Dragon Boat Festival Zen Retreat: A 3-Day Pilgrimage Guide from Hong Kong to Nanjing's Niushou Mountain and Foding Temple

Highlights of the Trip: Fly directly from Hong Kong to Nanjing during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday to explore the magnificent Foding Palace, built with a budget of 4 billion yuan. Witness the world's only relic of Buddha's skull bone and immerse yourself in the thousand-year-old Buddhist culture amidst serene landscapes. Day 1: Hong Kong → Nanjing: Discovering the Essence of Jinling • Transportation: Take an early morning flight directly to Nanjing Lukou Airport (approx. 2.5 hours), then transfer via Metro S1 and Line 1 to Xinjiekou. Check into a downtown hotel. • Afternoon: Stroll along the Qinhuai River scenic area near Confucius Temple, enjoy a boat ride with picturesque views, and savor local delicacies like "Nanjing Da Pai Dang" duck blood vermicelli soup and red bean glutinous rice balls. • Evening: Explore the historic Laomendong district, visit the De Yun Club branch, and experience traditional paper-cutting art. Day 2: Zen Meditation at Niushou Mountain: Pilgrimage to the Sacred Foding Temple • Transportation: Take Metro Line 1 to Tianlong Temple Station, then transfer to Bus 755 to reach the scenic area's east gate. • Core Itinerary: 1. Foding Temple (Tang-style architecture, participate in morning bell and evening drum ceremonies) 2. Foding Tower (Climb the tower for panoramic views of the Zen landscape) 3. Foding Palace (Must-see attractions include the Thousand Buddha Hall, Ten Thousand Buddha Corridor, and the underground palace with the awe-inspiring Buddha relic light) • Tips: Wear non-slip shoes; bring a light jacket for the cool underground palace. Vegetarian dining recommendation: "Xiangji Kitchen" for Luohan vegetarian dishes. Day 3: Zhongshan Scenic Area → Return Journey • Morning: Take a taxi to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, walk along the Wutong Avenue to the Music Stage to feed pigeons, and climb to the top for a view of Purple Mountain. • Lunch: Visit Ke Lane Food Street for "Tao Ji Authentic Texas Roast Chicken" lotus root balls and "Fuyin Chestnuts" salted duck. • Return: Take a high-speed train from Nanjing South Station to Shanghai Hongqiao for a connecting flight, or fly directly back to Hong Kong. Accommodation Recommendations: • Budget Option: Orange Crystal Hotel Xinjiekou (zero distance to the metro) • Zen Experience: "Hidden Retreat Hotel" within Niushou Mountain, with views of Foding Tower from the window. Budget Estimate: Airfare HK$1500-2500 + Accommodation HK$800 + Tickets HK$180 + Meals HK$600 = Approx. HK$4000/person