The Qinhuai River, formerly known as "Longzangpu," stretches 110 kilometers and is divided into the Inner and Outer Qinhuai Rivers. The Outer Qinhuai River serves as the city moat, while the Inner Qinhuai River, stretching 9.6 li (10.6 li), is known historically as the "Ten Li Qinhuai River." It is the essence of the Qinhuai Scenic Belt. A boat trip on it offers breathtaking views of over 40 scenic spots and landscapes along its banks, including the former residences of celebrities, historical relics, renowned bridges, and renowned gardens of the Jiangnan region, while immersing oneself in historical tales and anecdotes.
The Qinhuai River is Nanjing's "Mother River." Throughout history, it has nurtured the splendid culture of the ancient city of Jinling. Within the Nanjing moat, the river divides into two streams: the Inner and Outer Qinhuai. The stream flowing through the moat, skirting the city walls and venturing into the river, forms the moat and is known as the Outer Qinhuai River. The stream flowing into the city, entering through the East Water Gate and exiting through the West Water Gate, is known as the Inner Qinhuai River. The Inner Qinhuai River, historically known as the "Ten Li Qinhuai River," stretches approximately five kilometers and is the highlight of the Qinhuai Scenic Belt. Along its banks are cultural attractions such as the Dongshuiguan Ruins Park, the Former Residence of Wu Jingzi, Taoye Ferry, Bailuzhou Park, the Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall, the Confucius Temple Exhibition Hall, the Wang Dao and Xie An Memorial Hall, the Former Residence of Li Xiangjun, Zhanyuan (the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom History Museum), the Former Residence of Qin Dashi, the Shen Wansan Exhibition Hall, and Zhonghuamen Castle.
"Boating on the Qinhuai River" originated in the Western Jin Dynasty and can be considered the origin of water tourism in China. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, wealthy and prominent families from the north migrated south and, to explore the Qinhuai River, adopted the form of southern fishing boats and the canopy design of northern horse-drawn carriages, creating the Qinhuai painted boats. Since then, the custom of "traveling the Qinhuai River on a painted boat" has grown in popularity. "Mist shrouds the cold water, the moon shrouds the sands, and I moor at night near a tavern on the Qinhuai River." Despite the vicissitudes of history, the Qinhuai painted boats have endured. Zhu Ziqing and Yu Pingbo's "The Qinhuai River in the Sounds of Paddles and the Shadows of Lanterns" captures the river's prosperity at the time. Today, "mooring at the Qinhuai" is a popular nighttime attraction in Nanjing. A visit to Confucius Temple without a pleasure boat cruise on the Qinhuai River wouldn't be a true Nanjing trip.