Dongguan Ancient Ferry

Dongguan Ancient Ferry

Dongguan Ancient Ferry is a scenic spot along the ancient canal in Yangzhou. It is located at the intersection of Taizhou Road and Dongguan Street in Guangling District. During the Tang Dynasty, Yangzhou was known as the "Number One Commercial Port in the Southeast," and Dongguan Ancient Ferry was one of the busiest transportation hubs at the time. In the second year of the Tianxi era (1018) during the Northern Song Dynasty, Jia Zongli, the Jianghuai Transport Commissioner, undertook the renovation of the canal, diverting water from the Yangtze River at Yangzhen Town into the canal to create the new Yangzhou River; the new river route circled around the southeast of the ancient city, connecting to the ancient canal to the south and reaching the Golden Dam to the north, then turning eastward — this section is now part of the present-day ancient canal in Yangzhou. During the Ming Dynasty's Jiajing era, a new city wall was built east of the old Yangzhou city, featuring seven city gates, with the eastern gate called Lijin Gate, commonly known as Dongguan. Most waterway travelers from northern Jiangsu entered Yangzhou through Dongguan, making Dongguan Ancient Ferry a key witness to the prosperity of salt and grain transport. During the Republican era, people traveling from Xian’nv Temple, Wanfu Bridge, Shatou, and Wazi Street areas to Yangzhou would typically cross the river at Dongguan. After the city wall was demolished in 1951, the ferry crossing remained. In October 2000, Jiang Zemin accompanied French President Chirac to Dongguan Ancient Ferry to enjoy the scenery of the ancient canal. In December 2004, the "Dongguan Ancient Ferry Ancient Canal Scenic Belt" was named one of the New Ten Scenes of Yangzhou. Beneath the Dongguan Ancient Ferry archway is a bronze relief mural facing the canal titled "The Grand Canal Through the Ages." The mural is 28 meters long and 2.5 meters high, depicting the grand occasion of Emperor Yang of Sui’s visit to Yangzhou. Today, Dongguan Ancient Ferry has become a renowned attraction along the ancient canal in Yangzhou and a great place for leisure and sightseeing.

Address: Taizhou Road, Guangling District, Yangzhou City (near the East Gate Ruins)

Type: Historical Site

Recommended Visiting Time: About 1 hour

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Admission Fee:

Free

Suggested Visit Duration:

1 hour

Transportation:

Take bus routes 25, 44, 45, 61, or 210 and get off at Dongguan Ancient Ferry Station