Southern star

Travelers enjoy boating on the Xuanwu Lake with blooming lotus.

This mountain offers a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of Nanjing. It is known as the "lung of Nanjing" because of its massive forest generating fresh and cool air.

It is nearly an hour's ascent to Purple Mountain Observatory at the peak.

More than 200 heritage and scenic spots have been marked out in or around the mountain.

Eating and drinking

Duck-blood soup is a must-try for first-time visitors. The soup's challenging name belies its popularity and taste. It can be found in stalls lining the food street at the Confucius Temple.

The Nanjing 1912 restaurant and bar area is another entertainment hub worth checking out. It is probably the city's most vibrant spot after 10 pm. Located near the Presidential Palace, the bars and eateries are housed in buildings designed in the same style as the government offices used by Sun Yat-sen.

China Daily