Jiming Temple

A continuation of Tongtai Temple, founded in the Western Jin dynasty (where Emperor Wu of Liang "became a monk" four times); rebuilt as "Jiming Temple" in the Ming Hongwu era; the 44.8 m Medicine Buddha Pagoda and the nationally famous spring cherry blossom avenue (cherry trees for 1 km from Jiefang Gate to the temple gate). As the foremost of the "480 temples of the Southern Dynasties", its incense has burned uninterrupted to this day, and the tale of Emperor Wu of Liang "renouncing the throne as a monk" here four times gives the old temple a legendary tint; from the windows of Guanyin Lou and Huomeng Lou you can look down on Xuanwu Lake. Each March the cherry blossom avenue from Jiefang Gate to the temple is packed with visitors, pink blossoms setting off the yellow walls and ancient pagoda — it has been called "a calling card of Nanjing's spring"; folk rituals such as porridge-giving on Laba Festival and bell-ringing on New Year's Eve are also much loved.

Getting there: Next to Taicheng