On August 1st, Ningbo officially unveiled the first six themed waterway routes.

These routes connect four iconic water areas—Sanjiangkou (Three Rivers Junction), Dongqian Lake, Jiulong Lake, and the Yao River—using boats as the link. They offer citizens and tourists an immersive way to experience Ningbo's urban history, Song Dynasty elegance, Wang Yangming's philosophy, and natural ecology. This initiative is a key part of building the Ziang provincial waterway tourism brand.

A New Waterway Tourism Landscape in Ningbo: Six Themed Routes Weaving a Living Scroll of Jiangnan

Ningbo, a city intertwined with water, is charting a new course in waterway tourism through innovation.

The six newly launched transport-tourism integrated routes are like six shining pearls stringing together the city’s four classic water zones. Meticulously crafted by local cultural tourism companies, each route has its distinct theme and cultural essence.

• "Reflections on the Three Rivers" Night Cruise at Sanjiangkou showcases the city skyline illuminated at night, presenting the charm of a modern metropolis.

• "Upright Voyage" Red Route creatively combines clean governance culture with maritime heritage, telling stories of upright officials and promoting the city’s spirit.

• "Searching for Song Charm" Route at Dongqian Lake recreates the ambience of Song Dynasty scholars boating on the lake, offering a graceful cultural experience.

• "Leisurely Boat to Hanling" Route allows visitors to immerse themselves in a journey of hanfu lake cruises and the vibrant life of an ancient village.

• "Inquiring of the Boat – Yangming" Route on the Yao River guides tourists into the philosophical world of Wang Yangming.

• “Boating on Jiulong” Route launches a parent-child “mountain and water blind box” adventure, meeting wild monkey groups on island explorations—filling a gap in water-based learning and nature education.

These six themed routes meet diverse tourist needs with their unique identities. Through a differentiated "one theme per line" strategy, they together depict a vivid, living water tour map of Jiangnan, blending tradition with modernity and tranquillity with vitality. It also marks a new phase in Ningbo's coordinated development of land-water transport and cultural tourism integration.

Night Cruise at Sanjiangkou: Witness Amber-lit Architecture, Explore Upright Legacy by Boat

As the confluence of the Yong, Yao, and Fenghua Rivers, Sanjiangkou is both the geographical and cultural heart of Ningbo.

When night falls, the "Reflections on the Three Rivers" cruise brings this area to life. Liu Kui, Assistant General Manager of Ningbo Hanya Blue Dolphin Culture & Tourism Co., described it poetically at the launch: "The European-style buildings of the Old Bund glow like amber specimens under the lights, and the Catholic church’s spire seems to pierce the night."

This route links iconic sights like the Old Bund, the church, and Sanjiangkou, encapsulating the grandeur of Ningbo’s motto: "A city of ancient wisdom, a port open to the world," all in a 50-minute journey.

While "Reflections on the Three Rivers" highlights Ningbo’s modern sparkle and historical beauty, the "Upright Voyage" route explores another cultural gem—integrating Ningbo’s merchant culture, canal heritage, national industry, and maritime legacy with the theme of integrity. Carefully designed stops along the river narrate stories of famous upright officials from Ningbo’s history.

During the 50-minute journey, passengers are not only immersed in a cultural experience of honesty and integrity but also introduced to Ningbo’s deep maritime roots as a key starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, sensing the city’s enduring and evolving spirit.

Dongqian Lake’s "Dual Aesthetic": A Single Boat Through Song Elegance and Village Life

“West Lake’s charm, Taihu’s grandeur”— this phrase describes Dongqian Lake, Zhejiang’s largest natural freshwater lake. Ying Wenting, Marketing Manager of Dongqian Lake Water Tourism Co., poetically explained the lake’s charm: “By day, the lake is like a long scroll in ink; by night, it becomes a spilt palette of colours.” A single lake, two faces; one boat, both ancient and modern—the lake’s “dual aesthetics” await discovery.

During the Song Dynasty, Dongqian Lake was at its cultural peak. Scholars cruised the lake, sipping wine and composing poetry. The famed Wang Anshi, during his tenure as county magistrate, advocated dredging the lake—a legacy still benefiting later generations. Along its shores are scattered historical landmarks like Xiaoputuo, Xiayu Zen Temple, and Erlingshan—silent witnesses to this brilliant era.

The “Searching for Song Charm” route sails into this rich heritage. On quiet night cruises, light projections of the “Waterborne Guanyin” on Xiaoputuo create a dreamlike scene, echoing Wang Anshi’s poetic image of “moonlight and lake view from a shared tower.” The boat’s gentle oars stir starlight, guiding guests through a graceful Song-era experience.

On the other side, the “Leisurely Boat to Hanling” route brings people into the heart of daily life. Departing from Hanling, the cruise passes landmarks like the art museum, convention center, and sailing base, returning to Hanling Ancient Village, once Eastern Zhejiang’s most prosperous street in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Historic homes stand tall, and stone-paved alleys wind. This route cleverly integrates “cruise sightseeing + hanfu photoshoots + night feasts.” As the lanterns reflect on the water and mingle with the aroma of traditional snacks, a vivid Jiangnan water-town market scene comes alive.

Two settings in one lake, history and life intertwined; two styles in one boat, bridging elegance and warmth—Dongqian Lake’s dual aesthetic is revealed in this poetic journey.

Jiulong Lake Family Adventure: Board the Boat, Land on Monkey Island, and Meet the Wild “Locals”

“As soon as the boat docks, monkeys leap onto the deck to greet visitors!” said Zou Yaping, guide from Ningbo Jiulong Lake Tourism Investment Co., introducing the “Boating on Jiulong” route.

This route offers a unique “lake cruise + island exploration” experience, making it a favourite among families with children.

After passing through a 3D canyon light show, visitors reach Monkey Island, where wild monkeys live freely and interact playfully. Under safe conditions, visitors can observe them up close and enjoy the fun of nature.

Adding a high-tech touch, the cruise features a rare “naked-eye 3D time travel” indoor attraction, immersing guests in a stunning visual experience that brings a futuristic edge to this nature adventure.

Jiulong Lake spans about 2 square kilometres. The Phase I route runs about 1,000 meters from the scenic dock to Monkey Island dock, with seven boats currently in operation, offering families a smooth, engaging water-bound discovery journey.

Night Cruise on the Yao River: An Immersive Journey of “Unity of Knowledge and Action”

“Paddle and lanterns guide the boat through time on the Yao River.” Huang Yi, Marketing Manager of Yao River Tourism Development Co. in Yuyao, captured the essence of the “Inquiring of the Boat – Yangming” route with a quote:
“Here, Wang Yangming once realized his philosophy: ‘In my heart, there is already the bright moon.’ Tonight, the moonlight and lanterns over the Yao River embody this unity of knowledge and action.”

This is no ordinary night cruise—it’s a philosophical dialogue across time.

The Yao River, once known as “Shun River,” stretches over 100 kilometres and nourishes nearly a third of Ningbo’s fertile land. It has reflected the thoughts of great scholars like Wang Yangming and Huang Zongxi. Now, the “Inquiring of the Boat – Yangming” route fuses night cruises with Neo-Confucianism, reviving the warmth of history through flowing waters.

In a 30-minute cruise, historic landmarks like Tongji Bridge, Shunjiang Tower, and Longquan Mountain unfold under the soft red lanterns known as “Yuyao Red.” Professional narrators bring to life Wang Yangming’s enlightenment at Longchang and his philosophical clarity at Tianquan, transforming them into palpable breezes on the river.

From Sanjiangkou’s city lights, Dongqian Lake’s Song-era charm, and Jiulong Lake’s wild wonder, to the reflective calm of Yao River, Ningbo’s transport-tourism integrated waterway routes are carving out differentiated, “small but exquisite” experiences—breaking free from the sameness of traditional sightseeing cruises.

A Ningbo port and navigation official noted that future efforts will further integrate cultural tourism resources along these routes, deepen development of hybrid offerings like “cruise + cultural creation” and “cruise + educational travel,” enhance service quality, and make these themed routes a vibrant symbol of Ningbo’s contribution to the province-wide “Boating in Zhejiang” brand.

Source: Ningbo Port and Navigation Administration

Editor: Ye Ke