Qinhuai River Night Photography Guide｜4 Tested & Amazing Spots

"Mist veils the cold water, moonlight veils the sand" – Du Mu's poem always evokes the sights and sounds of the Qinhuai River. As the nighttime star of this ancient capital, the Confucius Temple area hides these photogenic gems. Here's my personal photography route: 🚶♀️Night Photography Route Guide Start from Exit 2 of Fuzimiao Station on Subway Line 3. Walk along the Panchi Wharf, passing Dongyuan Bridge → Pingjiang Bridge → Wende Bridge → Deyuetai. The walk takes about 15 mins. The lanterns of the shops along the way and the lights of the cruise ships create a flowing scenery. 📸Four Classic Photo Spots Tested 1. Pingjiang Bridge Nanjing Wall This spot features the city's name card: a vintage brick wall embedded with the gilded characters "Nanjing." Both close-up shots of the wall and panoramic shots are stunning. Capture a passing cruise ship to add a dynamic element with shimmering water. 2. Dongyuan Bridge Lantern Array The iconic lantern corridor with the words "Night Mooring on the Qinhuai" has its best photo spot at the third lamppost on the west side of the bridge. Frame the lanterns with Queguang Pavilion in the background. Use a large aperture to blur the foreground lanterns for a dreamy effect. 3. Wende Bridge Twin Buildings Standing at the stone railing in the center of the bridge, you can capture both the Qinhuai Gift Shop and the Tianxia Wenshu Archway. The best time to shoot is on the hour, when the lights of the surrounding buildings change, creating a timeless atmosphere with contrasting warm and cool tones. 4. Deyuetai Viewing Pavilion Hidden behind the Shuijie Archway, the top floor of this bar offers a 360° viewing platform overlooking the Confucius Temple. No purchase is necessary to access the rooftop. Use the window frame as a foreground element. The moonlight on the Dougong and Feiyan eaves creates a scene reminiscent of "Pictures of the Upper Yuan Lantern Festival." ✨Useful Tips - Best shooting time: 6–8:30 pm (winter)/7–9 pm (summer) - Equipment: Night mode on your phone is sufficient. For cameras, a 24–70mm zoom lens is recommended. - A hand-drawn route map is included in the fifth image. Follow the arrows to easily find all the photo spots. The Confucius Temple at dusk unfolds like a scroll painting, with different light and shadow stories at every turn. Capture the most poetic night of Jinling City as the lights and sounds of the river flow over the ancient buildings.