Qinhu National Wetland Park
Qinhu is a shallow lake in the Lixiahe lowlands of Jiangyan District, northeast of central Taizhou, beside the old water town of Qintong. The lake and its marshes are protected as a national wetland park and run as a national 5A scenic area. Most of the year it is a place for boats, reeds and waterbirds. For one morning each spring it becomes the stage for the Qintong Boat Festival, when hundreds of boats crowd the water.
Where it is
This page covers Taizhou in Jiangsu, the inland canal city between Yangzhou and Nantong. Zhejiang has a separate coastal city also called Taizhou. Qinhu lies in the flat country north of the Taizhou urban area, where the Jiangxing and Taidong rivers meet, and the lake divides the park into two halves. The west side holds the main gate and the boat terminal. The east side holds the wetland itself.
How the park works
Every visit starts with a boat. Ctrip's visitor notes describe a shuttle that leaves the west terminal about every 30 minutes and takes around 15 minutes to cross to the Hudong pier on the east shore, and the standard ticket includes the return trip. The crossing is the best open view of the lake. Speedboats and painted pleasure boats cost extra.
From the Hudong pier there are two ways to go on. The Qinhu Wetland Science Museum stands near the landing and gives a quick grounding in the plants and animals of the Lixiahe marshes. Walkers can then follow a ring route of about 7.5 kilometres that starts in the wetland experience garden, passes stands of wetland plants and ends at the waterfowl garden. The easier choice is a rowed boat through the narrow channels of the experience garden, a very different view from the open lake. Ctrip lists boats running from 9:45 to 16:15 and a charter price per boat, which you should confirm on the day.
The animals are the surprise. A viewing platform on the loop looks over a herd of milu, the same deer protected on the coast at the Dafeng Milu reserve in Yancheng, and the waterfowl garden at the end keeps swans and other waterbirds. Children have a rope bridge adventure area called Lujiao Park. The full loop on foot takes several hours with stops.
The boat festival
The Qintong Boat Festival, held on Qinhu every Qingming season, is the lake's great event, and local sayings put it first among boat gatherings in China. Its story reaches back more than 800 years. In the Southern Song, according to local tradition, Yue Fei's army fought Jin troops on these waters, and villagers began poling out at Qingming to mourn the dead. Over the centuries the mourning turned into a festival of racing and display. Ctrip's notes say the gathering falls on the day after Qingming.
The 2026 festival took place on 6 April in the wetland park. The Taizhou city government's report counted more than 500 boats of many kinds and over ten thousand rowers and polers. Seven tribute boats opened the parade, each with its own theme, and races followed for 20 small paddle boats, 68 pole boats and 27 dragon boats. Bendibao listed a festival package at 180 yuan through Meituan. If you want to see it, book early and expect very large crowds. The rest of the year the lake is calm.
Qintong old town
The water town of Qintong sits next to the park. It was named a national historic and cultural town in 2005 and keeps much of its Ming and Qing street layout along the rivers. The town is known for its old camellia trees, which flower in early spring. The park sells a combined ticket that includes the old town, which suits a full day.
Eating
Restaurants at the park gate, in the eight delicacies garden on the east side and near the farming exhibits serve the Qinhu eight delicacies, a set of river fish, shrimp and other freshwater dishes. In autumn the local crabs are in season, and Ctrip's notes compare them to the better known Yangcheng Lake crabs.
Tickets, hours and getting there
The park's official site lists the standard ticket at 80 yuan, including a 20 yuan return boat fare, with combined tickets for the old town and an aquarium. A Taizhou Bendibao guide from April 2026 gives opening hours of 8:30 to 17:30 with ticket sales ending at 15:30, and reminds visitors that people who enter free still need a boat ticket. Half price applies to young people aged 6 to 18, full-time students and visitors aged 60 to 69. Children up to 6 or 1.4 metres and visitors over 70 enter free. Tickets are sold under the real-name system through the scenic area's WeChat account and at the visitor centre. Check the day's notice for hours and boat times.
The park is at No. 1 Qinhu Avenue in Qintong. From central Taizhou the practical options are a taxi, ride-hailing or a hired car, and Taizhou station links the city by rail with Nanjing and Nantong. Arrive in the morning, since the last entry is mid-afternoon and the east shore needs several hours.
Pairing it
Qinhu fills a day of its own. The second day in Taizhou belongs to the old city along the Fengcheng River and the Mei Lanfang Memorial Hall.
Frequently asked questions
Is the boat included?
Yes. The standard ticket includes the return shuttle to the east shore. Smaller boats inside the park cost extra.
When is the boat festival?
In the Qingming season each spring. In 2026 it was held on 6 April.
How long should I allow?
Three to five hours inside the park, longer with the old town.
Sources
Facts in this article were checked against the following sources, retrieved 21 October 2026.
- 溱湖, Chinese Wikipedia
- 溱潼会船节, Chinese Wikipedia
- 溱潼镇, Chinese Wikipedia
- Qinhu National Wetland Park, official site
- Taizhou Bendibao, Qinhu ticket guide, April 2026
- Taizhou government, 2026 Qintong Boat Festival held
- Ctrip listing for Qinhu National Wetland Park
- Taizhou travel guide on this site
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown in each caption.