Yangzhou Imperial Wharf

Yangzhou Imperial Wharf

In the 18th year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign, or 1753 AD, salt merchants in Yangzhou built an imperial palace in the West Garden of Tianning Temple, which took three years to complete. An imperial wharf was constructed in front of the palace, where the Qianlong Emperor boarded boats during his tours of Slender West Lake. The wharf, built from bluestone, has withstood over 200 years of wind and rain without damage, remaining as solid as ever. It now serves as the starting point of the famous “Qianlong Water Tour Route.”

Interestingly, the inscription on the imperial wharf’s stele reads “Imperial Horse Head” (御马头) instead of “Imperial Wharf” (御码头), because no obstacles were allowed beneath the emperor’s feet—thus the stone radical was removed from the character 码. The Qianlong Emperor even composed a poem for the site: “A light boat glides along the stream, oars stirring gently; the bell chimes from the deer park linger in the air. Before the gate flows the Hangou waterway, its gentle waves forever carrying ancient sentiments.”

Address: Fengle Upper Street, Guangling District, Yangzhou, near Tianning Temple

Type: Historic Wharf Site

Recommended Visit Duration: About 30 minutes

Opening Hours:

Open all day