Jiangxinyu Island in Wenzhou

Jiangxin Islet, Wenzhou: Discover the “Island of Poetry” Floating on the Oujiang River
In the heart of the Oujiang River, just north of downtown Wenzhou, lies a small island stretching from east to west like a natural landscape painting floating on the water. This is Jiangxin Islet, one of the Four Famous Islets of China, often mentioned alongside Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, yet far less crowded and commercialized.

The island covers only about 70,000 square meters, but over the centuries it has inspired nearly 800 poems by famous Chinese writers and poets.

If you are looking for somewhere in Wenzhou where you can experience centuries of literary history while enjoying a river breeze and a beautiful sunset, Jiangxin Islet is an excellent choice.

Take a five-minute ferry from downtown, step onto the island, and explore a landscape of ancient temples, twin pagodas, poetry and legends—a place once visited and written about by Xie Lingyun, Meng Haoran and Wen Tianxiang.

One Temple and Two Pagodas: The Soul of Jiangxin Islet

The most iconic feature of Jiangxin Islet is its classic “one temple and two pagodas” layout.

The Eastern and Western Pagodas

The Eastern Pagoda and Western Pagoda are the undisputed landmarks of Jiangxin Islet.

The Eastern Pagoda was first built in 869 during the Tang Dynasty, while the Western Pagoda dates back to 969 during the Northern Song Dynasty.

For more than a thousand years, the two pagodas served as important navigation landmarks for boats entering and leaving the Oujiang River. In 1997, they were included by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities among the “100 Historical Cultural Lighthouses of the World.”

Yet the two pagodas have followed very different paths through history.

The Western Pagoda remains relatively intact. Small Buddhist niches can be found on each side of every level, many containing delicately carved stone Buddhist figures.

The Eastern Pagoda, however, was damaged during the modern period and now survives as a hollow, roofless structure. Yet its very destruction created one of Jiangxin Islet’s most remarkable natural sights.

Several banyan trees have grown from the top of the pagoda without any visible soil. Their roots hang down through the hollow tower, while their branches spread above it like a green canopy.

The contrast is extraordinary: the Western Pagoda represents completeness, while the Eastern Pagoda embodies the beauty of survival and imperfection. Together, they form a skyline found nowhere else in Wenzhou.

Jiangxin Temple

Between the two pagodas stands Jiangxin Temple, the spiritual heart of the island.

In 1137, during the Southern Song Dynasty, a Buddhist monk from Sichuan named Qingliao came here under imperial orders. He led a large group of workers in filling the channel between the island’s original eastern and western sections with stones, eventually joining the two islands into one.

A temple was then built on the reclaimed land.

More than 800 years ago, people carried out what seems almost impossible today: with the determination of the legendary Foolish Old Man moving mountains, they transformed two small islands into a single landscape rising from the middle of the river.

The temple gate is famous for a remarkable Chinese couplet traditionally attributed to Wang Shipeng, a Southern Song imperial scholar:

“Clouds come and go in countless ways; tides rise and fall in endless cycles.”

The original couplet is a famous example of Chinese wordplay, using the multiple pronunciations and meanings of repeated Chinese characters. Even visitors who cannot read Chinese can appreciate the visual rhythm of the inscription, while Chinese-speaking visitors often stop to work out its ingenious pronunciation.

The “Island of Poetry”: 800 Poems Across a Thousand Years

The deepest cultural appeal of Jiangxin Islet lies in its identity as the “Island of Poetry.”

Its literary story began with Xie Lingyun, widely regarded as the founder of Chinese landscape poetry.

When Xie served as governor of Yongjia during the Southern Dynasties, he visited the isolated island and wrote the famous lines:

“Rushing waters converge toward the distant stream;
The lonely islet charms the heart of the river.
Clouds and sunlight shine together,
While sky and water share the same clarity.”

One visit by a frustrated poet and government official was enough to give this small island a literary identity that would last for centuries.

Over the following thousand years, writers including Meng Haoran, Han Yu, Lu You and Wen Tianxiang came here and left their poems behind.

Today, nearly 800 poems about Jiangxin Islet have been recorded. The renowned calligrapher Qi Gong even wrote the three characters “Island of Poetry” specifically for the site.

Haoran Tower

Haoran Tower stands beside the Memorial Shrine of Wen Tianxiang.

Built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, the tower takes its name from the word “haoran” in Wen Tianxiang’s famous Song of Righteousness.

The name creates a subtle double reference: it commemorates both Meng Haoran, one of the poets associated with the island, and Wen Tianxiang, whose memory is preserved beside it.

Memorial Shrine of Wen Tianxiang

The Memorial Shrine of Wen Tianxiang was built to honor one of the most celebrated patriotic figures of the Southern Song Dynasty.

Near the end of the Southern Song, Wen Tianxiang escaped while being transported southward by Yuan forces. He continued toward the south in an attempt to reach the imperial court in exile and eventually arrived in Wenzhou.

He stayed at Zhongchuan Temple, now Jiangxin Temple, and wrote the poem Arriving in Wenzhou.

During the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty, local people built a shrine to commemorate him.

A couplet at the entrance reads:

“Standing alone between heaven and earth, I stake everything on one final stand;
Surrounded by a changing land, I entrust my hopes to a single boat.”

The words capture the loneliness, courage and tragic determination associated with Wen Tianxiang’s final years.

The Ten Scenes of Jiangxin Islet: A Landscape for Every Season

Another attraction of Jiangxin Islet is the way its scenery changes with the seasons and even throughout the day.

Since the publication of the Record of the Lonely Islet during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, the traditional “Ten Scenes of Jiangxin” have been passed down for generations:

• Snowy Shadows of Luofu
• Spring Rain over the City
• Morning Glow over Haidian
• Moonlight on the Oujiang River
• Tidal Rhymes of Meng Tower
• Evening Glow over Cuiwei
• Returning Sails on the Distant River
• Fishing Fires on the Sandbank
• Bamboo Breeze by the Pagoda Courtyard
• Fragrant Spring of Haiyan

Together, these scenes capture almost every mood of the island—from spring mist and summer river breezes to autumn sunsets and moonlit winter evenings.

One small island seems to contain an entire year of changing landscapes, as well as every beautiful moment from dawn to nightfall.

Former British Consulate

The island is also home to the Former British Consulate in Wenzhou, a century-old Western-style building surrounded by greenery.

With its white walls and vintage European appearance, it offers a quieter and more artistic photography location. The building is closed on Mondays.

Ancient Camphor and Banyan Trees

The Camphor Embracing Banyan is another distinctive natural sight.

Two ancient trees have grown together over the centuries, creating a remarkable image of intertwined trunks and branches.

Lingyun Bridge

For photographers, Lingyun Bridge is one of the best viewpoints on the island.

From here, the Eastern and Western Pagodas can be framed together with their reflections on the river, creating one of the classic Jiangxin Islet compositions.

Travel Tips for Jiangxin Islet

Best Time to Visit

Jiangxin Islet is suitable for travel throughout the year.

• Summer: River breezes make the island noticeably cooler and more comfortable than the city.
• Spring and autumn: Pleasant temperatures make these seasons ideal for walking and sightseeing.
• Evening: One of the best times to visit. You can explore the historic buildings during daylight and stay to enjoy the illuminated twin pagodas after sunset.

Opening Hours

8:00 AM–10:00 PM

• Last admission: 7:30 PM
• Last ferry: 9:00 PM

Tickets and Ferry

Adult admission is approximately RMB 30, including the round-trip ferry.

Students and visitors aged 60–69 receive half-price admission. Children under 1.2 meters and visitors aged 70 and above can enter free of charge.

Local residents may enjoy special discounted rates with valid identification.

The ferry is the traditional way to reach the island. Ferries depart from Anlan Pavilion Wharf on Wangjiang Road in downtown Wenzhou.

The crossing takes only about five minutes, with ferries operating continuously during service hours.

How Long to Stay

Allow approximately 3–4 hours.

You can walk around the island, with a loop of roughly 5 kilometers, or take the sightseeing vehicle for approximately RMB 10 per person.

How to Get There

By bus:
Bus routes including 28, 31, 33, 51 and 68 connect with the Jiangxin ferry terminal.

By taxi or car:
Navigate to Jiangxin Islet Wharf. It takes approximately 10 minutes from central Wenzhou, depending on traffic. Parking is available near the terminal at around RMB 5 per hour.

Alternative for families and seniors:
If you prefer not to take a ferry, you can navigate to Jiangxin Xiyuan, which is connected to the island by bridge and provides easier access for families with young children and older travelers.

Recommended Walking Route

To avoid unnecessary backtracking, a convenient route is:

Jiangxin Wharf → Ferry → West Wharf → Song Garden → Western Pagoda → Camphor Embracing Banyan → Jiangxin Temple → Wen Tianxiang Memorial Shrine → Haoran Tower → Former British Consulate → Eastern Pagoda → Lingyun Bridge → Eastern Wharf

At Lingyun Bridge, take time to photograph both pagodas together before continuing toward the eastern wharf.

Photography Tips

Lingyun Bridge

This is the classic viewpoint for photographing the two pagodas together with their reflections on the water.

The scene works beautifully both during the day and after sunset.

Eastern Pagoda

Look upward to capture the extraordinary banyan trees growing from the top of the roofless pagoda. The roots and branches create a striking silhouette against the sky.

Ferry Deck

During the return journey, turn around and photograph the Wenzhou skyline together with the twin pagodas.

The combination of river, city lights and ancient architecture creates a particularly atmospheric image at sunset.

Twin Pagodas at Night

After the lights come on, the two pagodas take on a completely different character. Evening is one of the best times to appreciate Jiangxin Islet from the river.

What to Wear

Simple colors, modern Chinese-style clothing or Hanfu work particularly well against the ancient temples, stone paths and river scenery.

Taste of Wenzhou

Before or after visiting Jiangxin Islet, make time to explore the food scene in downtown Wenzhou.

Dengzhan Cake

Dengzhan Cake is one of Wenzhou’s most famous street snacks.

A mixture of shredded radish, fresh meat and egg yolk is wrapped in batter and deep-fried until golden and crisp. The outside is crunchy while the filling remains rich and savory.

Two popular places to try it around Wuma Street are Dawang Dengzhan Cake and Biantou Dengzhan Cake, both long-standing local favorites.

Wenzhou Sticky Rice

Wenzhou Sticky Rice, locally known as Chuifan, is a classic breakfast dish.

Soft glutinous rice is topped with rich meat gravy and crispy pieces of fried dough, creating a simple but satisfying combination of textures.

Other local specialties worth trying include:

• Pig Offal Rice Noodles
• Wenzhou Wontons
• Raw Marinated Crab
• Wenzhou-style seafood dishes

Exploring Around Jiangxin Islet

Across the river from the Jiangxin ferry terminal lies Wuma Street, one of the most famous historic streets in central Wenzhou.

The street is approximately 400 meters long, with 14 lanes branching from it, and is packed with restaurants, snack shops, traditional stores and local nightlife.

A classic Wenzhou day route could be:

Morning: Jiangxin Islet — take the ferry, explore the twin pagodas and Jiangxin Temple.

Lunch: Wuma Street — enjoy Wenzhou cuisine and local snacks.

Afternoon: Gongyuan Road and Mochi Park — explore more of the historic city center.

Evening: Oujiang River night cruise — return to the Jiangxin Wharf area and enjoy the illuminated skyline and twin pagodas from the river.

If you have additional time, Nantang Old Street is worth visiting for its evening atmosphere, while Wutian Old Street offers a more everyday and traditional side of Wenzhou.

An Island Written into History

From Xie Lingyun’s first poems written here to the lonely courage of Wen Tianxiang at Zhongchuan Temple; from the Eastern and Western Pagodas standing opposite each other for more than a thousand years to the ingenious wordplay carved above the gate of Jiangxin Temple, Jiangxin Islet has spent more than 1,500 years bringing poetry, Buddhism, history and river scenery together.

It is a small island with an extraordinary cultural weight—a kind of “Penglai Island of the Oujiang River,” where legends, literature and landscapes seem to overlap.

It never needs to compete for attention. Instead, it quietly offers every visitor a five-minute ferry ride, nearly 800 poems, and four seasons of changing scenery on a single island.

If you want to experience Wenzhou somewhere that combines literary heritage with river breezes and beautiful sunsets, come to Jiangxin Islet. Here, the pagodas have watched over the river for a thousand years, the temple remembers the courage of those who came before, and you can stand on the same small island once visited by Xie Lingyun, Meng Haoran and Wen Tianxiang.