Plan at a glance
Tickets, boat fares and timing
Qingtian River is on Qingnan Road in Bo'ai County, Jiaozuo. Set the destination to the Qingtian River Scenic Area Visitor Centre. Allow 3–4 hours for the easier route centred on a boat trip on Daquan Lake, or 5–6 hours for a water-and-land loop that adds the cableway and another pier.
The entrance ticket is about CNY 70, a round-trip boat ticket about CNY 80, and a round-trip cableway ticket about CNY 80. A combined admission-and-boat ticket can be used as a reference when comparing options. Opening hours are about 08:00–17:30, and entry may stop after 16:00. Call 0391-8972950 before travelling to confirm the day's policies, especially any free-admission promotion and water activities.
How to plan the visit
The Daquan Lake boat trip suits visitors travelling with older people or children, or anyone who wants less mountain walking. The boat ride takes about 30 minutes, followed by a 1–2 km walk along the waterfront path. If you want both mountain and lake views, add the cableway and another pier, but the water route, steps and queues make the visit considerably longer.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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Daquan Lake and the high-gorge lake
Daquan Lake is Qingtian River's main attraction. The boat crosses the gorge lake, and the upper deck gives a more open view. The waterfront path after disembarking is relatively gentle, so the visit can focus on water scenery, walking and short stretches beside the water.
Jinjialing and seasonal experiences
In autumn, add Jinjialing as part of a red-leaf route. In summer, water activities can be planned if the weather is suitable. Red leaves and water activities are seasonal experiences, while any free-admission promotion depends on the current operation period.
Build your day
3–4 hours: easy water route
Take the sightseeing bus to the pier, then take the boat around Daquan Lake. After disembarking, walk about 1–2 km along the waterfront path, then return by boat and leave the scenic area. This route involves very little climbing and suits visitors with limited stamina.
5–6 hours: water-and-land loop
Take the sightseeing bus to the pier and board the boat upstream. After getting off, walk to the cableway station, take the cableway uphill and look over the lake area. Then walk or take the sightseeing bus to another pier before taking the boat back. Queue times for the boat, cableway and sightseeing bus affect the return schedule.
Get there
Driving and public transport
If driving, set the destination to the Qingtian River Scenic Area Visitor Centre. Parking is about CNY 10 per day. The last section is the roughly one-hour “108 Bends” mountain road, with many curves and a narrow surface; drive slowly.
By public transport, travel first to Jiaozuo Railway Station, then change to a tourist shuttle or take a taxi. There is a long flight of steps between the sightseeing-bus stop and the pier, making access difficult for wheelchairs and strollers. Visitors prone to motion sickness should include the mountain road and steps in their arrival plan.
Know before you go
Mountain road, steps and queues
The “108 Bends” road is narrow and winding, so visitors prone to motion sickness should prepare in advance. The long steps before the pier make the route harder with a stroller or for visitors with limited mobility. Boats and cableways may have queues on public holidays, so arrive early and confirm the final entry time.
Food options inside the scenic area are limited and may cost more than outside. Bring drinking water and simple food. Boats, cableways, red leaves, water activities and free-admission promotions may all depend on weather or the current operating arrangement, so confirm each cost and whether each item is open before buying.