Qinhu Lake Scenic Area is located in Jiangyan District, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, as well as a national-level wetland park and national water conservancy scenic area. With Qinhu Lake as its core, the scenic area covers a total area of about 26 square kilometers, of which water accounts for 70%, encompassing lakes, rivers, marshes, and other wetland types. Its distinctive feature lies in the deep integration of "water, wetlands, ecology, and folk customs." It is rich in flora and fauna, with more than 150 species of birds, including red-crowned cranes, egrets, and other nationally protected animals. The scenic area includes facilities such as the Wetland Science Museum and the Boat Race Viewing Stand. The Wetland Science Museum has a floor area of about 3,000 square meters and is an important window for displaying wetland ecology and Qinhu culture. It is not only a destination for ecological sightseeing, but also famous nationwide for the annual "Qintong Boat Race Festival," combining natural scenery with cultural charm.
History and Culture
The history of the Qinhu area can be traced back to the Neolithic Age. Several ancient cultural sites have been discovered nearby, proving that humans lived and multiplied here thousands of years ago. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, this area was at the border of the states of Wu, Chu, and Yue. With convenient water transportation, it gradually formed a commercial market town and left behind rich historical relics.
The most representative cultural symbol of Qinhu is the "Qintong Boat Race Festival." Its origin can be traced back to the Southern Song Dynasty and is said to have been held to commemorate anti-Jin heroes. After hundreds of years of inheritance, it has now become a national-level intangible cultural heritage. Around Qingming Festival every year, local people spontaneously organize thousands of boats to compete on Qinhu Lake. The scene is grand and is known as "For boat races, Qintong is the best under heaven." In addition, Qintong Ancient Town within the scenic area has many Ming and Qing dynasty buildings. The ancient residences and old streets and alleys are well preserved, reflecting the unique architectural style and folk culture of the Jianghuai region.
Main Attractions
Qinhu Lake National Wetland Park
Qinhu Lake National Wetland Park is the core area of the scenic spot, with a total area of about 800 hectares and a wetland rate of over 90%. The park is equipped with wooden boardwalks, bird-watching platforms, wetland adventure areas, and other facilities. The main wooden boardwalk is about 2.1 kilometers long and winds through the reeds, allowing visitors to observe wetland vegetation and birds up close. The wetland park is also home to rare animals such as Père David's deer and Chinese alligators. It is an important wetland ecological protection and science education base in East China.
Qintong Ancient Town
Qintong Ancient Town is located on the west bank of Qinhu Lake, covering an area of about 0.54 square kilometers, with a history of more than 2,000 years. The town preserves a group of ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including the former residence of an academician, ancient residential complexes, and Lushu Zen Temple. One of the "Eight Scenes of Qintong," "Dongguan Guiyu," recreates the scene of fishermen working in the past, while the town's stone-paved roads and brick-carved gatehouses fully display the simple charm of the Jianghuai water town.
Boat Race Viewing Stand
The Boat Race Viewing Stand is located on the east bank of Qinhu Lake and is the best place to watch the "Qintong Boat Race Festival." It has a floor area of about 1,200 square meters and can accommodate 3,000 spectators. The design of the viewing stand combines traditional and modern styles, with the top adopting an antique boat-shaped structure, symbolizing Qinhu's boat race culture. Apart from the boat race festival, it is also a great place to overlook the panoramic view of Qinhu Lake, with distant views of boats on the lake and the surrounding wetland scenery.
Wetland Science Museum
The Wetland Science Museum is an important science education facility in the scenic area, with a floor area of about 3,000 square meters. It is divided into several exhibition halls, including wetland ecology, Qinhu biology, and folk culture. Through multimedia interaction, specimen displays, simulated scenes, and other methods, the museum systematically introduces the formation and functions of wetlands and the ecosystem of Qinhu Lake. Among them, a large ecological sand table restores the full view of the Qinhu wetland, allowing visitors to intuitively understand the close relationship between wetlands and human life.
Tour Routes：
One-Day Ecological and Cultural Tour Route
Enter the scenic area at 8:30 a.m. and first visit the Wetland Science Museum to learn about wetland ecology, which takes about 1 hour. Then follow the wooden boardwalk to tour Qinhu Lake National Wetland Park, observe wetland landscapes and birds, about 3 kilometers in total, taking 2 hours. At noon, taste a simple meal of the "Eight Fresh Delicacies of Qinhu" at the Qinhu Renjia Restaurant in the scenic area. At 1:30 p.m., go to the Boat Race Viewing Stand to overlook the panoramic view of Qinhu Lake, taking about 1 hour. After that, go to Qintong Ancient Town to visit ancient residences and historical sites, taking 1.5 hours. Return to the scenic area exit at 4:30 p.m. The whole trip takes about 8 hours.
Half-Day Leisure Experience Route
Enter the scenic area at 9:00 a.m. and directly take a boat tour (one-way 30 yuan/person) on Qinhu Lake to enjoy the scenery on both banks, taking 1 hour. After disembarking, visit the Wetland Science Museum, taking 40 minutes. Then stop at the bird-watching platform in the wetland park to observe birds, taking 1 hour. At noon, taste specialty snacks such as Qintong fish balls. At 1:00 p.m., go to the Boat Race Viewing Stand to take photos and end the trip. The whole journey takes about 4.5 hours and is suitable for tourists with limited time.
Travel Suggestions：
The best season to visit is spring (April-May). At this time, the Qintong Boat Race Festival is held, allowing visitors to see the unique boat race folk custom, and the wetland vegetation revives with frequent bird activity.
The wooden boardwalk in the wetland park is relatively long. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes. In summer, take mosquito prevention measures and carry mosquito repellent.
To taste the Eight Fresh Delicacies of Qinhu, it is recommended to choose time-honored restaurants around the scenic area, such as "Qinhu Renjia" and "Guzhen Jiujia," to ensure the ingredients are fresh and authentic.
It is recommended to spend 1-2 days visiting. If time permits, you can stay at the wetland-themed hotel in the scenic area and experience the wetland scenery in the early morning and evening.
During the Boat Race Festival, there are many tourists. It is recommended to book tickets and accommodation 1-2 days in advance and avoid the peak period from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Precautions：
In the wetland park, it is prohibited to enter undeveloped areas without authorization, and visitors must not disturb or feed wild animals. Follow the environmental protection principle of "take only photographs, leave only footprints."
When taking a boat, wear a life jacket properly, follow staff instructions, do not chase or play on the boat, and keep personal belongings safe.
The ancient buildings in Qintong Ancient Town are relatively fragile. Do not touch or carve on cultural relics, and respect the living habits of local residents.
Some areas in the scenic spot have weak signal. It is recommended to download offline maps in advance and keep in contact with companions.
In summer, thunderstorms may occur in the Qinhu area. It is recommended to carry rain gear. In severe weather, follow the evacuation instructions of scenic area staff.
When purchasing specialties such as Qinhu pickled crabs, choose regular shops and ask for invoices to avoid buying counterfeit products or short-weighted goods.
Transportation：
Bus: Take Bus No. 810 from Taizhou city center directly to Qinhu Lake Scenic Area. The whole journey takes about 1 hour, and the fare is 5 yuan/person. In Jiangyan District, take Tour Bus No. 2, about 30 minutes, and the fare is 2 yuan/person.
Self-driving: From Nanjing, drive east along the Ningjingyan Expressway (S29), get off at the Qinhu exit, and follow the signs for about 3 kilometers to reach the scenic area. The total distance is about 180 kilometers, taking 2.5 hours. From Shanghai, drive north along the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway (G2), turn onto the Ningjingyan Expressway (S29), and get off at the Qinhu exit. The total distance is about 280 kilometers, taking 3.5 hours. The scenic area parking lot charges 10 yuan/day for small vehicles and 20 yuan/day for large vehicles.
High-speed rail: Take the high-speed rail to Taizhou Station or Jiangyan Station. From Taizhou Station, transfer to Bus No. 810 to the scenic area. From Jiangyan Station, take a taxi, about 15 minutes, costing about 20 yuan.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open daily from 8:30 to 17:30 (last entry at 17:00). During the Boat Race Festival (around Qingming Festival in April each year), opening hours are extended to 18:00. In winter (December-February of the following year), opening hours may be appropriately shortened to 9:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30). In case of special weather or large events, opening hours may be temporarily adjusted. It is recommended to check the official notice of the scenic area before traveling.
Tickets：
The ticket is 80 yuan/person. Qintong Ancient Town is charged separately, with a ticket of 40 yuan/person. A combo ticket can also be purchased at 100 yuan/person (including Qintong Ancient Town).