Qinhu National Wetland Park
Qinhu National Wetland Park is the first national wetland park in Jiangsu Province as well as the second one in China approved by the State Forestry Administration. It is located in the northeast part of Jiangyan District, Taizhou City, no more than two hours’ drive from nearby cities, including Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Yangzhou, Changzhou, and Nantong.
Qinhu is also called Magpie Lake. In the past, its ideal environment attracted many magpies to settle here. Magpies are regarded as a kind of auspicious bird by Chinese, hence the name. Lush aquatic plants and reeds grow on the criss-cross watercourses. Elk and water birds leisurely enjoy themselves in the park. Visitors can go for a walk on the plank road or take a boat to appreciate the beautiful scenery.
Qinhu National Wetland Park is naturally divided into western and eastern areas by the Qin Lake. Passing through the entrance, visitors will arrive at the western area. Because the major scenic spots are located in the eastern area, visitors need to take a boat from the Boat-Waiting Hall to reach the eastern area. The first boat departs at 08:30 while the last departs at 15:50 in summer and 15:30 in winter. It takes 15 minutes to arrive at the terminal East Wharf. The Boat-Waiting Hall has two floors. On the first floor are mainly shops selling local specialties, such as crabs, fish cakes, and shrimp balls. On the second floor are a book bar, a tea house, a video room and some other recreational facilities.
Getting off the boat, visitors can visit Qinhu National Wetland Science Museum. It is a three-floor museum that provides abundant information about Qin Lake National Wetland Park and shows some major events humans have witnessed when they made efforts to protect worlds’ wetlands. Then visitors can continue their visit in the eastern area by a sightseeing boat. Or they can travel on foot from the Wetland Experience Park to Waterfowl Park. The length is about 7.5 km (4.7 miles). In the eastern area, visitors can appreciate not only a variety of marsh plants but also some animals like elk and Yangtze alligators. Besides, they can ride a horse in the racecourse.
After visiting the eastern area, visitors can return to the Boat-Waiting Hall by boat. If not tired, they can walk on the boardwalk toward the west for 15 or 20 minutes to reach the Ancient Shengshou Temple.
Built in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), the Ancient Shengshou Temple already is more than 700 years old. Unfortunately, the temple was destroyed during the Culture Revolution Period (1966-1976). In 2003, it was rebuilt on the northwest bank of the Qin Lake. At that time, just Mountain Gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings and the Hall of the Great Buddha were constructed. In 2009, Shuiyun Pavilion, Bell and Drum Towers, a Medicine Buddha Pagoda and some other auxiliary buildings were added. With a height of 81 meters (270 feet), the pagoda is known as the highest pagoda of Medicine Buddha built in water throughout the world. A three-side statue of Medicine Buddha stands on a lotus seat in the middle of the pagoda. It is said that the three sides correspond to the past, present and future.
If visitors come during the period from Qingming Festival to May Day Holiday, they will have a chance to witness the grand Qintong Boat Festival. A variety of splendid decorated boats will gather on the Qin Lake. Meanwhile, dragon boat races will also be held. During that time, there are boat performances at weekends. The best place to enjoy the shows is at the square next to the Boat-Waiting Hall.
Besides, there are another two must-sees located not far from the wetland park. One is Qintong Ancient Town, and the other is Qinhu Wetland Agriculture Ecological Garden.
1. Take a regular bus from Taizhou South Bus Station (located at No. 2, South Qingnian Road) to Qinhu. It departs every 30 to 60 minutes from 07:00 to 17:50. Bus fare is around CNY 5.
2. Take Taizhou-Qintong Tourism bus from West Bus Station located at No. 180, Yangzhou Road. It operates from 06:30 to 17:50. Bus fare is around CNY 6. To visit Qinhu National Wetland Park, visitors need to get off at Shenma Road Station. If you want to visit Qintong Ancient Town, you can get off at the terminal station, Qintong Bus Station.
3. Take bus no. 816 outside of Jiangyan Bus Station (located at No. 1 Renmin South Road), and get off at Qin Lake Scenic Area Station. Bus fare is CNY 2.
Qinhu is also called Magpie Lake. In the past, its ideal environment attracted many magpies to settle here. Magpies are regarded as a kind of auspicious bird by Chinese, hence the name. Lush aquatic plants and reeds grow on the criss-cross watercourses. Elk and water birds leisurely enjoy themselves in the park. Visitors can go for a walk on the plank road or take a boat to appreciate the beautiful scenery.
Qinhu National Wetland Park is naturally divided into western and eastern areas by the Qin Lake. Passing through the entrance, visitors will arrive at the western area. Because the major scenic spots are located in the eastern area, visitors need to take a boat from the Boat-Waiting Hall to reach the eastern area. The first boat departs at 08:30 while the last departs at 15:50 in summer and 15:30 in winter. It takes 15 minutes to arrive at the terminal East Wharf. The Boat-Waiting Hall has two floors. On the first floor are mainly shops selling local specialties, such as crabs, fish cakes, and shrimp balls. On the second floor are a book bar, a tea house, a video room and some other recreational facilities.
Getting off the boat, visitors can visit Qinhu National Wetland Science Museum. It is a three-floor museum that provides abundant information about Qin Lake National Wetland Park and shows some major events humans have witnessed when they made efforts to protect worlds’ wetlands. Then visitors can continue their visit in the eastern area by a sightseeing boat. Or they can travel on foot from the Wetland Experience Park to Waterfowl Park. The length is about 7.5 km (4.7 miles). In the eastern area, visitors can appreciate not only a variety of marsh plants but also some animals like elk and Yangtze alligators. Besides, they can ride a horse in the racecourse.
After visiting the eastern area, visitors can return to the Boat-Waiting Hall by boat. If not tired, they can walk on the boardwalk toward the west for 15 or 20 minutes to reach the Ancient Shengshou Temple.
Built in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), the Ancient Shengshou Temple already is more than 700 years old. Unfortunately, the temple was destroyed during the Culture Revolution Period (1966-1976). In 2003, it was rebuilt on the northwest bank of the Qin Lake. At that time, just Mountain Gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings and the Hall of the Great Buddha were constructed. In 2009, Shuiyun Pavilion, Bell and Drum Towers, a Medicine Buddha Pagoda and some other auxiliary buildings were added. With a height of 81 meters (270 feet), the pagoda is known as the highest pagoda of Medicine Buddha built in water throughout the world. A three-side statue of Medicine Buddha stands on a lotus seat in the middle of the pagoda. It is said that the three sides correspond to the past, present and future.
If visitors come during the period from Qingming Festival to May Day Holiday, they will have a chance to witness the grand Qintong Boat Festival. A variety of splendid decorated boats will gather on the Qin Lake. Meanwhile, dragon boat races will also be held. During that time, there are boat performances at weekends. The best place to enjoy the shows is at the square next to the Boat-Waiting Hall.
Besides, there are another two must-sees located not far from the wetland park. One is Qintong Ancient Town, and the other is Qinhu Wetland Agriculture Ecological Garden.
How to get there
2. Take Taizhou-Qintong Tourism bus from West Bus Station located at No. 180, Yangzhou Road. It operates from 06:30 to 17:50. Bus fare is around CNY 6. To visit Qinhu National Wetland Park, visitors need to get off at Shenma Road Station. If you want to visit Qintong Ancient Town, you can get off at the terminal station, Qintong Bus Station.
3. Take bus no. 816 outside of Jiangyan Bus Station (located at No. 1 Renmin South Road), and get off at Qin Lake Scenic Area Station. Bus fare is CNY 2.
Admission Fees
| Scenic Spots/Facilities | March to November | December to next February |
|---|---|---|
| Wetland Park | CNY 80 | CNY 80 |
| Qintong Ancient Town | CNY 40 | CNY 40 |
| Agriculture Ecological Garden | CNY 30 | CNY 30 |
| Ancient Shengshou Temple | CNY 30 | CNY 30 |
| Wetland Park + Qintong Ancient Town | CNY 120 | CNY 100 |
| Wetland Park + Ancient Shengshou Temple | / | CNY 100 |
| Wetland Park + Agriculture Ecological Garden | CNY 110 | / |
| Qintong Ancient Town + Agriculture Ecological Garden | CNY 50 | / |
| Wetland Park + Qintong Ancient Town + Agriculture Ecological Garden | CNY 130 | CNY 110 |
| Battery-driven boat | CNY 25 per person, available from 09:45 to 16:15 | |
| Sculling boat | CNY 180 for a boat which can accommodate six persons | |
 Note:1. The above-mentioned admission ticket prices are for adults and children above 4.9 feet (1.5 meters); 2. Children between 3.9 and 4.9 feet (1.2 and 1.5 meters) enjoy half price; 3. Children below 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) enjoy free entry; 4. Qintong Ancient Town has a different ticket policy. The town is free to enter, but visitors need to buy a ticket if they want to visit the tourist attractions inside. Children below 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) enjoy free entry. | ||
Opening Hours
| Wetland Park | 08:30 – 17:30 |
| Qintong Ancient Town | All day. 8:10-17:20 for eight scenic spots in the town. |
| Agriculture Ecological Garden | 08:30 – 17:00 |
| Ancient Shengshou Temple | 08:30 – 17:30 |
- Last updated on Oct. 15, 2018 -