Xuanwu Lake (玄武湖) is the large urban lake that lies against the northern face of the Ming city wall. The park around it — now a popular place for morning exercise, afternoon walking, and evening strolls — covers about 10 square kilometres, with several small islands connected by causeways. The view from the far shore across the water to the city wall and the forested hills of Purple Mountain beyond is one of Nanjing's classic vistas.
The park was once an imperial garden used for reviewing naval forces and storing the imperial genealogy registers. Today it is relaxed public space: rowing boats for hire, willow-fringed paths, cheap snack vendors, and the easy sociability of a Chinese city park on a weekend afternoon. The northeast section near Xuanwu Gate is the most scenic, with unobstructed wall views.