Zhongshan Botanical Garden (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat‑sen)

Founded in 1929 in memory of Sun Yat‑sen, it is China’s earliest national comprehensive botanical research garden, integrating plant science research, popular science education and landscape tourism. Covering 186 hectares, it faces Qianhu Lake and leans against Purple Mountain, adjacent to the ancient City Wall of Nanjing. The garden is split into North Garden (old zone) and South Garden (exposition zone), connected by a pedestrian overpass. North Garden features native subtropical plants and classic forest‑style landscapes, housing 27 specialized gardens. South Garden focuses on exotic species, seasonal flower displays and large‑scale constant‑temperature greenhouses. Core highlights include Red Maple Ridge, Cherry‑Blossom Avenue, Rose Garden, Medicinal Plant Garden in North Garden; Tropical Plant House, Succulent House, Monet‑style flower sea, Water‑lily & Victoria amazonica pond, Crescent Embankment and Fern Garden in South Garden. Boasting more than 12,000 plant species, it delivers shifting seasonal sceneries: tulips and cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas and giant water lilies in summer, fiery maples and golden ginkgoes in autumn, quiet pine‑cypress groves in winter.