Purple Mountain（紫金山）

Purple Mountain [File photo]

Purple Mountain, or Mount Zijin, is located in eastern Nanjing City, covering an area of more than 20 square kilometers (2,000 hectares). Its peaks, the tallest one standing at 448.2 meters high, are often found surrounded by mysterious purple and golden clouds during dawn and dusk, hence its name.

A well-known scenic spot in China, the mountain also features lakes, temples, caves, springs and forests. More than 200 heritage and scenic tourist sites are now located in or around the mountain. The Purple Mountain Observatory, China's first modern astronomy research institute, also sits on the mountain.

Admission:Free

Admission to the Purple Mountain Observatory:15 yuan (US$2.45)/ person