Located in the city of Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, Jinshan Hill is a popular destination for travelers because of its various must-see historical attractions, a mass of ancient architecture and legacies, and the romance in the story of the Legend of the White Snake. But for the locals, the most authentic charm of Jinshan’s summer lies in the peace of mind it offers, the blooming lotuses in the lake, and the leisure of walking along the lake after sunset.
Morning: Finding Peace in Mountains
Situated in the northwest of Zhenjiang, Jinshan was originally an island in the river with a beautiful title as “a lotus at the heart of water”. Though Jinshan is packed with historical sites, the famous attraction among them is the Jinshan Temple. With a history of more than 1,600 years, the renowned ancient temple was built on a hill in a unique architectural style, with the Cishou Pagoda standing on the peak. It creates a visual effect that the hill and the temple are integrated with each other, making the entire Jinshan Hill looking like a colossal shrine from afar.
The Jinshan Temple has been a vibrant place of worship since it was built. At its peak, it held tens of thousands of monks and even had a plaque engraved with an epithet written by the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty. Today, many locals in Zhenjiang still visit the temple during the Chinese New Year to pray for peace and success in the coming year.
Afternoon: Appreciating Summer Lotuses
Since the Tang dynasty, Jinshan has been admired for its lotuses and the appreciation of the flower has thus become the most delightful summer activity for the people in Zhenjiang. The most famous place to enjoy lotuses here is Jinshan Lake at the foot of Jinshan Hill. Every summer, the overlapping, lush green lotus leaves in the lake set off the pink of the blossoms while the scent of flowers is wafted along by the breeze, enchanting every visitor before they even know it.
For the lotus lovers here in Zhenjiang, the flower is not simply a feast for the eyes, but also a traditional ingredient in local delicacies. Every year when the lotuses bloom, several fine restaurants along the bank of Jinshan Lake become nice spots to enjoy all aspects of the flowers. Gourmet chefs use the petals, leaves, seeds, and roots in their dishes to create a refreshing taste with a pleasant floral fragrance. It is a great choice to beat summer heat and refresh yourself by having a lotus luncheon and sip a cup of lotus leaf tea.
Twilight: Wandering around the Lake
In summer, it is always much cooler when the sun sets, and the banks of Jinshan Lake is filled with more people at dusk than in the daytime. The sky turns orange, and the lake begins to take on an unreal, peaceful quality. It is now best to take a boat trip along the bank. Slowly and leisurely, the scenery is unveiled and the Cishou Pagoda on Jinshan and the majestic Beigushan Hill become clear before the eyes. For busy office workers and travelers to Zhenjiang, Jinshan Lake at twilight is a haven of peace and tranquility that contrasts sharply with the hustle and bustle of the city.
Though it is often preferred to stay cool indoors on hot summer days, the unique outdoor fun of Jinshan should not be missed for a great leisure time.
