Jinshan Park is built around a hill that appears to rise directly from a lake, its summit crowned by a pagoda and ringed by the walls and rooftops of Jinshan Temple — a composition that has been considered one of the great scenic views of the Yangtze since at least the Tang Dynasty. The hill is actually a remnant of a rocky promontory that was surrounded by water when the river ran through this area; the lake that remains is a preserved section of the original river course.
The temple complex, active and well-maintained, climbs the hill in a series of halls connected by covered corridors. The view from the pagoda at the top encompasses the Yangtze, the hills on the far bank, and the city spread below. The park also contains caves associated with legends of the White Snake and an underground temple carved into the hillside. Allow two hours.