Plan at a glance
Location and entry point
Xiannv Lake is in the southwest of Yushui District, Xinyu. The usual entry is the Xiannv Lake Visitor Center, and the boat terminal there is the real starting point; Love Island, Qixi Island, Yuxian Island, and Dragon King Island are connected by boat.
Tickets and hours
The usual ticket is a combined admission-and-boat ticket. Online listings have used a reference price of about CNY 68, but prices vary by channel and date. Usual opening hours are around 8:30–17:30, so plan a half-day rather than a quick look from the shore.
How to plan the visit
First-time visitors who want the main islands, the summit view, and Qixi Old Street should allow 4–5 hours for the full route. If you have only half a day and mainly want the lake view, choose the 2–3-hour short route; the boat schedule sets the pace, and arriving late leaves less time for the return trip.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
View Visit Optionsvia Trip.comChoose your visit
Main sights
Love Island is the stop for the white church, heart-lock displays, and pink paths. Qixi Island focuses on Qixi customs and themed activities, Yuxian Island is themed around the legend of the Seven Fairies, and Dragon King Island is the place to climb to Dragon King Pavilion for an elevated view across the lake and its islands.
Qixi culture on shore
Qixi Old Street has Hui-style buildings, white walls, dark tiles, bridges, and waterways. Qixi Island’s “Qiaoshi Yifeng” (巧市遗风) cultural activities, needle-threading traditions, the live short play 仙湖奇缘 (Fairy Lake Romance) on Yuxian Island, and evening programmes such as 灯影国潮 (Dengying Guochao) and drone shows are not offered every day; follow the programme for your date.
Who it suits
Couples and photography-focused visitors can give Love Island more time. Visitors interested in local legends and customs can spend longer on Qixi Island and Yuxian Island; the full Dragon King Island route suits people comfortable with extended walking and repeated climbs, while families and visitors with limited stamina may prefer the shorter route.
Photography across the lake and old street
On a clear day, Dragon King Island is the best place for a broad lake view, while the church and pink paths on Love Island work well for portraits. The water reflects strong sunlight, so light-coloured clothing and sun protection are practical; Qixi Old Street is suited to photographing its white walls, dark tiles, lanterns, and lanes, with the night view depending on that day’s lighting schedule.
For a city-centre park and museum route after the lake, see Baoshi Park.
Build your day
Full route: about 4–5 hours
Start at the Visitor Center boat terminal and take the boat to Love Island, Qixi Island, and Yuxian Island, then continue by boat to Dragon King Island. Climb its 777 steps to Dragon King Pavilion, then take a scheduled boat back to the Visitor Center; if Qixi Old Street and that evening’s programmes are open, walk there after returning to shore. The return boat is part of the itinerary, so count boat transfers as well as walking time on the islands.
Short route: about 2–3 hours
When time is limited or you want to avoid several climbs, take the boat directly to Dragon King Island, climb for the lake view, and return by boat. If the boat schedule and your energy allow, make a brief photo stop on Love Island on the way back; after returning to shore, use any remaining time for Qixi Old Street, without compromising your return-boat timing.
Boat timing
Boats are the main way to move between the islands, with departures roughly every 50–60 minutes. In busy periods, missing one can mean a long wait; note the next boat and the return direction after each arrival, then decide how long to spend at the church, cultural stops, or summit.
Get there
From Xinyu North Railway Station
A taxi from Xinyu North Railway Station (新余北站) to the Visitor Center takes about 30–40 minutes. A scenic-area shuttle may also be available on the day; set the destination to “Xiannv Lake Visitor Center,” because the islands have no road entrances.
From Xinyu Railway Station
Bus 503 provides a route toward the Visitor Center from Xinyu Railway Station (新余站). After getting off, you still need to find the Visitor Center and boat terminal; use the day’s map and on-site signs for the final approach.
Driving and returning
For driving or a taxi, use the Visitor Center as the destination, then follow the boat route after entering. You must return to the Visitor Center boat terminal; confirm the last return boat at the terminal and leave enough time to get back to the Visitor Center before boat service ends.
Know before you go
Ticket timing and the last part of the route
Buying the admission-and-boat ticket online can reduce the queue. The scenic area usually stops selling tickets around 15:40 and stops admitting visitors around 15:50, though the times may change on the day; arrive in the morning or around midday and confirm the return boat at the terminal.
Walking, steps, and weather
Dragon King Island has 777 steps, and the full route also involves boarding, disembarking, and walking on several islands. Sun and wind can feel stronger over the water than on shore, so bring sun protection; mosquitoes are common near the lake, so insect repellent is useful.
Supplies, photos, and access
Food choices on the islands are limited, so bring enough drinking water and simple snacks from the Visitor Center or the city. Good photo stops include the Dragon King Island summit, Love Island church, pink paths, and Qixi Old Street; evening shows, drone displays, short plays, and night hours follow the day’s programme. If you need step-free access, ask the scenic area before departure about boarding and movement on the islands.