Yanguan Scenic Spots

Haining Yanguan Tourist Resort is located on the Qiantang River in Yanguan Town, Haining. The scenic area can be roughly divided into two parts: Yanguan Ancient Town and Tidal Bore Resort Park. Most tourists who come to Yanguan are drawn by the Qiantang River tidal bore, which usually occurs in the afternoon. Therefore, the morning is a good time to explore the ancient town while waiting for the tide. If you only wander around the ancient town and do not enter the private residences, you do not need to buy a ticket. If you want to watch the tidal bore in the Tidal Bore Resort Park, you can buy a single park ticket or directly purchase a combined scenic area ticket. Entering the scenic area from the Tourist Service Center and walking in from Chunxi Gate, most of the charged attractions included in the combined ticket are concentrated here, within a short walking distance. In addition to these attractions, the Temple of the Sea God on Chunxi Road is also worth seeing. There are many legends about the Temple of the Sea God, and the most impressive are the colorful paintings on the beams and columns. The stone lions at the entrance are also ancient artifacts. Jin Yong Academy is also nearby. The poem “Flying snow fills the sky, shooting white deer; laughing at the divine heroes, leaning on green mandarin ducks” completely records Mr. Jin Yong’s 15 works. Mr. Jin Yong personally participated in the groundbreaking and construction of the academy, and its architecture and exhibition reflect the spirit of chivalry. Murals in the corridor depict martial arts, the Book and Sword Hall discusses the jianghu, the Library houses Jin Yong’s works, and the Wangyun Pavilion offers views of the changing times. Another charged attraction, Wang Guowei’s Former Residence, is slightly further from other attractions and is a place for academic exploration. The former residence was built by Wang Guowei’s father, Wang Naiyu, when Wang Guowei was nine years old, and was then named “Yulu.” “Master of Sinology” Wang Guowei spent twelve years of his youth here and later returned to stay for short periods each year, calling it “Xicheng Xiaowu” (West City Cottage). It displays some biographical materials of Wang Guowei, but its location is a bit hard to find. In addition, the Confucius Temple and Academy, covering an area of over 12,800 square meters, is not to be missed. It can be divided into three parts: the front section, the left academy, and the right temple. The front section includes the spirit screen, crescent pond, Kuixing Pavilion, and Jiexiao Shrine; the left academy includes the Confucianism Gate, Yimen Gate, Minglun Hall, Jingyi Pavilion, and Zunjing Pavilion; and the right temple includes the Lingxing Gate, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, and Chongsheng Shrine. This is an important exhibition area for Confucian scholarship and ancient education, and it also incorporates the display of Haining local culture. Turning left at Renmin Road and walking to the end is the Tidal Bore Resort Park. There are several tidal bore viewing spots in the park, as well as ancient relics such as Zhan’ao Pagoda and the Tidal Bore Viewing Platform, and some exhibitions. The custom of watching the Qiantang River tidal bore has a history of more than two thousand years. Today, the three tidal bore viewing spots of Daquekou, Yanguan, and Laoyancang are particularly famous. The Tidal Bore Resort Park is a good place to see the “line tide.” Usually, around the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month, the tidal bore appears here as a white waterline, rushing towards the embankment at an astonishing speed. As the white line gradually rises, the tidal bore looks like an irresistible white wall, magnificent and very beautiful. Especially during the Tidal Bore Festival on the eighteenth day of the eighth lunar month, the crowds of people coming to watch the tide are no less than the river tide. At this time, park tickets and accommodation in the surrounding area not only skyrocket in price but are also in short supply. The specific time of the daily tidal bore varies, so it is recommended to consult the scenic area before your trip or ask the small vendors around the scenic area. Qianlong Restaurant and Yuanlong Restaurant within the scenic area offer dining options.