Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
The first mausoleum of modern Chinese architecture The first mausoleum of modern Chinese architecture an open-air museum of modern Chinese history the New York Times
Confucius Temple-Qinhuai River Scenic Area
- Cuisine, History, Photography, Trends
open-air history museum of the East
The “Water Poem Scroll” of China’s thousand-year-old cultural heritage
Ten-mile Qinhuai River
connecting the misty waters of the Six Dynasties, the imperial examinations of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the customs of the Republic of China,
Stereotypes Detonated
History and Culture
The Confucius Temple Qinhuai River Scenic Belt is one of the four famous historical and cultural rivers in China. Its core area began with the establishment of the Imperial College in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (337 AD), expanded into the Confucian Temple in the Northern Song Dynasty, and became a sacred place for scholars during the Ming and Qing Dynasties due to the Jiangnan Examination Hall (the largest imperial examination venue in ancient times).
The scenic area, centered on Confucian culture and the imperial examination system, combines the aesthetics of six Dynasties gardens with the hustle and bustle of the city.
It was selected as one of the first batch of “National Model Pedestrian Streets” in 2020 and upgraded to a national 5A-level scenic area in 2021.
Architecture and Landscape
A blend of Chinese and Western styles: A complex of Ming and Qing style buildings (Dacheng Hall, Lingxing Gate) coexists with the brick carving art of the Republic of China era. The reconstructed Jiangnan Examination Hall houses more than 3,000 imperial examination relics, including the examination papers of the Qing Dynasty’s top imperial examination candidates.
Intangible cultural heritage: The Qinhuai Lantern Festival (a national intangible cultural heritage) has been held for 34 consecutive years, and the Confucius Temple’s “Cultural Hub of the World” archway is the world’s highest stone cultural and educational landmark.
travel care
Tourist Information
| Projects | Details | Attention of Foreign Guests |
|---|---|---|
|
Reservation Ticket |
The main district is free |
The English official website supports international credit card payment. |
|
Opening Hours |
The main district is open all day. |
Zhan Garden closes at 17:00 |
|
Language Services |
Audio guides in Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean |
|
|
Preferential Policies |
Free admission for those aged 60 and above (ID card required) |
Some free experiences, such as calligraphy rubbing, need to be booked in advance by email at |
|
Contection |
+86-25-52209788 (for inquiries) |
English customer service hours |
Peak Avoidance
During the Chinese Spring Festival (January-February)/National Day (Oct. 1-7), the number of visitors surges threefold. It is recommended to visit before 9:00 or after 21:00 on weekdays
Beware of Scalpers
There may be people selling “express boat tickets” around the scenic area. Please look for the official ticket booth (with a clear LOGO).
The English version of the website provides a PDF guidebook and real-time crowd alert
cultural taboos
Dining etiquette
When dining at the Confucius Temple snack bar, do not stick your chopsticks straight into the bowl (similar to a ritual).
Etiquette
Be cautious about taking pictures of people
Get permission before taking pictures of visitors in Hanfu
(possibly paid performers).
Historical sensitivity
Respect sacrificial rituals
Avoid having your back to the statue of Confucius or pointing your finger at it. You can imitate the locals by bowing slightly.
fresh adventures
Niche play
Highly praised experience
Night mooring in the Qinhuai River and wearing Hanfu
Rent a set of Hanfu (recommended “Qinhuai Hanfu Experience Hall”) and take a night cruise on the Qinhuai River in a painted boat.
The ancient buildings along the way are glittering, boat workers use Chinese long poles to row boats, recreating the scene of “OARS and Lanterns”,
PS: Instagram posts are sure to go viral!
Three times of ancient ritual ringing bells, symbolizing “nation, Democracy, People’s livelihood”
Free participation
Counter-flow route
⊗Regular route: Main Street of Confucius Temple → Jiangnan Examination Hall → Cruise Ship Wharf
avoiding 90% of visitors
→ Enter from the east gate of Bailuzhou Park at 6:30 a.m.
→ Walk along the city wall to the east of the old gate
→ Arrive at Confucius Temple at 10:00 a.m.
Seasonal/weather play
On the third day of the third lunar month “Shangsi Festival”, a purification ceremony is held by the river 禊 ritual (to ward off disasters and pray for blessings).
A glimmer of light on the bluestone road, walking through Wuyi Lane with an oil-paper umbrella, feeling the mood of Dai Wangshu ‘Rain Lane’.
Spring Festival Qinhuai Lantern Festival (Top10 Lantern festivals in the world), giant dragon lanterns spanning the river surface.
best time to photograph: 18:30 The moment the lights are lit.
Localize the scene
imperial examination experience + intangible cultural heritage workshop
In the Jiangnan Examination Hall, transform into an “ancient examinee” and write the examination papers with a brush
Take part in the intangible cultural heritage Yun brocade embroidery experience class (the Confucius Temple Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum is available every Saturday at 14:00 by appointment).
Making rubbings of “All for the Public” steles in the Sutra Repository
50 yuan per session, including Chinese-English explanations
Free commemorative experience
Collect eight “top scholar stamps” from the Confucius Temple
Free stamps from each cultural and creative store, collect them and exchange them for postcards.
Listen to a white game
Nanjing dialect folk art, free performance at 16:00 every day under the east city wall of the old gate
hidden message/cultural knowledge
The origin of Wuyi Lane
During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the sons of the noble families of the Wang and Xie wore “wuyi” to show their status, and “the swallows in front of the halls of the old Wang and Xie” referred to this place.
“Longzangpu”
The Qinhuai River was once known as “Longzangpu”, and it got its current name because Emperor Qin Shi Huang cut off the dragon vein by diverting water from Fangshan Mountain.
superb camera position
Zhan Garden Rockery
瞻园假山
The corridor in the style of Suzhou gardens (30 yuan for admission), use the window frame composition to create a "wandering in a painting" effect.
Moon Night at Wende Bridge
文德桥月夜
Around the 15th day of the lunar month, stand on the west side of the bridge to capture the moon in the water and the reflection of Kuiguang Pavilion at the same time (long exposure required).
Mustard Seed Garden Rooftop Cafe
芥子园屋顶咖啡厅
Panoramic view of the Qinhuai River, best at sunset (minimum consumption 58 yuan).
Tourist rating
0
/ 5
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla gravida, orci at egestas consectetur, ipsum velit auctor nulla, ut vehicula lorem est ut dolor."
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla gravida, orci at egestas consectetur, ipsum velit auctor nulla, ut vehicula lorem est ut dolor."
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla gravida, orci at egestas consectetur, ipsum velit auctor nulla, ut vehicula lorem est ut dolor."
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla gravida, orci at egestas consectetur, ipsum velit auctor nulla, ut vehicula lorem est ut dolor."
“The Qinhuai River places emphasis on the integration of common people and scholars.”
share this recipe：
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Where to next? Here’s more
Liuhui Pavilion
An oriental garden aesthetic model from the ancient book“Garden Management” Where willow branches dip their ink brushes into an emerald lake, painting 1930s serenity. Song
Jinghai Temple
Historical echoes in bronze memory Where bronze bells still vibrate with the aftershocks of 1842’s quill pen explosions Colonial Scar Archaeology Maritime Silk Road abstract
