Xuanwu Lake lies outside the northeast city wall and is an enormous urban lake, dotted with causeways and islands. If you arrive in Nanjing at the railway station, the lake is directly in front of you. The lake was originally an imperial resort and then used to train naval soldiers during the Jin Dynasty.

Today, the Lake and the islands are a favorite weekend retreat for Chinese families. The island is accessible either by the causeways or by small boats. There are numerous tea houses and restaurants dotted about the lake. There is also a rather depressing zoo here which it is best to avoid.

How to get there: Take bus No.1 (RMB 1) from Gulou to the train station. The Lake is directly opposite. The main gateway to the Lake is on Zhongyang Lu. There is a small and quiet pedestrian path around most of Xuanwu Lake.