The maple leaves on Qixia Mountain in Nanjing have turned red

🌟 Qixia Mountain: Nanjing's "Maple" Romance in Many Shades 📜 Impressions of Qixia Standing among the maple forests of Qixia Mountain, with the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot and a canopy of autumn colors overhead. This scenic spot, known as the "First Elegant Mountain of Jinling," has long been a source of inspiration for poets and scholars. The "480 temples of the Southern Dynasties, countless pavilions in mist and rain"—the imagery from Du Mu’s poetry—remains vivid in the autumn scenery of Qixia Mountain. 🖌️ A Thousand Years of Ancient Charm Qixia Mountain is named after Qixia Temple, founded in the 7th year of Yongming in the Southern Qi Dynasty (489 AD). During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was a favored place for Nanjing’s nobility to admire the maples. It is said that Emperor Kangxi, during his southern tours, inscribed the plaque "Qixia Scenic Spot" here. Among the ancient maple trees on the mountain, many are over 300 years old "living relics," witnessing the changing seasons of this mountain. 🍁 Maple Viewing Guide Best time to see the maples: Mid to late November through early December Three major maple viewing areas: 1️⃣ Qianfoyan Maple Forest: Red maples complement the stone carvings beautifully 2️⃣ Around Mingjing Lake: The lake reflects layers of red leaves 3️⃣ Pingshan Peak: Overlooking the entire mountain’s colorful autumn scenery 🌿 Travel Tips 1. Climb early in the morning to avoid crowds and capture the red leaves in the morning mist 2. Maple leaves appear deeper in color on cloudy or rainy days, offering a unique charm 3. The mountain paths are covered with fallen leaves; wear non-slip shoes for safety 4. Bring a thermos; there is a teahouse halfway up the mountain to rest 🍂 Qixia in the Writings of Literati Qing Dynasty poet Yuan Mei once wrote, "Qixia’s red leaves surpass the flowers of February," expressing the magnificence of the autumn colors here. Emperor Qianlong visited Jiangnan six times, always stopping at Qixia to admire the maples and left many poems inscribed here. Walking the mountain today, you can still read these timeless verses carved on cliff faces. When the setting sun gilds the red leaves on the mountain, it feels as if you have returned to the era of poetry and prose. This is the charm of Qixia Mountain—not only beautiful in the present but enriched by a cultural heritage spanning a thousand years.