Taizhou Qinhu | The "Natural Oxygen Bar" of the Yangtze River Delta | Wetland Ecological Wonder and Millennium Water Town Folk Customs

Taizhou Qinhu National Wetland Park Travel Guide: A Slow Travel Guide to Oxygen Breathing, Animal Watching, and Fresh Tasting in the Water Town

Qinhu National Wetland Park (Note: the correct name is "Qinhu," not "Qinzhou") is located in Jiangyan District, Taizhou. It is the "natural oxygen bar" of the Yangtze River Delta (with a negative oxygen ion concentration exceeding 8,000 per cubic centimeter), combining wetland ecological wonders with millennium water town folk customs. Whether for a one-day light tour or a two-day in-depth experience, this guide helps you precisely unlock the core activities.

1. Core Information at a Glance
- Address: No. 1 Qinhu Avenue, Qintong Town, Jiangyan District, Taizhou City
- Transportation: Direct navigation for self-driving with ample parking; buses available via Jiangyan Bus Station routes You 1 and 816 tourist lines
- In-park transportation: Scheduled boats, electric boats, rowboats (highly recommended), and Hello four-wheel electric vehicles are available to reduce walking pressure

2. Best Travel Time
- Spring (March-May): Pleasant climate (average temperature 12°C~16°C), blooming flowers; in April, catch the Qingming "Qintong Boat Festival," with hundreds of boats competing, known as the "World’s Greatest Gathering"
- Autumn (September-October): Clear and crisp weather, osmanthus fragrance, migratory birds heading south, reed flowers like flying snow, perfect for photography
- Winter (October to next March): Peak migratory bird wintering, observe rare birds like swans and mandarin ducks; keep warm (temperatures can drop to -3°C)
- Avoid: Avoid the plum rain season in June-July and cold, damp winter weather

3. Classic Itinerary Routes
1. One-day Tour (Efficient Check-in)
- Morning: Take the scheduled boat from the west entrance → East Lake Pier → Qinhu Wetland Science Museum (1 hour to unlock ecological secrets) → Electric boat tour around wetland waterways
- Noon: Light meal at the Farming Fun Park or enjoy lake delicacies at "Qinhu Eight Fresh Garden" (save time, afternoon can add a visit to Qintong Ancient Town)
- Afternoon: Walk the waterside forest boardwalk → Waterfowl Park to see black swans and red-crowned cranes → Milu Deer Experience Area to see the "Four Not Like" → Take a rowboat through the reed marsh → Before returning, climb the Miaojue Pagoda at Gushou Shengsi Temple for a panoramic view of the "Nine Dragons Facing the Palace" lake scene

2. Two-day Tour (Deep Immersion)
- Day 1: Arrive at Taizhou Station → Taxi to Wetland Park (about 40 minutes) → Lunch with "Qinhu Eight Fresh Feast" → Afternoon visit Science Museum + Milu Deer Park + Birdwatching Platform → Evening stay at a waterside guesthouse → Nighttime star gazing and tea brewing on the terrace
- Day 2: Early morning mist lake photography (best between 6:30-7:30) → Visit Qintong Ancient Town, stroll the bluestone streets, see the millennium-old camellia → Experience handmade wisteria bookmarks → Enjoy Taizhou morning tea (hot dried shredded tofu, crab roe buns, fish soup noodles) → Return trip

4. Must-Experience Highlights
1. Ecological Exploration: Walk the 7.5 km circular boardwalk through waterside forests and reed marshes, breathe in high negative oxygen ion air; the science museum offers specimens and interactive exhibits, perfect for family edutainment
2. Animal Encounters: Nearly 200 "Four Not Like" milu deer roam freely in the deer park, with close-up feeding at the viewing platform; waterfowl park features red-crowned cranes, egrets dancing, and black swans leisurely swimming
3. Slow Water Town Tour: Ride a rowboat while listening to the boatwoman sing local water town tunes, weaving through reed marshes, experiencing the feeling of "boats sailing on water, people traveling in a painting"
4. Cultural Connection: Visit Qintong Ancient Town, check in at the academicians’ former residences, folk exhibition halls, listen to Pingtan storytelling, taste old street snacks, and feel the millennium water town atmosphere

5. Food and Accommodation Recommendations
- Must-try foods: The core is the "Qinhu Eight Fresh," including mitten crab, silverfish, snails, soft-shelled turtle, wild river shrimp, etc. Recommended restaurants are "Old Street Flavor Qinhu Family" and "Zhang San Shui Eight Fresh." You can also try grass stove baked cakes, glutinous rice lotus root, and lotus root starch balls
- Accommodation options: For an immersive experience, choose boutique waterside guesthouses (such as "Qiyun Banhu Academy") with breakfast and many with courtyard terraces; some offer Hanfu rental. Budget-friendly options include nearby fast hotels around the ancient town, convenient for travel.