Plum Blossom Hill (梅花山) is a garden and hillside at the foot of Purple Mountain, planted with over 35,000 plum trees. In late February and early March, the hillside blooms in waves of white, pink, and red, attracting visitors from across Jiangsu and neighbouring provinces. Nanjing considers itself the plum blossom capital of China, and the annual blossom season is the city's most celebrated natural event.
Outside blossom season, the hill is a quiet park within the Ming Xiaoling Tomb complex, pleasant for walking but without the seasonal drama. An annual Nanjing International Plum Blossom Festival is held here each spring, with cultural performances, food stalls, and photography competitions. Arrive early on peak blossom weekends — the crowds later in the day are formidable.