Stay at Qixia Mountain Foot Resort Hotel, just 500 meters from De Yun Temple, offering direct access via a scenic footpath. The hotel blends traditional Jiangnan garden design with modern comfort, featuring rooms with private mountain-view terraces that provide panoramic views of the temple and surrounding forest. Guests can enjoy Buddhist cultural workshops, including meditation sessions, sutra copying, and morning bell ceremonies, creating an immersive spiritual experience.

The hotel offers free shuttle service to downtown Nanjing, and public transport options include Line 2 Metro to "Xianlin Station," followed by Bus 178, taking only 15 minutes. Nearby attractions like Qixia Mountain National Forest Park offer early-morning hikes and autumn foliage viewing—ideal for combining culture, nature, and tranquility.

Take Metro Line 2 to "Xianlin Station," then transfer to Bus 178 and get off at "Qixia Mountain Scenic Area" stop—just a 10-minute walk to De Yun Temple. The journey takes about 45 minutes and costs only 8 RMB, making it budget-friendly.

For convenience, book a private car transfer from central Nanjing—approximately 35 minutes and around 120 RMB. Some nearby hotels, such as "Qixia Mountain Stay," offer complimentary shuttles directly to the entrance. Inside the park, electric sightseeing buses run along major trails (15 RMB per ride), perfect for families or visitors with limited mobility, ensuring a comfortable and efficient visit.

Participate in the daily Morning Chanting & Meditation Ceremony at 6:30 AM in front of the Great Buddha Hall—guests can wear simple robes and join monks in reciting the Heart Sutra, experiencing profound serenity.

Join the Ancient Inscription Rubbing Workshop held at the temple’s study hall, where skilled artisans guide you through traditional ink-and-paper techniques to replicate Song Dynasty stone tablets and Buddhist carvings—take home your own authentic artwork. On Saturdays, attend the Mountain Tea Gathering in a bamboo pavilion, sipping Longjing and osmanthus tea with vegetarian snacks, blending Zen philosophy with natural beauty—truly a must-try cultural highlight.

Yes! Explore Qixia Mountain National Forest Park, which features a dedicated Nature Discovery Trail with interactive signage on local flora and fauna—including ginkgo trees, wisteria vines, and wild birds—perfect for children’s learning adventures.

Families can also enjoy the Children’s Bamboo Maze and a small wildlife sanctuary housing deer and squirrels. For hands-on fun, visit the Traditional Craft Village, where kids can craft paper umbrellas, make paper cuts, or weave straw hats under local artisans’ guidance. All attractions lie within a 30-minute walk from De Yun Temple, making them ideal for stress-free, enriching family outings.

The optimal season is autumn (late October to mid-November), when Qixia Mountain’s maple and ginkgo trees blaze in fiery red and gold, creating the famed "Ten Thousand Leaves Facing the Sun" spectacle. Early morning light filters through the canopy, casting shimmering patterns across temple rooftops and stone steps—ideal for photography and contemplation.

Temperatures hover between 15–22°C, perfect for walking. During this period, the temple hosts the Autumn Blessing Festival, featuring daily lantern-lighting rituals and wish-stick offerings at 9 AM. Avoid peak holidays like National Day to enjoy quieter, more peaceful visits with deeper spiritual connection.

De Yun Temple, nestled within Qixia Mountain’s historic Buddhist complex, is one of China’s oldest Chan Buddhist sites, dating back over 1,500 years. Its serene setting among ancient ginkgo trees and carved stone inscriptions offers a rare glimpse into Tang-Song dynasty monastic life.

Cultural travelers appreciate its role in preserving Chinese Buddhist calligraphy and sculpture art—notably the exquisite stone reliefs on the temple walls. Guided tours include behind-the-scenes access to the temple’s library and meditation hall, where guests may observe daily routines of resident monks. The temple’s emphasis on quiet reflection and natural harmony makes it a sanctuary for mindful travel and deep cultural immersion.