Strolling through Zhongshan Scenic Area in Nanjing

This morning, we enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel. The dazzling array of breakfast options emitted an enticing aroma, but I must say our appetites seem to be shrinking; we felt full after trying only a few dishes. At 8:30 a.m., Mengmeng came to pick us up by car to visit Zhongshan Scenic Area. Yesterday, I bought a combo ticket online—Linggu Scenic Area, Music Stage, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, and Meiling Palace, four attractions for 98 yuan, which is indeed cheaper than buying individual tickets separately. Today's weather was gray and overcast. As soon as we stepped out of the hotel, a chill hit us, noticeably colder than yesterday. We arrived at Linggu Scenic Area right at 9 a.m. The sparse crowd meant the whole park was quiet. The trees in the park were colorful, even more vibrant and rich than those we saw yesterday at Xuanwu Lake. An ordinary red wall suddenly became unique because it stood beside a tree with golden ginkgo leaves. Climbing the stone steps up Linggu Tower to the fourth floor balcony, the view was completely different from that at the base. Distant mountains looked like dark ink, nearby forests resembled brocade, and the layers of autumn colors appeared deeper and more textured from this height, like a richly painted oil painting slowly unfolding before our eyes. Leaving Linggu, we headed to Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. The nearby plane tree avenue was already crowded with people taking photos and checking in. Young girls in short skirts shivered slightly in the cold wind but still wore bright smiles. The plane trees here seemed different from those we know; their trunks were especially thick and straight, neatly lined up on both sides of the avenue like loyal guards. When the breeze passed, the yellow leaves gently floated down from the tall branches, like slow-motion movie scenes, each frame breathtakingly beautiful. Our last stop was Meiling Palace. It was equally crowded, with almost every room packed to the brim. I especially admired those who skillfully navigated through the crowd without missing any photo angles; they always managed to find gaps and capture their own moments. We spent almost the entire day walking. Our steps passed through the vibrant colors of late autumn, and our eyes absorbed the ancient charm of Jinling. Though a bit tired, we were captivated by the colors of this land. This autumn, Zhongshan gave us more than just scenery; it offered an immersive time gently embracing history and nature. There is a tree-lined path here.