A Complete Winter Guide to Nanjing Yuyuan! Hidden Gems + Photo Spots Revealed

📍Nanjing Yuyuan｜The Serene Aesthetics of a Jiangnan Garden in Winter❄️｜Includes a Comprehensive Guide✨ 🌤️Today's Temperature & Dressing Tips In December, Nanjing’s temperature ranges from 3-10°C. It’s recommended to wear a down jacket/thick coat plus a scarf🧣. The garden paths are mostly stone, so flat shoes or non-slip ankle boots are recommended👞. 🚇Travel Guide 📍Location: No. 1 Hu Family Garden, Mingyang Street, Qinhuai District 🚗By Car: Navigate to “Yuyuan Parking Lot” or park nearby at “Xinanli Parking Lot” (5-minute walk) 🚇Subway: Line 1 Sanshanjie Station Exit 4, then walk 1.2 km (the old city southern street scenery along the way is very atmospheric!) 🎫Tickets & Reservations ✅Full price ticket: 18 RMB; students and seniors aged 60-69 half price 9 RMB; free for children under 6 and seniors over 70🆓 ✅No need to book in advance, tickets can be purchased on site (but it’s recommended to arrive early on weekends to avoid crowds) ⏰Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM) 🚶♀️2-Hour Essential Route Enter from East Gate → Bushantang → Mingzetang → Chunhuitang → Wuyin Jingshe → Jinling Lion Forest → Qingyuantang → Yuhu → Kegeng Caotang → Qiushui Jianjia Pavilion → Exit East Gate ✨Must-Visit Spots: 1️⃣ Yuhu: Central lake view with stunning reflections📸, the withered lotus in winter has a unique charm 2️⃣ Mingzetang: Main hall building with exquisitely carved window lattices🏯 3️⃣ Kegeng Caotang: Wooden corridor to experience the ancient reading atmosphere📖 4️⃣ Yanqing Pavilion: Climb up for a panoramic view of the entire garden, the sight is amazing🌳 📸Photo Outfits & Spots 👗Clothing: Qipao/Hanfu/New Chinese style (perfectly matches the garden’s vibe!), recommended colors are Morandi tones💙💛 💇Hairstyle: Updo or low ponytail, paired with hairpins for better photos🎎 🕒Best Time: Soft light from 9-11 AM, backlit hair glow from 3-4 PM✨ 📍Photo Spots: • By Yuhu lake for architectural reflections • Second floor of Yanqing Pavilion for panoramic shots • Flower window frame (same glazed window style as Suzhou’s Humble Administrator’s Garden!) 🍜Nearby Food Recommendations 1️⃣ Shankea·Dining Shop (Xinanli Branch) 📍Address: No. 13-7 Xinanli Street 💰Average cost: 77 RMB 🕒Hours: 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00 🍲Recommended: Creative Jiangnan cuisine, artistic environment, great for photos📸 2️⃣ Nanjing Shichaohui (Taoyedu Plaza Branch) 📍Address: No. 27 Gongyuan Street 💰Average cost: 60 RMB 🕒Hours: 11:00-14:00, 16:30-21:30 🍲Recommended: Authentic Nanjing dishes, must-try salted duck and Meiling porridge🦆 3️⃣ New White Deer Restaurant (Central Mall Branch) 📍Address: 8th Floor, Central Mall, No. 79 Zhongshan South Road 💰Average cost: 70 RMB 🕒Hours: 10:30-14:00, 16:30-21:00 🍲Recommended: Zhejiang cuisine, soy-braised live bass and sweet and sour ribs are very appetizing🐟 🏨Accommodation Recommendation (Towards Liyang Tianmu Lake) For a deeper trip, it’s recommended to stay at Yuyuan 12 Beautiful Inns in Tianmu Lake Tourist Resort🏡 📍Address: Building 12, Jinqiao International Yuyuan, Liyang 💰Price: 400-600 RMB/night (villa-style homestay with excellent environment!) ✨Highlights: • Very private, surrounded by greenery🌳 • 5-minute walk to Tianmu Lake Landscape Park🚶♀️ • Thoughtful host providing mosquito repellent and travel guides💌 • Fully equipped: home theater, chess room, free parking🅿️ 💡Tips 1️⃣ Many stone paths in the garden, wear comfortable shoes👟 2️⃣ Fewer tourists in winter, more freedom for photos, but some plants are withered, so using filters is recommended🎨 3️⃣ Nearby attractions: Laomendong (15-minute walk), Confucius Temple (2 subway stops) 🌸Final Thoughts Nanjing Yuyuan is truly an underrated treasure garden! Few people, beautiful scenery, every corner holds a story📖. Winter sunlight shining on white walls and black tiles creates a timeless interplay of light and shadow～ Save this guide and find a sunny day to experience the winter romance of a Jiangnan garden!❄️