Niushou Mountain, located in Jiangning District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, is not only a sacred site of Buddhist culture but also a treasure trove of natural beauty. With its unique charm and rich connotations, it has become a tourist attraction that draws countless visitors. For devout Buddhist believers, Niushou Mountain is a destination for pilgrimage, where they can feel the purification of their souls and the sublimation of their spirits amidst its long Buddhist history and profound religious atmosphere. For nature-loving travelers, Niushou Mountain is also an ideal destination, offering stunning natural scenery that varies with the seasons, from blooming flowers in spring, lush trees in summer, golden leaves in autumn, to snowy landscapes in winter, all of which captivate visitors and make them reluctant to leave.
The Charm of Niushou Mountain
Niushou Mountain boasts abundant natural resources and profound humanistic heritage. As a low hill originating from the Ningzhen Mountains, it is characterized by beautiful mountains and lush vegetation, forming an important part of Jiangsu Provincial Forest Park. Meanwhile, Niushou Mountain is also a National AAAA-level tourist attraction, featuring numerous human landscapes such as Foding Temple, Foding Tower, Foding Palace, Yue Fei's Ancient Fortifications Against the Jin, cliff inscriptions, Hongjue Temple Tower, and Zheng He Cultural Park, each carrying deep historical and cultural connotations.
In particular, Foding Palace, which houses the Buddha Topknot Sutra Relics, attracts a large number of Buddhist believers and tourists every year. The unique architectural style and luxurious interior decoration of Foding Palace showcase the profoundness and breadth of Buddhist culture. Additionally, Niushou Mountain regularly hosts various Buddhist cultural activities, such as the performances of "Chanjing Daguan: The Buddha's Lotus Chant" and "Qianfo Hall: Lamp Passing and Blessing," allowing visitors to experience the unique charm of Buddhist culture while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Things to Do at Niushou Mountain
When visiting Niushou Mountain, you can engage in various activities to enrich your travel experience. Firstly, a visit to Foding Palace is essential, as it houses the precious Buddha Topknot Sutra Relics, making it a sacred place for Buddhist believers. Secondly, you can take a hike through the entire scenic area to appreciate the natural scenery and human landscapes along the way. Entering from the West Gate, you can follow the hiking route to the underground palace, where the scenery is picturesque and worth exploring.
Furthermore, Niushou Mountain also features art exhibition areas, such as the "Dunhuang is Not Far Away: Digital Art Exhibition from Mogao Caves to Niushou Mountain," allowing visitors to experience ancient art while feeling the charm of modern technology. If you are interested in history and culture, you can also visit historical relics such as Yue Fei's Ancient Fortifications Against the Jin and cliff inscriptions to learn about the long history of the Nanjing area.
Information
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket: Priced at 160 yuan per person.
Discounted Ticket: 80 yuan per person for children, students, and elderly individuals.
Location of the Scenic Area：Located at No. 18 Ningdan Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province.
Service Hotline：4001656363
Travel Tips
Here are some travel tips for visiting Niushou Mountain to help tourists better plan their itinerary and enjoy their travel experience:
Opening Hours: 08:30-17:30 (ticket sales stop at 16:30).
Transportation Guide：
Self-driving: Parking is available at Niushou Mountain with a fee of 6 yuan per hour. During weekends and holidays when the crowd is large, self-driving vehicles can park at the West Gate, where free parking spaces are available, and it only takes a 15-minute walk to reach Foding Palace.
Public Transportation: Take Metro Line 1 to Tianlong Temple Station and transfer to Bus 755 or 712 to Niushou Mountain Scenic Area Station. Alternatively, take a taxi directly to the destination. The tourist center provides luggage storage services.
Travel Itinerary
Recommended Travel Time: Approximately 3-5 hours.
Travel Routes:
Entering through the East Gate: Take a 10-yuan shuttle bus uphill and then take an elevator directly to Foding Palace. Foding Palace is a popular photo spot where tourists can take as many photos as they like. Afterward, walk downhill, passing by scenic spots such as Chaotianque, Yinlonghu Road, Youth Square, and Youqi Road.
Entering through the West Gate: Suitable for weekends and peak seasons, it is the closest to Foding Palace, with a walking distance of about 20 minutes.
Precautions:
Real-name registration and ID card scanning are required to enter the scenic area.
Purchase tickets in advance and carry your ID card to avoid queuing on-site.
Pick up a scenic area map to help plan your itinerary.
Dress in solid colors, avoiding too many or too mixed colors. Black and white are good choices.
Bring hats and sunscreen to protect against the sun.
Dining options at the top of the mountain are limited, so it is recommended to bring your own food and drinks.
Unique Experiences
Cultural and Creative Products: Tourists can purchase cultural and creative ice cream and other special products at the tourist service center as souvenirs.
Cultural Activities: Niushou Mountain often hosts various cultural activities such as lectures and exhibitions. Tourists can follow the scenic area announcements to participate.
In summary, before visiting Niushou Mountain, tourists should make sufficient plans and preparations, understand ticket information, transportation guides, and travel itineraries, in order to better enjoy their travel experience.
