CHINA EXPERIENCE
At Dongpo Ferry Pier on Yi’ai Lake in Huanggang, Hubei province, visitors can experience China’s first immersive 40-minute nighttime tour themed around Dongpo (Su Shi, 1037-1101) culture — “Meet Huangzhou, From Here to Dongpo”. Su Shi was one of China’s most celebrated poets and statesmen. He spent a formative period of his life in Huangzhou (today’s Huanggang, Hubei) after being demoted there in 1080 during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Though officially holding only a minor post, his years in Huangzhou inspired some of his greatest works, including the Former and Latter Rhapsodies on the Red Cliff (Qian Chibi Fu, Hou Chibi Fu), written by the Yangtze River. It was here that Su Shi embraced a more reflective, resilient outlook on life, shaping both his literary legacy and his enduring cultural image.
The nighttime tour route stretches approximately four kilometers and lasts about 40 minutes. The experience is divided into eight themed chapters, which vividly portray Su Shi’s three transformative stages — from gifted scholar Su Shi (1037-1101), to Dongpo Resident, and ultimately to the legendary “Immortal of Poetry”.
Aboard a Song-style boat, visitors glide through a world of light, shadow, sound, and imagery, immersing themselves in Su Dongpo’s aesthetics of life and resonating deeply with the spiritual world he left behind over a thousand years ago.
Along Youlan Fragrance Path at Yi’ai Lake, visitors can also explore the “A Thousand Lanterns Reflected on the Lake” themed lantern festival. As thousands of colorful lanterns light up in sequence, a cultural feast spanning millennia unfolds.
The lantern festival blends Dongpo-era Song aesthetics, Zigong lantern-making (a national intangible cultural heritage), and modern “China-chic” elements. With four major themes — Dongpo Culture, Song-style China-chic, Whimsical Insect World, and Intangible Cultural Heritage — the event integrates traditional lantern craftsmanship, modern lighting technology, and live heritage performances, highlighting Huangzhou’s nighttime charm and refined cultural atmosphere.
Plan your visit
“Meet Huangzhou, From Here to Dongpo” Immersive Tour:
Night tour: 88 yuan ($12.67)/person; Day tour: 38 yuan/person
“A Thousand Lanterns Reflected on the Lake” Lantern Festival: 29.90 yuan/person
Getting there
• From Huanggang West Railway Station (黄冈西站)
Take Bus No 22 toward Hongqiao (虹桥), ride 16 stops to reach Dongpo Ferry Pier (东坡渡码头).
• From Huanggang East Railway Station (黄冈东站)
Take Bus No 111 toward Huangshang Shopping Center (黄商购物中心), ride 16 stops, then transfer at the same stop to Bus No 18 toward Huikang Jiayuan (惠康佳苑) and ride six stops.
Recommended travel routes
1. “Huangzhou New Year • Most Dongpo” Spring Festival experience
Route:
Dongpo Ticket Office (东坡售票处) → Dongpo Ferry Pier (东坡渡码头) → Main Stage (主舞台)→ Song Dynasty Market (宋朝市集) → Youlan Fragrance Path (幽兰芳径)
Highlights:
Experience the immersive water-based nighttime tour at Dongpo Ferry Pier and visit the “A Thousand Lanterns Reflected on the Lake” lantern festival at Youlan Fragrance Path. A one-day water bus pass allows easy access to the core scenic areas.
During the Spring Festival, visitors can enjoy all-day stage performances, interactive storylines, folk acrobatics, and NPC parades, creating a fully immersive Song-style New Year celebration from morning to night.
2. One-day Huangzhou city tour: Dongpo culture experience
Route:
Dongpo Red Cliff Scenic Area (东坡赤壁景区)→ Dongpo Cultural & Creative Space (东坡文创空间)→ Pagoda Park (宝塔公园)→ Huanggang Museum (黄冈市博物馆)→ Yi’ai Lake Scenic Area (遗爱湖景区)
Highlights:
Stand atop the Red Cliff and reflect on the bold spirit behind “one ci poem and two fu essays.” Visit Qixia Pavilion, stroll around Yi’ai Lake, and savor Dongpo-style pork. Follow Su Dongpo’s footsteps to discover the true meaning of “Where the heart finds peace, there is home”.
Spring Festival special events
From February 17 to 23, Dongpo Ferry Pier is hosting a large-scale immersive role-playing experience —
“Huangzhou New Year • Most Dongpo” Scripted Immersive Tour.
With over 30 live NPCs, a dynamic narrative system, and specially issued Song-style “Jiaozi” banknotes, visitors can enjoy a full-on Song Dynasty New Year carnival, featuring Song-style markets, Dongpo-themed role-play, an intangible heritage lantern festival, and a God of Wealth parade.
The event also partners with nearly 100 merchants at Huanggang Wanda Plaza, offering prizes and vouchers worth a total of 100,000 yuan.
Photography tips
1. Best time for photography
Afternoon to evening, when NPC interactions peak and the lake and architecture show rich visual layers.
• 6 pm — Pier lighting ceremony
• 7 pm — Pier lantern array light show
2. Must-visit photo spots
Dongpo Ferry Pier
A 130-meter-long “Dreaming Back to the Song Dynasty” pier light show, featuring 22 giant lantern arrays and high-definition dynamic lighthouse screens, creating the largest water-based lantern pier in China and guiding visitors into a dreamlike time-travel journey.
“A Thousand Miles Under the Same Moon” Super Moon Installation
Inspired by Su Shi’s “Prelude to Water Melody”, the installation features a 16-meter-diameter super moon, a 30-meter-long celestial palace structure, and a sheer projection screen measuring 8.8 meters wide and 3.2 meters high.
Through immersive light and shadow storytelling, Su Shi transcends time, showcasing his enduring spiritual influence.
• “A Thousand Lanterns Reflected on the Lake” Lantern Festival
Thousands of lanterns, immersive scenes, and intangible cultural heritage performances create a cross-century cultural spectacle, including themed zones such as Poetry and Painting Under the Moon, Song-style China-chic, and Whimsical Insect World.
3. What to wear
Hanfu or traditional-style clothing is highly recommended to match the Dongpo cultural atmosphere and enhance the classical aesthetic of your photos.
Local food recommendations:
1. Dongpo Braised Pork （东坡肉）
Recommended spot: Great Oriental Authentic Dongpo Braised Pork
Address:
47 meters south of the intersection of Chibi Avenue and Qingzhuanhu Lu, Huangzhou district, Huanggang, Hubei province
Contact: +86 713 836 3777
Dongpo Banquet （东坡宴）
Recommended spot: Plantis Banquet Art Center
Address:
Xingang Avenue, Xihu subdistrict, Huangzhou district, Huanggang, Hubei province
Contact: +86 713 360 5777
Accommodation guide
1. New Beacon Walden Hotel
Address: No 99 Huangzhou Avenue, Huangzhou district, Huanggang, Hubei province
Contact: +86 713 812 9998
2. The Peninsula
Address: No 8 Xingang Erlu, Huangzhou district, Huanggang, Hubei province
Contact: +86 713 835 1888
3. Yanyangtian Xinjingchu Hotel Grand Hotel
Address: No 83 Xihu Yilu, Huangzhou district, Huanggang, Hubei province
Contact: +86 713 859 6666