutes) -> to the top of the mountain

【Comment】

This route should be considered the least strenuous route. The road surface is relatively wide and all paved with cement. It is also flat, with no steep slopes, making it easier to walk. Therefore, this route should be considered the most popular route, with a lot of people. However, this route has a driving lane, especially on weekends, with traffic coming and going on Long Neck Road. Car exhaust can easily make people feel uncomfortable, and you need to watch out for cars, which can be a bit annoying. It takes about one hour to reach the top of the mountain along this route.

3. The Quietest Route

【Route】

Taiping Gate (Long Neck) – Zijin Mountain Cable Car Parking Lot East Staff Canteen – West Horse Waist – Along the mountain path to the top of the mountain;

【Comment】

This route is roughly the same as the second route. There are fewer people than the second route, but the road from the parking lot to the West Horse Waist is a mountain road with a slope of about 40 degrees, which is a bit tiring to climb. If you are tired of Observatory Road, you can occasionally change to this route to get a fresh perspective.

【Tips】

Bus route: Take bus 20 from Gulou or bus Tour 3 from Nanjing Railway Station to Zijin Mountain Cable Car Station and get off, then go up from Observatory Road;

Take bus 2, 11, 40, 44, 47, 48, 58, 59, 68, 70, 308 to Taiping Gate, and go up from Observatory Road along the road next to the city wall.

4. The Easiest Route

【Route】

No. 49 Bancang Street (east side of the Management Bureau dormitory wall) – Mountain path – Geomagnetic Observatory – Observatory Road – Observatory – West Horse Waist – Along the mountain path to the top of the mountain;

【Comment】

This route is similar to the second route, just with a different entrance. It is all paved with cement and has no major slopes, making it easier to walk.

【Tips】

Bus guide: 6, 11, 45, 68, 70, 79, 115, 118, 136

5. The Most Challenging Route

【Route】

Slide Park, Shuixie Road Intersection – Zhongshan Academy – Along the mountain path via Yongmu Residence to Zhongma Waist – Top of the mountain;

【Comment】

This route is from the Maqun entrance, which is relatively remote, with less traffic and people. Therefore, this route is safer and quieter compared to other routes. In addition, the mountain slope is gentle, making it suitable for the elderly to exercise. If you are hiking, you can start from Yingtuo Village, where most of the route requires some rock climbing experience. If you want to go for a mountain walk, you can start from Baima Park (Taiping Gate, take buses 2, 40, 24, Tour 2, 11, 70, 68 to get there), which is perfect for a leisurely stroll and you can visit attractions like Zhongshan Mausoleum.

6. The Best Route for Seniors

【Route】

East entrance of Inner Ring Road (north of Maqun) – Fan Hongxian Tomb – East Horse Waist – Zhongma Waist – Top of the mountain.

【Comment】

This route is from the Maqun entrance, which is relatively remote, with less traffic and people. Therefore, this route is safer and quieter compared to other routes. In addition, the mountain slope is gentle, making it suitable for the elderly to exercise.

7. Bus Routes to Yingtuo Village

6: Yingtuo Garden 5:00-23:00 – Qingliang Mountain 5:30-23:00

Yingtuo Garden – Yingtuo Road – Jiangwang Temple – Yingtuo Village – Provincial Economic and Trade Institute – Bancang Village – Gangzi Village – Fuguishan – Houzaimen – Mabiao – Xiaoying – Fuchiao – Lianhua Bridge – Zhujiang Road – Children’s Hospital – Suijia Cang – Guangzhou Road – Provincial People’s Hospital – Qingliang Mountain Park

11: Yingtuo Garden 5:00-23:00 – Longjiang Community 5:00-23:00

Yingtuo Garden – Yingtuo Road – Jiangwang Temple – Yingtuo Village – Provincial Economic and Trade Institute – Bancang Village – Gangzi Village – Taiping Gate – Beijing East Road – Jiming Temple – (North Pole Hall) – Baotai Street – Gulou – Yunnan Road – Ninghai Road – Beijing West Road – Jiangsu Provincial Committee – Caochangmen – Caochangmen Bridge – Longjiang Community

70: Yadong New Town 5:30-21:20 – Danfeng Street 6:10-22:00

Yadong New Town – Wenyuan Road – Yanmingshan Villa – Yadong Garden City – Da Gong Driving Training Base – Dongyangfang – Chalukou East – Chalukou – Yiliu Village – Yingtuo Garden – Jiangwang Temple – Yingtuo Village – Bancang Village – Gangzi Village – Taiping Village – Beijing East Road – Jiming Temple – Sipailou – Taoqiao – Zhujiang Road – Danfeng Street

68: Yingtuo Garden 5:30-22:00 – Huxi Street 5:00-22:00

Yingtuo Garden – Yinghua Road – Skin Research Institute – Yingtuo Village – Provincial Economic and Trade Institute – Bancang Village – Gangzi Village – Taiping Gate – Jiuhua Mountain – Xiaoying – Fuchiao – Daxinggong North Station – Changjiang Road – Xinjiekou – Huqiao Road – Yongqing Lane – Pailou Lane – Hanzhongmen – Jinling Grand Hotel – Mochou Road – Beiwu Road – Yutang Village – Huxi Street

69: Yingtuo Garden 5:30-21:00 – Nanbao Park 5:30-21:00

Yingtuo Garden – Yinghua Road – Skin Research Institute – Yingtuo Village – Provincial Economic and Trade Institute – Tianyi Center – Long-distance East Station – Xinzhuang – Miaopu – Nanjing Station – Central Gate – Heludao – Rest Home – Wutang Village – Weiyi Road – Damiao Village – Shuiguan Bridge – Jinling Village – Jinling Community – Yanjiang Road – Jinling Six Villages – Nanbao Park