Tai Hu
Tai Hu, or Lake Tai, is a huge freshwater lake. it is the third largest lake in China with an area of 2250 square kilometres and average depth of 2 metres. It should come as little suprise that there are many great sights to see and experiences to enjoy at the lake.
...Tai Hu, or Lake Tai, is a huge freshwater lake. it is the third largest lake in China with an area of 2250 square kilometres and average depth of 2 metres. It should come as little suprise that there are many great sights to see and experiences to enjoy at the lake.
A good place to start is to catch a bus from the city to the park at Turtle Head Peninsula.
- Bus K1 takes you from the Train Station to the Chongshan (冲山) Gate of the park.
- Bus K87 takes you from the Train Station to the Dushan Gate of the park.
Entrance to the park is 70 yuan, but it’s only 35 yuan for children. The price of admission includes the cost of the bus trip to the main attractions and boat ride across to the three tiny "Fairy Islands". Of course there are plenty of other places to enjoy in the park, but when first visiting a lake, it’s logical to hop in a boat and get out there on the water.
The ferry takes tourists across to the three Fairy islands which are joined by bridges. Tourists enjoy a pleasant hour or two exploring the Memorial Gateway, Screen Wall of Heaven, Water Curtained Cave, Huixian Bridge, Heavenly Fragrance Mansion, Crying Buddha, Heaven Emperor’s Palace, Taoist Altar, Matchmaker God’s Temple, Goddess Palace … and much more. It’s a pleasant spot with something for everyone.
This is Laozi - the chap with the big ears.
There are also Speed Boat Rides from the dock on Fairy Island. For a mere 20 yuan each tourists go rocketing back to the main peninsula, cutting through the convoy line of barges crossing the lake.
Back at Turtle Head there is still much more to see. Take another boat ride on one of the elegant wooden sailboats. Then walk around and see the Sino-Japan friendship Cheery Woods (or maybe that was supposed to be "cherry"). From there cross the Second Spring Bridge to Misty Zhongdu Hill where the sites just keep unfolding.
Underwater World
Underwater World features an array of aquariums and live performances by dolphins and sea lions. The highlight is a pedestrian walkway that tunnels through a large aquarium that includes sharks, rays, fish and one very big turtle. For a 200 yuan fee, visitors ca...
Underwater World features an array of aquariums and live performances by dolphins and sea lions. The highlight is a pedestrian walkway that tunnels through a large aquarium that includes sharks, rays, fish and one very big turtle. For a 200 yuan fee, visitors can actually dive into the aquarium.
In 2007 they started a new exhibit called "Polar World". This includes a polar bear, arctic foxes, penguins and at least one sickly looking reindeer.
Some signs are only in Chinese but others include English or "Chinglish". Chinese cafeteria food is available for 15 yuan per person.
Take bus 9, Y1 (游1), 20 or Y3 (游3).
Underwater World is on the south side of Purple Mountain within walking distance of Ming Maosoleum (Ming Xiaoling).
Hongshan Forest Zoo
As expected, the Hongshan Forest Zoo’s are so poor that most Western visitors will likely choose to avoid this place. While every last cage isn’t inhumanely small, some cages are so small that animals frantically pace back and forth. The zoo is located on a large pl...
As expected, the Hongshan Forest Zoo’s are so poor that most Western visitors will likely choose to avoid this place. While every last cage isn’t inhumanely small, some cages are so small that animals frantically pace back and forth. The zoo is located on a large plot of land, so in theory it should be possible for the zoo administration to expand the living spaces of the animals.
Besides the subar animal living conditions, the signs are rarely in English. Strangely, the only signs that are written in fluent English are written only in English and say “Do not feed or tease animals”. Perhaps these signs are an attempt to make English-speaking visitors think the zoo actually puts effort into restricting uneducated patrons from throwing fruit and bottles at or to the animals. The signs are actually the 2nd most entertaining part of this zoo. “Please cherish life” next to the tiger cage takes the cake.
Hongshan Zoo Pagoda
The most entertaining and harmless part of the zoo is the pagoda (大状观阁) at the top of Hongshan Hill. None can deny that the pagoda provides one of the best views of Nanjing city, or at least the northern portion of the city. From the top of the pagoda, Purple Mountain and Xuanwu Lake to the northwest are easily within view. Entrance to the pagoda is 2 yuan.
Hongshan Zoo Pagoda
Views from Hongshan Pagoda
How to get there:
East Entrance – Located on Hongshan Road (红山路). Buses No. 22, 24, 40, 66 and 74.
North Entrance – Located on Heyan Road (和燕路). Subway or Buses No. 8, 30, 35, 54, 64, 72, 77 & 308. The most popular way to get to the zoo is to take the Subway to the Hongshan Zoo Station. After exiting the Subway station walk about one block southwest down Heyan Road.