Linggu Temple and Linggu Pagoda Woodland Trail

The Linggu Temple and Linggu Pagoda woodland trail winds through the eastern part of the Zhongshan Scenic Area in Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. Linggu Temple has Buddhist roots reaching back to the Liang dynasty, and the scenic area is known for its Beamless Hall, a brick vaulted structure of the Ming period, and for the Linggu Pagoda, a nine-storey tower completed in the 1930s as a memorial to soldiers of the Northern Expedition. The route covers about 5 kilometres round trip including the pagoda approach and takes two to three hours.

Getting to the trailhead takes some planning. Visitors take Metro Line 2 to Xiamafang, then a tourist bus or taxi of about 15 CNY toward Linggu Temple. Scenic-area admission is about 35 CNY, and visitors should confirm the current price locally. Parking exists at the scenic area for those arriving by car, though public transport is usually simpler at busy times.

The ascent is only about 100 metres and gentle. Surfaces are a mix of paved road, stone steps and forest path, with deep shade from tall trees along much of the route and little exposure. Technical difficulty is low, and the trail suits first-time hikers and families. Landmarks include the temple gate and the tree-lined approach, the Beamless Hall, the memorial corridor and the pagoda, which visitors can climb for views over the forest canopy. A natural turn-around point is the pagoda, and visitors can shorten the outing by visiting only the temple and Beamless Hall.

Water and snacks are available at kiosks near the temple entrance, but the woodland sections have no reliable sources, so carrying a bottle is sensible. Covered corridors and temple halls provide shelter from rain. Autumn is the signature season, when maples and ginkgo colour the approach, and weekends in late October and November can be very crowded. Spring is quieter and green, while summer is hot and humid, so morning starts are best.