Plan at a glance
Dock, routes and time
The Qinhuai River Boat Tour departs from Panchi Dock inside the Confucius Temple pedestrian area, near Dacheng Hall and below the Tianxia Wenshu Archway. The main choices are the East and West routes, which differ in scenery, content and price; the East Route is usually easier to fit into a first visit.
Day cruises generally run around 09:00–17:30 and night cruises around 17:30–22:00. A ride usually takes about 40–60 minutes, with departures roughly every 20 minutes or when a boat fills; during holidays, allow another 30–60 minutes for the queue.
Tickets and purchase
Day tickets are about CNY 60–100 and night tickets about CNY 100–120. Prices can vary by route, season and time, so confirm the day’s price before buying. Children below 1.2 metres are usually free, while children 1.2–1.5 metres and visitors aged 70 and above usually receive a daytime discount, subject to the on-site ticket rules.
Advance reservation is usually not required. On holidays, visitors can scan to buy or queue at Panchi Dock; staff will direct passengers to the correct purchase and waiting area. Use the official dock and do not accept unofficial offers nearby.
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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East Route: the straightforward first ride
The East Route takes about 40 minutes and passes Bailuzhou Park, Qicai Water Street, Dongshuiguan, Fucheng Bridge and the historic buildings along the Qinhuai River. The Longmen light installation, the lights around the Great Screen Wall and boats passing under bridges are among the main evening views.
If you want one Qinhuai night ride and have limited time, the East Route is easier to complete within an hour. The West Route takes about 50 minutes and has different prices and content, so confirm the route at the dock instead of assuming every boat experience is the same.
Shore photography and views from the boat
Wende Bridge is a good place to photograph the river before boarding. Dongyuan Bridge and Pingjiang Bridge offer views of boats passing through the bridge openings, while the fourth-floor terrace at Deyuetai provides a higher view over Panchi, the historic buildings and the moving boats.
The ride is suitable for older visitors and children because the boat does not require continuous walking. Boarding, waiting and disembarking still involve standing and short walks, so photography visitors should consider the river view from the seat rather than choosing only by price.
Build your day
A 40-minute East Route ride
At Panchi Dock, confirm the East Route, departure time and queue position before boarding. The route runs from Panchi Dock past Bailuzhou Park, Qicai Water Street, Dongshuiguan and Fucheng Bridge, then returns to Panchi Dock in about 40 minutes.
This works well as one separate activity within an evening at Confucius Temple. Photograph the river from Wende Bridge before boarding, then continue through the Confucius Temple pedestrian streets after returning instead of trying to combine every stop in one tight time slot.
A 2–3 hour shore-and-boat route
Start in Laomendong in the afternoon for a meal or break, then walk through Wuyi Lane to Wende Bridge for the shore view before continuing to Panchi Dock for the East Route. After disembarking, continue through the Confucius Temple pedestrian streets; the full plan takes about 2–3 hours.
This sequence puts the lanes, bridge views and water view in the same direction. If the dock queue is longer than expected, complete the shore route first and decide later whether there is still enough time to board.
Get there
Metro and walking to the dock
Take Metro Line 3 or 5 to Confucius Temple Station. Exit 2 and walk about 3–6 minutes into the core area; Exit 6 is a little farther but may be less crowded. Once inside, follow the Tianxia Wenshu Archway and Dacheng Hall signs towards Panchi Dock.
The dock is inside the pedestrian streets, so the metro exit only gets you to the Confucius Temple area. First-time visitors and families with older relatives should reach the core area early and then follow the on-site signs to ticketing and boarding.
Driving and parking
The Confucius Temple core is congested and parking is limited and expensive, so driving to the dock is not recommended. If you must park, Maoye Tiandi is about a 5-minute walk away and Pengxin Shuicheng about 6 minutes away; holiday availability can change.
The Jiangsu Transport Department parking area may sometimes open to public vehicles, but that depends on holiday notices. After parking, walk directly to Panchi Dock and allow extra time to leave through the pedestrian streets after the ride.
Know before you go
Queues and seating
Weekend and holiday queues can take 30–60 minutes, and the wait can change when boats depart only after filling. When boarding, try to choose a window, bow or stern seat; seats in the middle of the cabin can have limited river views.
The night lights are strong, so photograph without blocking other passengers and avoid changing seats repeatedly. In heavy crowds, make sure everyone in your group can board the same departure before splitting up to take photos or buy drinks.
Tickets, food and the return trip
Confirm the East or West Route, day or night cruise, and child or senior discount before paying, because the price varies by route and time. Food and souvenirs on the main Confucius Temple street are often expensive; Dashiba Street and Laomendong offer more local snack options.
Panchi Dock, the Confucius Temple streets and Laomendong are connected by walking routes. If you plan to leave by metro at night, check the walking route to Confucius Temple or Sanshanjie Station in advance and leave a safe margin before the last train.