Tourists queuing outside the Presidential Palace line up from the intersection of Changjiang Road and Hongwu Road to Huaqiao Road. When you visit the Jiangsu Museum, not only is the admission free, but there are also very few people. Last year, when the Jiangsu Art Museum held a Van Gogh exhibition, it suddenly became very popular, with crowds surging outside the museum. However, most of the time, it is quite deserted. I recall visiting the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, where there was a very nice place with volunteer guides. If a culturally rich city like Nanjing had such an art training mechanism, perhaps the museum would not be so dull.
China Plum Blossom Art Center
Within the Ming Xiaoling Scenic Area, there is an art exhibition center themed around plum blossoms. In 1929, after the interment of Dr. Sun Yat-sen at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the management committee of the Father of the Nation's Mausoleum decided to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen by creating a memorial botanical garden at the Prime Minister's Mausoleum. They designated Sunling Hill as the rose area of the botanical garden and planted a large number of plum blossoms on the hill. By 1937, there were about sixty varieties of plum blossoms, forming a considerable scale. In 1944, it was renamed Plum Blossom Hill.
The Ming Xiaoling Museum is a specialized exhibition hall about Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, the World Cultural Heritage Ming Xiaoling, and Nanjing Ming culture. Its exterior mainly features the architectural style of Jiangnan during the Ming and Qing dynasties, utilizing typical elements such as white walls, gray tiles, carved wooden doors, sloped roofs, horse-head walls, and lattice windows. This design harmonizes the overall architecture with the surrounding cultural relics like the Great Golden Gate and the Four-Square City, as well as the natural landscapes. The museum consists of several sections, including the 'Ming Xiaoling' themed exhibition hall, the 'Simple Ming-style Furniture Art Gallery,' the '360-degree Panoramic Theater,' the 'Cultural Book Bar,' the 'Cultural Goods Supermarket,' and the 'Ming Life Pavilion.' Through various means, it tells the legendary life of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, showcases the unique cultural charm of Ming Xiaoling, and interprets the profound connotations of Ming culture.
Shangbiao Guesthouse
Built during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Southern Qi Dynasty, Shangshan Tower is located in Meihua Valley and is an 'imperial palace' style building. Its courtyard is spacious and bright, with pine and cypress branches and many paulownia trees, hence also known as 'Tongshan Tower'. It has now been converted into a teahouse. The owner of the teahouse is a photographer, and the entire design and layout of the teahouse are quite tasteful. The teahouse also displays the owner's collection of photographic equipment and works.
Weijianshan Zijinshan Cultural Journey
The most culturally rich homestay, adjacent to Meihua Valley where thousands of plum blossoms bloom in early spring. Next to Zhongshan Tea Garden, filled with fragrance. Friends visiting Nanjing can try the experience of staying on the mountain.
Yongfeng Poetry House
Pioneer Bookstore's another masterpiece hidden in the Zhongshan Scenic Area. Most of the visitors are local or out-of-town college students, and it has a very distinctive character.
