Plan at a glance
Wetland park and Huai Opera Town
Jiulongkou Scenic Area consists of Jiulongkou National Wetland Park and the nearby Huai Opera Town (Shazhuang Ancient Village). They are about 500 metres apart and can be visited on the same day, but their tickets and visit times are separate. The usual wetland entrance is on Jiulong Avenue in Jiulongkou Town, and the pier is about 2 km from the visitor centre.
Adult admission to the wetland park is listed at about CNY 60, or about CNY 80 with a boat package; Huai Opera Town is free. The wetland park generally opens 08:00–17:30, while the town stays open until 21:30. Allow 3–4 hours for a quick route or a full day for a deeper visit.
Who it suits
The wetland park is for boat rides, reed marshes and views from Jiulong Pavilion. Huai Opera Town suits an old-village walk, the opera stage and evening lights. Nature observers, families, folk-opera audiences and visitors interested in waterside architecture can divide their time according to interest.
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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Wetland park and Dragon Pearl Island
Take a boat into the wetland, visit the Five-Grain Tree on Dragon Pearl Island and continue to Jiulong Pavilion for views across the lake. You can also try the birdwatching station in the morning; whether birds such as the oriental stork appear depends on the day’s conditions and timing.
Huai Opera Town and Shazhuang Ancient Village
Huai Opera Town is built around an ancient village with more than 600 years of history. Daytime is suited to its bridges, lanes and Shazhuang Ancient Stage, while the town can remain part of the evening plan after the lights come on. The reference time for a free Huai opera excerpt is around 15:00, but the performance depends on the day.
The wetland park and town work as a same-day combination, but one ticket does not cover both experiences. Give more time to the park for a full wetland route, or keep the afternoon and evening for the town if local culture is your priority.
Build your day
3–4 hours: wetland park and town quick route
From the wetland visitor centre, take the sightseeing vehicle to the pier; the vehicle costs about CNY 10 per person. Take the boat to Dragon Pearl Island, visit the Five-Grain Tree and Jiulong Pavilion, and return the same way. Then walk about 500 metres to Huai Opera Town and follow the old street to Shazhuang Ancient Stage.
1 day: birdwatching, boat ride and evening visit
Start at the wetland park in the morning and visit the birdwatching station if conditions are suitable, then take the boat to Dragon Pearl Island and Jiulong Pavilion. Move to Huai Opera Town in the afternoon, walk through the old village, go to the stage around 15:00 if a performance is scheduled, and stay into the evening lights.
Pier and return arrangements
The pier is about 2 km from the visitor centre and can be reached on foot or by sightseeing vehicle. The wetland park and Huai Opera Town are about 500 metres apart on foot, but the location of your car park or station still needs to be considered separately.
Get there
Railway station and public transport
From Jianhu Railway Station, the bus ride to the scenic area takes about 40 minutes, although holiday services may be reduced. You can also ask at the transport hub inside Yancheng Railway Station about buses to Jiulongkou; use the timetable published for that day.
Driving and taxis
The drive from Yancheng Railway Station is about 65 km. In normal traffic, a taxi takes about one hour and costs roughly CNY 150–200. Both the wetland park and Huai Opera Town have free parking; taxis, ride-hailing cars and self-driving are practical for groups or visitors with luggage.
Know before you go
Insects, sun and walking
Mosquitoes are common around the wetland and water, so wear light-coloured long sleeves and trousers and carry repellent. Summer routes have strong sun; bring drinking water and sun protection. Include the 2-km walk between the visitor centre and pier if you choose not to take the sightseeing vehicle.
Food and opera times
Jiulong Fishing Village Farmhouse near the entrance serves local waterside dishes such as lotus-root starch dumplings and mixed-fish pot stickers; the reference spend is CNY 50–60 per person. If you want to see the Huai opera excerpt, arrive at Shazhuang Ancient Stage around 15:00, but check the day’s performance before relying on it.