Plan at a glance
A free district with separately ticketed activities
Haichang Oriental Water City is an open canal-side district at No. 20 Gangpu Road, Zhongshan District. Entry to the district is free and no reservation is required. Its landmarks include St. Mark’s Square, arched bridges, European-style buildings and the second-phase lanes. The artificial canal is about 4 kilometers long; the one-hour short walk covers only the central stretch from the east gate to the square and Bridge of Sighs. Shops, restaurants and indoor venues keep their own hours.
Allow about an hour to see the main streets on foot. With a gondola ride and a visit from late afternoon into the evening, allow 2–3 hours. Gondola rides require a separate ticket, and queues can affect the schedule.
Gondola prices and operating hours
Indicative fares are CNY 60 for adults, CNY 30 for children under 1 meter, and CNY 100 for a VIP ticket. The listed operating window is 09:00–21:00 and may be extended in peak season. Check the day’s ticket information for fares and departures; confirm on site whether a VIP ticket provides any shorter wait.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Canals, squares and bridges
St. Mark’s Square is the district’s main plaza, with a clock tower, the canal and several arched bridges nearby. A walk along the canal takes in bridges, reflections of the buildings and gondolas. The short route focuses on the east gate, the square and Bridge of Sighs; add the second-phase lanes for a longer visit.
Choose how to explore
For photos of the buildings and reflections on the water, choose an arched bridge or a spot in St. Mark’s Square. Gondola rides require a separate ticket.
The district is suited to walking, photography, dining and optional boat rides. Families can watch the boats and explore the square with children under supervision. Do not bring food to feed pigeons or other animals; follow the site’s rules.
Build your day
Two to three hours: walk the district and take a gondola
Enter through the east gate and start at St. Mark’s Square. Follow the main canal past the bridges and buildings, continuing to the second-phase lanes if you have time. After the lights come on, you can buy a gondola ride or stop for a meal in the district. Allow about 2–3 hours for the visit.
Sunset and lighting times vary by season and operation. The music-fountain schedule is seasonal, and bad weather may cancel it. If a gondola queue approaches or exceeds an hour, skip the ride and keep the time for walking or a meal. Summer schedules do not apply in other months.
One-hour walking route
If you have limited time, enter through the east gate, visit St. Mark’s Square, then follow the canal to Bridge of Sighs. This central stretch takes about an hour and focuses on the square, bridges and canal; after the lights come on, it also offers night views. The estimate excludes gondola queues and ride time. Add a ride separately if departures are available that day.
Get there
Metro and buses to the east gate
Take Metro Line 2 to Donggang Station and walk about 10 minutes from Exit D to the east gate. Buses 13, 47 and 536 stop at Gangdong First Street or Donggang Primary School; walk about 3–5 minutes from either stop. The east gate gives direct access to St. Mark’s Square, the main shopping area and the gondola dock.
Driving directions
For public transport, use Exit D at Donggang Station and walk to the east gate. Drivers can navigate to “Haichang Oriental Water City East Gate Parking Lot.” Roads and parking spaces nearby can be busy in peak season.
Know before you go
Lighting, gondolas and nearby shows
The district’s lighting schedule varies with the season and operations. Summer fountain times do not apply year-round, and bad weather may cancel the show. Donggang Music Fountain Plaza is about a 10-minute walk away and is a separate attraction. The yacht marina and coastal boardwalk are also outside the district and are not included in its tickets or gondola rides.
Indoor venues such as the World Music Culture Museum may charge separately. Warehouse 15 (15库) is a separate destination in the Donggang area. Plan a separate transfer if you want to visit it.