Night Tour of Tingzhou to Enjoy a Millennium of Lights

Night Tour of Tingjiang River, Dreaming Back to Tingzhou: A Journey Through a Thousand Years of Light and Shadow Poetry As dusk falls, lanterns along both banks of the Tingjiang River light up one after another, and the outline of the ancient city of Changting gradually becomes clear in the shimmering water. Known as one of "China's Most Beautiful Mountain Cities" and the Hakka capital, it sheds the daytime hustle and bustle at night, revealing a gentleness and poetic charm accumulated over a thousand years. Taking a light boat downstream feels like opening a yellowed thread-bound book, with every page filled with stories of Tingzhou. 1. Night Tour of Tingjiang River: A Flowing Millennium Scroll 1. Departure from Huijimen Wharf The night tour begins at Huijimen Wharf, an important ancient ferry port for merchant ships in Tingzhou. When boarding, the boatman hands you a bamboo lantern, its warm yellow light reflecting on the bluestone pavement, as if stepping into a Jiangnan scene painted by a literati. The boat slowly leaves the shore, the stilted buildings and ancient banyan trees on the bank gradually fading into the dusk, leaving only the sound of oars and lanterns on the Tingjiang River. 2. Ancient City Wall in Light and Shadow When the boat reaches the Jichuanmen section, the lights suddenly dim, and then a huge light and shadow scroll slowly unfolds on the ancient city wall. Projection technology recreates the bustling scenes of ancient Tingzhou — merchants gathering at the wharf, street vendors calling out their wares, students reciting in the academy... The river reflects the flowing history, blurring the line between dream and reality. 3. The Fireworks of Life on Shuidong Street After docking, take a stroll to Shuidong Street. This thousand-year-old street comes alive at night, with tea houses, taverns, and handicraft shops lighting warm-colored lamps. The air is filled with the mellow aroma of Hakka rice wine and the crispy scent of fried potato cakes. The must-visit spot is the "Drunken South Gate" tavern on the corner, where you can order a pot of warm Hakka niangjiu (fermented rice wine).