The Great Bao'en Temple Site Museum

The Great Bao'en Temple Relics Museum is a national first-class museum in Nanjing built upon the original relics. It is situated on the site of the largest and best-preserved Ming Dynasty royal temple in China, and is known as the only place in the world where the Buddha's skull relic was unearthed. The museum's most famous highlight is the Porcelain Tower, once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World and featured in a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Westerners call it the "Nanjing Porcelain Tower," and it's definitely worth a visit. A visit of 2-3 hours is recommended, with the best time to enter in the late afternoon – view the relics and ruins during the day, enjoy the illuminated scenery in the evening, take photos of the Porcelain Tower at night, and even participate in the "Heart Lamp Blessing" activity around 7:30 PM for a truly immersive experience.

The museum is located at No. 1 Yuhua Road, Qinhuai District, Nanjing (outside Zhonghua Gate). Taking the subway is the most convenient option: Take Line 1 to "Zhonghua Gate Station," exit from Exit 2, and walk for about 10-15 minutes. By bus, routes 2, 16, 202, 701, and D58 all go directly to "Dabaoen Temple Relics Park Station," and the stop is right at the main entrance. For those taking a taxi or driving, you can navigate to the "Dabaoen Temple Relics Museum Underground Parking Lot," which has an entrance at Saozhou Lane; parking is very convenient. Recommended itinerary: Enter from the main hall and visit the museum in the following order: "Nanjing Book Check-in Wall → Xiangshuihe Bridge Ruins → Millennium Gaze (the Buddha statue with light and shadow is a great spot for photos) → Underground Palace Relics (must-see Seven Treasures Ashoka Pagoda and Buddha's True Relic) → Lotus Pond Assembly → Four Hundred and Eighty Temples of the Southern Dynasties → Sutra Transformation Gallery → Millennium Underground Palace → Climb the Great Bao'en Pagoda → South Gallery → Nianzitang Cultural and Creative Store → Exit". Walk clockwise throughout to ensure you don't miss any of the ruins, artifacts, or check-in spots.

The museum features a circular, barrier-free walkway with a smooth and wide surface, making it very convenient for strollers and wheelchair users. A glass walkway above the ruins offers unobstructed views. Multiple elevators connect the various floors, eliminating the need to climb stairs. Restrooms are conveniently located in several places, including the visitor center, the north side of the main hall, next to the Hans Christian Andersen statue in the North Gallery, next to the Sutra Gallery, and the South Gallery, with clear signage. The museum also offers a mother-and-baby room, luggage storage, mobile phone charging stations, and free Wi-Fi. If you get tired, you can buy souvenirs at the "Nianzi Hall" in the South Gallery, or grab a bite to eat or a coffee at the "Unseen" vegetarian noodle shop or the "Enxiang" café.