Plan at a glance
Docks, ticket and operating periods
The Bian River Cruise runs along the Great Song Imperial River (大宋御河), with docks spread along the river rather than a single entrance. The most useful transfer points are Qingyuan Hanyuan Wharf, across the road from the main entrance of Millennium City Park, and 960 Wharf, beside Longting Park's South Gate. Baogong Temple Wharf is convenient for connecting the cruise with Baogong Memorial Temple and the Xisi Night Market area.
A 24-hour pass costs CNY 68 and allows boarding and disembarking at eight docks along the route. One-way tickets cost about CNY 30–60. Daytime service is roughly 08:30–18:30 and evening service about 18:30–22:00. Actual departures, dock openings, and night programmes follow the day's arrangements.
How much time to allow
The Longting Lake loop takes about one hour, including roughly 30 minutes on the water. If you want to combine the cruise with Baogong Memorial Temple and Xisi Night Market, allow 2–3 hours. The boat ticket covers the water sightseeing only; riverside attractions still require separate admission.
Tickets and visit details
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Bridges and riverside views
The route passes 11 Song-style bridges. The arches of Xisi Bridge, Jijin Bridge, and Xiaoyan Temple Bridge are useful details to watch from the boat. Daytime views focus on Longting Lake and the riverside buildings; at night, the bridges, lights, and reflections become the main subjects.
Boat types and water performances
The standard pleasure boat is suited to the regular sightseeing route. Dragon boats, bamboo rafts, and other special vessels require a real-name reservation through the official mini-program. Night cruises may include the River of Song (《泱泱宋潮》), NPC interactions along the bank, or Song ci music-and-dance performances. Whether these run depends on the day's operation.
Who will enjoy the cruise
The cruise suits visitors who want to reduce walking on land and see Kaifeng's gardens and old bridges from the water. It also works when Baogong Memorial Temple, Longting Park, or Millennium City Park are part of the same water-based route. If your connections need to run on time, choose the dock and disembarkation point for the actual direction of travel rather than navigating by the attraction name alone.
Build your day
A 1-hour Longting Lake route
Board at 960 Wharf and choose the Longting Lake loop. The boat ride around the lake takes about 30 minutes; with boarding, waiting, and walking, plan about one hour in total. Longting Park's South Gate is next to the wharf, so you can visit the park first and cruise afterward, or take the boat first and enter the park later.
Departures, boarding positions, and the loop route follow the dock notice for that day. If you continue to Longting Park after the cruise, walk from the relevant dock to the South Gate. 960 Wharf is next to the South Gate, but it is not the same entrance.
A 2–3 hour cruise-and-food route
Board at Qingyuan Hanyuan Wharf or 960 Wharf and take the main Imperial River route to Baogong Temple Wharf. The one-way cruise takes about 25 minutes. After disembarking, walk about five minutes to Xisi Night Market for almond tea, soup dumplings, and other snacks, then use the pass to return from Xisi Wharf or Baogong Temple Wharf.
If the day's departures or night arrangements change, adjust your time at Xisi Night Market to the boats actually available. When the night route ends late, confirm the return dock and the ride-hailing pick-up location in advance.
Choosing the right boarding point
Use Qingyuan Hanyuan Wharf when going to Millennium City Park, 960 Wharf when going to Longting Park's South Gate, and Baogong Temple Wharf when connecting from Baogong Memorial Temple. Each dock serves different boarding and disembarkation directions, so choose the dock according to the route you want to take.
Get there
Public transport
Bus routes 1 and 31 reach the Millennium City Park–Xisi Night Market or Longting Park areas. Walk from there to the relevant wharf. Qingyuan Hanyuan Wharf is across the road from the main entrance of Millennium City Park; 960 Wharf is beside Longting Park's South Gate.
Taxi and walking connections
For a taxi, use “Qingyuan Hanyuan Wharf” or “960 Wharf” as the destination. There is no single boarding point for the whole Bian River route. From Baogong Temple Wharf, Xisi Night Market is about a five-minute walk. Boat sightseeing and the riverside attractions still involve walking between points.
Know before you go
Ticket and reservation rules
The 24-hour pass costs CNY 68 and allows multiple boardings at the eight docks along the route. One-way tickets cost about CNY 30–60. Discounts for children under 1.2 metres and adults aged 70 or above follow the on-site rules. Dragon boats, bamboo rafts, and other special vessels require an advance real-name reservation.
Schedule, weather and boat availability
Daytime service is roughly 08:30–18:30 and evening service about 18:30–22:00, but the last departure, dock openings, boat type, and water performances may change. Access to an upper deck, rear deck, or a particular interactive programme depends on the boat and the arrangements that day.
Separate attraction tickets
The river ticket is separate from admission to Baogong Memorial Temple, Longting Park, Millennium City Park, and other riverside attractions. The cruise connects some docks and attractions, but it is not an internal shuttle between every attraction.