Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

Why it's worth it

The tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang, the Ming founder — buried under a green mound since 1398, fronted by the Elephant Road: 600 metres of stone camels, elephants, lions and generals that have become Nanjing's signature photograph.

Don't miss

• Elephant Road at golden hour — six species of stone animals under 600-year-old trees
• The plum blossom hill beside the sacred way in late February, when the whole slope blooms
• The Square City pavilion's stele, carried by a stone tortoise the size of a car

Getting there

Inside the Zhongshan scenic area; from Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum follow signs west about 20 minutes on foot or take the shuttle.

Tips

• The combined scenic-area ticket covers both mausoleums; the shuttle between them saves 30 minutes
• Come for plum season (late Feb-mid Mar) if timing allows — it's the city's calendar event
• The tomb mound itself is unexcavated and unenterable — the approach is the monument