Qinhu Lake Scenic Area

Qinhu Scenic Area

Qinhu Scenic Area is a National AAAAA-level Tourist Attraction, National Water Conservancy Scenic Area, National Wetland Park, and Science Education Base.

Qinhu National Wetland Park, the first national-level wetland park in Jiangsu approved by the State Forestry Administration, was rated as a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction on March 31, 2012. Located in central Jiangsu between the Yangtze and Huaihe rivers, it is a key tourism development project of Taizhou City—the hometown of the renowned Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang—and has been included as a major tourism development project in Jiangsu Province under the “Jiangsu Tourism Development Plan for the Tenth Five-Year Plan Period and Vision 2020.”

Covering a total area of 26 square kilometers, lakes and rivers within the scenic area account for about 37% of the total area, earning it the reputation of the “Pearl of the Water Town.” Azure lakes, crisscrossing river networks, scattered islets, and its unique wetland ecological environment combined with the folk culture of the Lixia River water town constitute its distinctive landscape features. Through long-term development, the park now features a water-themed scenic area centered around Qinhu Lake, a wetland ecological area branded as the “Hometown of Milu Deer,” an eco-agricultural zone based on the “Global 500 Eco-Town” initiative, a hot spring leisure resort developed from the comprehensive utilization of Qinhu’s geothermal resources, as well as cultural attractions represented by the ancient town of Qinhuang and the China Qinhuang Boat Racing Festival.

The park is adjacent to the Ningjingyan Expressway to the east, which has an interchange within the scenic area; it borders the Nanjing-Qidong Railway Station to the south, with direct trains to six major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen; and it is surrounded by nationally renowned tourist cities such as Shanghai, Nanjing, and Suzhou-Wuxi-Yangzhou. Convenient highways make it possible to reach any destination within the province and return the same day.

Within Qinhu Lake, visitors can also rent a boat to explore while rowing.

With “water, wetlands, and ecology” at its core, Qinhu nurtures a natural landscape of serene waters, lush forests, rare wildlife, and rich folk traditions:

1. Qinhu Lake

Also known as Magpie Lake, Qinhu is the largest lake in the wetland park. It is named for the nine main rivers that flow into the lake from all directions, creating the unique spectacle of the “Nine Dragons Paying Homage to the Imperial Palace.” The name “Magpie Lake” also stems from a beautiful legend. It is said that during the Tang Dynasty, on a Mid-Autumn night, the Taoist immortal Zhang Guolao used magic to send Emperor Xuanzong to the Moon Palace. As the emperor, half-awake, toured the Guanghan Palace and prepared to return, his guardian dragon suddenly fell ill. The Magpie Fairy brought celestial herbs to heal the dragon. In gratitude, the dragon let out a mighty roar, soared into the sky, and with a flick of its tail, created a vast, shimmering lake—Qinhu. Indeed, magpies are abundant in the Qinhu area, and the lake’s pristine ecosystem is home to 97 species of waterfowl, including red-crowned cranes, egrets, and wild ducks.

Qinhu Lake remains mirror-flat year-round, with clear flowing waters, and is abundant in pollution-free green foods such as fish, shrimp, water chestnuts, and lotus roots. The lake is dotted with islands and lush reeds. By day, sails dot the water; by night, fishing lights twinkle—making it a delightful destination for visitors.

2. Wetland Park

Qinhu Wetland Park enjoys ample sunlight, a mild and moist climate, and fresh air. The park currently hosts 113 species of main ornamental plants and 73 types of wildlife, including three Class I nationally protected animals: milu deer, red-crowned cranes, and Chinese alligators. It features an Avian Pavilion and a Crocodile Pavilion. The annual China Jiangyan Qinhuang Boat Racing Festival, held here, is ranked among the top ten folk festivals in China. The thousand-year-old town of Qinhuang, an important highlight of the scenic area, is surrounded by water with a river running through it, earning it the elegant title “Zhouzhuang of Central Jiangsu.” Its temple is also famed for its myriad camellia trees.

3. Hometown of Milu Deer

According to the book “Investigation of Milu Habitat,” the Qinhu area is the native land of the milu deer. This is supported by the fact that the highest number of milu fossils, most typical in the country, have been unearthed here. The only intact milu fossil specimen in China, treasured in the Taizhou Museum, was excavated from this region. Due to various reasons, the wild milu population became extinct a thousand years ago. It wasn’t until the 1980s that these precious animals, once scattered overseas, returned from the UK after a long journey to their ancestral home by Qinhu Lake, where they began to thrive once again.

4. Sanyuan Hot Springs

Developed from geothermal resources, the “Sanyuan Hot Springs” have an outlet water temperature exceeding 42°C. The water is clear and transparent, rich in various beneficial elements—including 45.7 mg/L of metasilicic acid, 2.05 mg/L of strontium, 0.30 mg/L of lithium, and over 30 other beneficial elements. Tested to fully meet national mineral water standards, the springs are suitable for both drinking and bathing, offering multiple benefits such as heating, bathing, and healthcare.

5. Ecological Sightseeing Park

Located on the eastern side of Qinhu Wetland Park, this park has been recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme as one of the “Global 500 Eco-Towns.” It has introduced and planted 1.2 million trees, along with 800,000 aquatic plants of 26 species—including lotus, water chestnut, reeds, and artemisia—and 600,000 plants such as cattails, bulrushes, and irises. Here, visitors can experience the joy of farming, enjoy farm-style cuisine, stay in rustic cottages, and immerse themselves in the charm of the countryside.

6. Qinhu Waterfowl Garden

Covering an area of about 300 acres, the Qinhu Waterfowl Garden released over 300 rare water birds—including mandarin ducks, demoiselle cranes, and Muscovy ducks—on April 18, 2009, as part of its opening ceremony. Qinhu Wetland lies along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, a major migratory route for birds. With abundant sunlight, lush water plants, and rich aquatic resources, it serves as an ideal wintering ground for migratory waterfowl. Designed with inspiration from London Wetland Centre, the garden improves water systems and reshapes the terrain to create small water-centric spaces, forming a diverse wetland ecology that provides optimal habitats for various bird species. In addition to hundreds of thousands of native waterfowl, nearly 100,000 migratory birds of over 30 species inhabit the garden each year. As the ecological benefits of Qinhu Wetland become more evident, many migratory birds choose to stay due to the favorable environment, and this number continues to grow annually. From April to May, the sight of countless birds covering the water is a major attraction. Visitors can observe rare waterfowl up close from the boardwalks. To minimize disturbance to the birds, Qinhu is planning underground and forest bird-watching shelters, allowing visitors to observe the birds in their natural state.

7. “Qinhuang Boat Racing Festival”

Qinhu boasts a long history and rich folklore. During the Southern Song Dynasty, Yue Fei’s rebel army fought the Jin forces at Qinhu, and locals held memorial ceremonies here every Qingming Festival. Over time, this evolved into the annual Qinhuang Boat Racing Festival, a grand folk event on the water. In 2002, it was listed by the National Tourism Administration as one of China’s top ten folk cultural festivals. Every Qingming, hundreds of boats and tens of thousands of boatmen gather at Qinhu. The shores teem with crowds, voices rise like tides, and audiences exceed 100,000. On the water, flags wave like seas, oars stand like forests, and thousands of boats await departure amid the thunder of drums. There are tribute boats, flower boats, and “Guai Fu” boats, while performances like yangge dance, folk opera, and dragon lantern dances compete in splendor—a spectacular display of folk culture hailed by visitors worldwide as “The Greatest Boat Racing Under Heaven is at Qinhuang.”

National AAAAA-level Scenic Area

On the afternoon of April 27, 2012, the National Tourism Administration officially awarded Qinhu Scenic Area the title of National 5A-level Tourist Attraction in Beijing. This makes it the first 5A-level scenic spot in Taizhou and another national honor following its previous titles as a “National Water Conservancy Scenic Area, National Wetland Park, and National Pilot Unit for Forest Tourism Demonstration.”

Address: No. 1, Qinhu Avenue (County Road 203), Qinhuang Town, Jiangyan District, Taizhou City

Type: Lake & Wetland

Rating: AAAAA

Rating: AAAAA

Visiting time: Recommended 3 hours

Phone: 0523-88623022

Official website: http://www.qinlake.com

Social media accounts:

Opening hours:

8:00–17:30, battery-powered boats 9:00–17:00

Ticket information:

Adult ticket (includes round-trip boat transfer) 100 RMB; children 1.2–1.5 m tall, students within Jiangsu Province, seniors aged 60–70 from Jiangsu Province, and seniors over 70 from outside Jiangsu Province (with valid ID) pay half price (includes round-trip boat transfer); seniors over 70 from Jiangsu Province (with valid ID) are exempt from the entrance fee but must pay a 20 RMB boat fee; children under 1.2 m are exempt from both entrance and boat fees; students from outside Jiangsu Province receive no discounts. The Ancient Shousheng Temple scenic area ticket is 30 RMB.