Qin Huai River, Mochou Lake & Xuanwu Lake

 Qin Huai River

Qinhuai River is a big tributary of the Yangtze River. Flowing through Nanjing, it nurtures the ancient but glorious Nanjing city for thousands of years. People here call it Mother River. Qinhuai River area, from ancient times, has been the most prosperous part of Nanjing. Many rich and powerful families and dignitaries lived here enjoying a life style differing from the other parts. The area was full of stores and entertainment centers and has been praised in literature for being the font of many historical anecdotes and romances. After the Sui (581 - 618) and Tang (618 - 907) dynasties the Qinhuai River area was at a low ebb, but still attracted groups of scholars coming to visit. In the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) Qinhuai River regained her former prosperity again.

Qinhuai River Cruise
The river is the largest branch of the Yangtze River in Nanjing. Now many cruises are accessible at Panchi Wharf near the Confucius Temple. It costs CNY55-80 per person and takes about 50 minutes.

How to Get to the Confucius Temple
Bus nos. 4, 7, 15, 31, 40, 44, 62, 304 to Fu Zi Miao

 Mochou Lake

Mochou Lake is located in Hanzhong Men street in Nanjing. Its total area is more than 900 mu (about 148 acres). It is generally acknowleged that Mochou Lake is a jewel of Nanjing. According to legend the lake was named after a woman called Mochou. She died of loyal love to her husband. In admiration of this brave woman, millions of people from both home and abroad have come to visit this place.

Mochou Lake is a classical garden built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Booths, pavilions and temples are dotted around the garden. Weeping willows, Chinese flowering crabapples stand shoulder by shoulder on the bank of the lake. Lotuses in the lake give off a restful fragrance, while visitors enjoy themselves on rafts.

Admission Fee : CNY 10
Bus Route: 5, 18, 29, 68, 82, 7, 13, 19, 37, 41, 48, 83, Tourism Bus No. 4

 Xuanwu Lake

As the most important building in Xuanwu Park, Xuanwu Lake is located in the northeast of Nanjing City. Being at the foot of the Bell Mountain, Xuanwu Lake is surrounded by peaks on three sides. There are a number of places of interest in the garden. Xuanwu Lake used to be called Sangbo and was a site for hunting and the training of the royal army. The total area of the park is about 473 hectares (1,169 acres), which makes it the earliest and biggest comprehensive park in Nanjing. Xuanwu Lake Park consists of five scenic areas which differ from each other and enhance the beauty of the whole park.

Admission Fee: CNY 20
Bus Route: 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 38, 40, 44, 47, 48, 52, 56, 58, 59, 64, 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 309, 311, Tourism Bus No. 1 & 3