Qinhuai  River

Qin Huai River, a branch of the great Yangtze River, is 110 kilometers (about 68 miles) in length and covers a drainage area of 2,631 square kilometers (about 1,016 square miles). The river was originally called Huai River, and it is said that the river was channeled to the city of Nanjing during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, so it was named Qin Huai River from then on.

Qin Huai River is the largest river in the Nanjing City area and is the 'life blood' of the city. Qin Huai River is so fascinating that it captures the imaginations of people both at home and abroad.

There are many famous sites of interest along the banks of the Qin Huai River , including Confucius Temple, Zhanyuan Garden, Zhonghua Gate, and the sights along the Taoye Ferry ride to Zhenhuai Bridge.

The Qin Huai is divided into inner and outer rivers. The inner river of the river used to be the most flourishing place of Nanjing since it was the red-light district famous throughout the nation. Painted boats shuttled to and fro and music sounded all night. Many love affairs and romances spread from here. Almes earned their fame and left their sorrow on the river  The most frequented place along the inner river is the Confucius Temple. It is a grand temple with an unassuming style, which was built to commemorate the famous Chinese sage, Confucius.

Zhonghua Gate, also found along the inner river, is the largest city door in China as well as the best-preserved and most intricate city door in the world.

Finally, there is the Zhanyuan Garden, which was constructed in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and is the oldest existing garden in Nanjing City.

The outer river resides between Yangjiawan lock and Qin Huai lock. In June 2005, the area was designated by the government as a new tourist route, because it encompasses views of Nanjing City, a city wall from the Ming Dynasty, and the Jiangsu Nanjing TV Tower, etc. While floating on one of the traditional, recently modernized, painted boats of the region, visitors will have the opportunity to fully appreciate the beautiful sights of the Qin Huai River.

As one of the branch of Yangtze River, Qinhuai River is the biggest river in Nanjing. With a length of 110 kilometers (about 68 miles), the river is divided into two from the Tongji Gate. One that flows into the Nanjing City is called the inner river. The other that flows along the east, south and west side of the City Wall of Ming Dynasty is called the outer river and is regarded as the moat of Nanjing City. For thousands of years, Qinhuai River has nurtured the ancient city of Nanjing and honored by many poets. A lot of stories, romantic affairs and historic sites are related to the Qinhuai River, which adds to its charm greatly.

Scenery along the Qinhuai River

Since the Stone Age, people have always lived on the banks of the Qinhuai River. 50 to 60 original village sites have been found along the river. Among them are Hushu Cultural Site and Xunzishan Site as well as many others. However, due to various wars and battles fought within the area, ancient buildings along the river were destroyed. The River's time of prosperity ceased for a time. However, after a period of restoration in 1985, Qinhuai River became a famous scenic location in Nanjing again.

Nowadays Qinhuai River and its beautiful scenery form a widely recognized tourist destination. With the Confucian Temple at its centre, this location offers a combination of historical sites, gardens, painted boats, streets and folk customs.

Scenery along the river includes the Bailu Zhou Garden, Confucius Temple, Zhanyuan Garden, Zhonghua Gate and characteristic boats on the Qinhuai River from the section of Taoyedu to Zhenhuai Bridge. Among them, the painted boat from which lanterns hang is the most charming and attractive that adds a festive feeling to the Qinhuai River in the evening. The Confucius Temple, which has become the representative of culture of South of the Yangtze River, is usually crowded with people in the evening. Wine shops, tea houses, snack stalls and handicraft works hawked along the street form the unique scenery of the Temple. Jiangnan Examination Office, which is not far from the Temple, offers visitors the chance to see the place where scholars took their examinations back in the days of feudal Chinese society.

Cruise Info

In June 2005, the area was designated by the government as a new tourist route, because it encompasses views of Nanjing City, a city wall from the Ming Dynasty, and the Jiangsu Nanjing TV Tower, etc. While floating on one of the traditional, recently modernized, painted boats of the region, visitors will have the opportunity to fully appreciate the beautiful sights of the Qin Huai River.

Taking the painted boats to cruise on the Qinhuai River, visitors can not only admire the sights along the river but can also experience the traditional culture of Nanjing. Visitors can take boats at different wharfs to admire the scenery along the river. There is Panchi Wharf, located in front of Dacheng Hall of Confucius Temple, Wuding Gate Wharf, Wharf of Kuixing Ge, and Stone City Wharf .Painted boats are always waiting at any of the given wharfs.

The services on the boat are always impeccable. Tea and local snacks are prepared and visitors can enjoy Chinese traditional music performed by boat girls and boys with Gu Qin - Chinese seven-stringed zither - and Lu Sheng (a reed-pipe wind instrument) during their trip.

Painted boats on the river were extraordinarily famous. Large or small, all were decorated with colorful lanterns. Sitting on a stool in a boat, flowing with water and recollecting history is a fascinating experience.Nowadays, Qin Huai River has been archaized and revived. With lanterns hung high all around and music played, streets along the river restored its flourish.

                                                                                                      Back