Bailuzhou Park

Bailuzhou Park, literally Egret Island Park, is located in Qinhuai District, Nanjing, adjacent to Nanjing City Wall to the east and Xishiba Road to the west. Covering an area of around 15 hectares (37 acres), the park is the largest one in the southeast of Nanjing City. It has four gates respectively on Changle Road, Xiaoshiba Road, Pingjiangfu Road and Changbaijie Road.

Its name comes from the small isle on one of the park's lakes. Thriving reeds grow around it and in the autumn, flocks of egrets gather on the small island. In the backdrop of evening glow, snow-white egrets hover and dance merrily, adding charm to Bailuzhou Park, hence its name.

Visitors who come to Bailuzhou Park shouldn't miss the landscaped bridges, Jiufeng Temple and Egret Island.
 The water area accounts for 25 percent of the total area of Bailuzhou Park. Land areas are connected by winding bridges. The 13 bridges, built in different sizes and shapes, forming a spectacular landscape.
 Originally, Jiufeng Temple was built during the Tianshun Period (1457 – 1464) of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). It was named by Emperor Yingzong to commemorate Jiu Feng, an eminent monk of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). Unfortunately, more than half of the halls in the temple were burnt down during the period of the Republic of China (1912 - 1949). In the 1930s, a railroad was built on the site of Jiufeng Temple. Only the eastern part of the temple was partially preserved. In 1993, a new temple was built and still named 'Jiufeng Temple'.
 Lying on Egret Lake, Egret Island was created with earth and mud excavated when the railway was constructed. A pavilion was built on the island in 1982. Standing in the pavilion, visitors can have a panoramic view of the whole park. To the west of the island a group of egret sculptures stand in the lake.

Besides, visitors can also pay a visit to Flower House, Wulong Pool and East Scenic Area in Bailuzhou Park.
 Bailuzhou Park originally belonged to Xu Da, who had a villa in the park. One of the founding fathers of the Ming Dynasty, he occupied several very important positions such as Taifu, which refers to one of the three prime ministers directly below the emperor. Xu Da was conferred with the title of 'Zhongshan King' after his death. Therefore, the park was also named Xu Taifu or Xu Zhongshan's Garden.

In the Zhengde Period (1506 - 1521) of the Ming Dynasty, Xu Tianci, a descendent of Xu Da, expanded the garden to be the largest and most magnificent one in Nanjing. Then, he renamed it 'East Garden'.

Unfortunately, Xu's clan started to decline after Wanli Period. Thereafter, the garden changed hands several times and suffered from a catastrophic flood.

Later, Bailuzhou Park was renovated many times and became what we see today.
 By Metro:
Take metro line 3, and get off at Wudingmen Station.

By Bus:
1. Take bus 23, 26, 33, 43, 63, 81, 87, 88, 301, 317, 703, or 706 to Wudingmen.
2. Take bus 47, 58, 60, 98, 190, 304, 305, or 704 to Bailu Dongyuan.
Nanjing Bus / Metro Search
 

Entrance Fee	Free
Opening Hours	06:30 - 20:30

 Nanjing Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao)
Former Residence of the Wang and Xie Families
Imperial Examination Museum of China (Jiangnan Examination Hall)