Qinhuai River

» Nanjing, Jiang Su

Qinhuai River Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Qinhuai 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 Qin Shihuang, so it was named Qinhuai River from then on. Qinhuai River is the largest river in the Nanjing City area and is the "life blood" of the city. Qinhuai River is so fascinating that it captures the imaginations of people both at home and abroad. The Qinhuai River is divided into inner and outer rivers.

Scenery along the Qinhuai River

In ancient times, the river is lined with tea houses, restaurants, brothels and stores; crowded with boats, bright lanterns in the evenings, music and laughter. Now it has become the most unique cultural area with distinctive local characteristics combining commerce, tourism and folklore. With the Confucius Temple at its centre, this location offers a combination of historical sites, gardens, painted boats, streets and folk customs.

Attractions

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.

Floating lights

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. Floating lights are the most famous view on the Qinhuai River. On the river, any boat or ship, large or small, will hang color lamps. It is a very important activity for a visitor to ride such a boat, floating on the river to enjoy the scenes. The prestigious Chinese writer Zhu Ziqing wrote a verse on the floating lights, which gave a very good description of the wonderful view.

Confucius Temple

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. It 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.

Zhonghua Gate

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.

Zhanyuan Garden

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

Jiangnan Examination Office

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.

Enjoy a cruise on the Qinhuai River

Taking the painted boats to cruise on the Qinhuai River, you can not only admire the sights along the river but can also experience the traditional culture of Nanjing. You 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 you 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.

Qinhuai River Bazaar

A busy Qinhuai River Bazaar has gradually taken shape here. Now the flourishing riverside area can be compared to the Nanjing Road of Shanghai and some do call it the "Mini Nanjing Road." Small shops, stores, restaurants and bars cluster the area. You can find everything here ranging from colorful trinkets to local specialties. If you are good at bargaining you will be able to purchase some very cheap items here.

Qinhuai River Bazaar at night

At night the whole area is lit up with brilliant lights thus creating a very impressive scene. A lively street market is set up in the area and both locals and tourists take part in the bargain hunt. Taking a leisurely stroll along the riverside, seeing the Chinese vendors doing their business or boarding a colorfully decorated boats flowering through the aged river will be a memorial experience.

What can be found

This place is very popular with the locals and many see or buy their items here, or they just hang out around the area. Many foreigners find it a good place to taste the local cuisine. The many snack stalls dotted within the area offer a range of food: Seamed buns-stuffed with pork, and other delicate fillings, Bawei Dawei doufunao (eight-flavored jellied bean curd pastries) roasted beef, salty duck, animal stomach, chicken feet (phoenix feet) and much more. In addition it is a good place for photo opportunities.

Known about the bazaar

• Location
  

The area is at the south of Jiankang Road, along the Qinhuai River. How to get there
There are many public buses from the city centre to that area, including tourist bus 2, 4 and public bus No, 1,4, 7, 30, 47, 49, 301 and 304, among which the No 1. start from the Nanjing Railway Station. Lantern Festival
Annually a lantern show is presented here on 15 January in the Chinese lunar calendar - that's the day of the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival. It is an important occasion for the locals and a large number of them will chill out and enjoy that colorful gala.

Attractions around » Nanjing, Jiang Su

Natural Scene

• Lake Xuanwuhu
• Qinhuai River

Historical Site

• Ming Xiaoling Tomb
• Confucius Temple
• Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb
• Presidential Palace
• Yuhuatai Martyrs' Cemetery
• Linggu Temple
• Zhonghua Gate

Cultural Site

• Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre
• Nanjing Museum
• Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge

Qinhuai River Highlights

River & Waterfall in Great China

• Li River
• Qutang Gorge
• Wu Gorge
• Xiling Gorge
• Huangguoshu Waterfall
• Huangpu River
• Jiuquxi River
• Pearl River
• Shennong Stream
• Mengdonghe River
• Jinbian Stream
• The First Bend of the Yangtze
• Small Three Gorges
• Hukou Waterfall
• Qinhuai River
• Qiantang River
• Detian Waterfall
• Burqin River
• Yalu River Scenic Spot
• Grand Canal

Qinhuai River FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. When to go

  Shopping

1. Where to exchange money?

  Customs

1. What are some interesting festivals?

  Other Hints

1. Health and Security
2. Useful numbers

• When to go

  Known as one of the three hottest cities in China, Nanjing's scorching summer period is to be avoided.

  The short and comfortable autumn time from October to mid-November is the best travel period for the city.

  Unlike other southern cities in China, in December, it sometimes snows in the city. If fortunately, you will have an opportunity to appreciate the enthralling white snow world of Nanjing. In the coldest month - January, the temperature could be as low as -7C (19F).

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• What are some interesting festivals?

  Jinling Lanterns Fair
  It was said that the first lantern fair was held in this region in the reign of Hong Wu in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), when Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang ordered a spring lantern fair to be held to celebrate both the coming new year and prosperity of the country. This tradition was passed down from generation to generation and reached its height in the Ming and Qing periods. Each year from the first day of the lunar January the lantern fair celebration is held in the area surrounding Fuzimiao.
  Period: 1st, Jan - 15th, Jan depending on lunar calendar

  Nanjing Int'l Plum Festival (Plum Hill)
  In the early spring between February and March, Nanjing International Plum Festival opens as the first ceremonial tourist event of the year. The meeting place is chosen on Plum Hill. Reputed as the First Plum Hill under Heaven, it is one of the eight plum appreciation sights having the most variety, longest history and being the largest in the country. Because the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year always falls in this period, spectacular celebrations of blossom appreciation, show performances, cultural exhibitions and bazaar shopping are be held.
  Period: Feb. - Mar. (the one in 2005 began on Feb. 10th and ended on Mar. 15th)

  Cherry Blossom Festival
  In late March, Xuanwu Park becomes a sea of cherry blossom and photography lovers and tourists throng to see the charming scenery.

  Yuhuashi (Rain Flower Pebbles) Art Festival
  Yuhuashi, a kind of rain-flower pattern agate, is a very popular tourist souvenir. Each year in September, an art and cultural festival is held in Yuhuatai (Rain Flower Terrace) Scenic Area. Exhibition of precious agate stones and performances will be presented.
  Period: September

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• Where to exchange money?

  You can exchange money at Lu Kou International Airport, branch offices of the Bank of China at Zhongshan Donglu, just east of Xinjiekou traffic circle and most hotels in the city.

  Rates at hotels may be a little higher than those in the Bank of China. Some hotels only exchange currency for their own guests.

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• Health and Security

  The health and security of the guests coming to Nanjing is a prime concern among the authorities.

  There are adequate number of police stations where the guests report to in case they face any kind of a problem.

  There are also many hospitals in Nanjing where the tourists can go in case any emergency arises.

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• Useful numbers

  Tourist Hotline: 5261179
  Ambulance: 120, 7213460
  Emergencies: 110 (foreigner's section 552729)
  Fire: 119
  Tel No. Enquiry: 114
  Police: 110
  Foreign Affairs Office of Police: 7216795

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