Stand on Tongji Bridge in the early morning and you can watch the Wu River slide past a Qing-dynasty stone arch that has carried traffic for centuries. A few streets inland, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Shiwang Mansion sits quietly in the urban core, its courtyards and horse-head walls a reminder that Jinhua was a walled prefectural seat long before it was a railway hub.
Jinhua suits travellers who prefer historical buildings, Buddhist sites and mountain scenery to nightlife and shopping streets. The city is also the gateway to the Shuanglong Scenic Area and, further out, to the film sets at Hengdian. This guide covers the sights named in the source material, with practical notes on how to combine them.
Top things to do in Jinhua
1. Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Shiwang Mansion
This was the residence of the Shiwang, or Prince, of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and it is a nationally protected cultural heritage site. The displays cover the history and culture of that period, and the building itself is a good introduction to Jinhua architecture, with its central axis and symmetrical layout.
It sits in the urban area of Jinhua, so it pairs naturally with the other central sights below. Entry is free, but opening hours are listed as to be determined, so check locally before you set out.
2. Tianning Temple Main Hall
The Main Hall is one of the principal buildings of Tianning Temple and a nationally protected cultural heritage site. It has a long history and serves as one of the cultural centres for Buddhism in Jinhua.
It is in the centre of Jinhua City and open all day, which makes it an easy stop at either end of a day of walking. Entry is free.
3. Shuanglong Scenic Area
This is a nationally recognised scenic area and a National AAAA-level tourist attraction in Luodian Town. It takes in Shuanglong Cave, Luti Academy and the Huang Daxian Ancestral Temple, and is one of the most valuable natural and cultural areas in the Jinhua region.
Because the sites inside are spread across the area, plan to spend a good part of a day here rather than treating it as a single stop. Entry is free and it is open all day.
4. Shuanglong Cave
Shuanglong Cave lies within the Shuanglong Scenic Area and is known for its geological formations and natural scenery. It is one of the most famous natural attractions in the Jinhua area.
Visit it as part of your time in the scenic area rather than as a separate trip, and combine it with Luti Academy and the Huang Daxian Ancestral Temple nearby. It is open all day and free.
5. Luti Academy
Luti Academy is a historic academy within the Shuanglong Scenic Area and a protected cultural site in Zhejiang Province. It holds a rich cultural heritage and is a useful place to understand the history of Jinhua.
It is in Luti Village, Luodian Town, inside the scenic area, so it fits into the same visit as Shuanglong Cave. Open all day and free.
6. Huang Daxian Ancestral Temple
This is an important religious site within the Shuanglong Scenic Area, known for its long history and cultural significance. It stands in Luti Village, Luodian Town.
Pair it with the academy and the cave on the same outing. It is open all day and free to enter.
7. Jinhua Mountain Scenic Area
In the western part of Jinhua, this area offers mountain landscapes, ecological resources and natural scenery, along with a number of historical sites. It is suited to hiking, sightseeing and a slower day out.
Allow time to walk rather than rushing between viewpoints. It is open all day and free.
8. Jinhua Mountain Temple
This historic Buddhist temple sits within the Jinhua Mountain Scenic Area and is one of the key temples on the mountain. It houses numerous Buddhist deities and draws both pilgrims and visitors, with a peaceful setting for meditation and sightseeing.
Combine it with the wider Jinhua Mountain Scenic Area on the same day. It is open all day and free.
9. Hengdian World Studios
One of China's largest film and television production bases, Hengdian World Studios is a theme park built around film production. You can tour the sets and see how filming works.
It is in Hengdian Town and open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with an adult ticket price of 150 RMB. Because it is a full-day destination, set aside the whole day rather than squeezing it in alongside the city sights.
10. Hengdian Qin Palace
Inside Hengdian World Studios, this is a reconstruction in the style of the Qin dynasty's imperial palaces and a filming location for many historical dramas. It gives you a sense of the court settings you see on screen.
It is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and costs 80 RMB for an adult ticket, separate from the studios' main admission. Visit it as part of your Hengdian day.
11. Hengdian Museum
Also inside Hengdian World Studios, the museum covers the history of film and television and displays filming props. You can learn about the film-making process and see props and scenes from well-known films.
It is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is free, so it works well as an indoor break during your studio visit.
12. Bayong Tower
Bayong Tower is a protected cultural site in Zhejiang Province, located in the urban area of Jinhua. It has a rich history and reflects the city's cultural development and historical changes.
It is open all day and free, and sits close enough to the other central sights to fold into a walking route.
13. Jinhua City Fucheng Temple
In the centre of Jinhua City, this temple is a protected cultural site in Zhejiang Province with religious and historical significance.
It is open all day and free, making it a straightforward addition to a day in the urban core.
14. Tongji Bridge
Tongji Bridge is a giant stone arch bridge from the Qing dynasty in the urban area of Jinhua. It is a protected cultural site in Zhejiang Province and has witnessed the development of transport and culture in the city.
It is open all day and free. Combine it with the Hongji Bridge Wharf on the south bank, which was historically an important water traffic hub.
15. Hongji Bridge Wharf
Near Hongji Bridge on the south bank, this wharf is a protected cultural site in Zhejiang Province and was historically an important water traffic hub in Jinhua.
It is open all day and free. Pair it with Tongji Bridge to see the city's river trade history in one stretch of walking.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start in the urban core with the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Shiwang Mansion, then walk to the Tianning Temple Main Hall. Both are central and free, and the mansion's opening hours are listed as to be determined, so confirm them the day before.
Afternoon: Continue on foot to Bayong Tower, Jinhua City Fucheng Temple and Tongji Bridge, finishing at the Hongji Bridge Wharf on the south bank. All are open all day and free, so you can move at your own pace.
Evening: Head west to the Jinhua Mountain Scenic Area and the Jinhua Mountain Temple, both open all day and free, for a quieter end to the day. If you would rather spend the day at a single large site, substitute Hengdian World Studios, open 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM with an adult ticket of 150 RMB, and its Hengdian Museum, open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and free.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay to visit most of Jinhua's sights?
No. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Shiwang Mansion, Tianning Temple Main Hall, Bayong Tower, Taiwan Volunteer Army Former Site, Jinhua City Fucheng Temple, Tongji Bridge, Falun Temple Scripture Pillar, Yongkang Exam Accommodation, Shao Piaoping Former Residence, Hongji Bridge Wharf, Shuanglong Scenic Area, Shuanglong Cave, Luti Academy, Huang Daxian Ancestral Temple, Jinhua Mountain Scenic Area, Jinhua Mountain Temple, Fang Meisheng Former Residence, Beishan Rock Carvings, Dongcun Bridge and Shangjing Village are all listed as free. Tangxi Chenghuang Temple is listed at 5 CNY, Hengdian World Studios at 150 RMB and Hengdian Qin Palace at 80 RMB.
Which sights are open all day?
Most of the cultural and natural sites are listed as open all day, including Tianning Temple Main Hall, Bayong Tower, Taiwan Volunteer Army Former Site, Jinhua City Fucheng Temple, Tongji Bridge, Falun Temple Scripture Pillar, Yongkang Exam Accommodation, Shao Piaoping Former Residence, Hongji Bridge Wharf, Shuanglong Scenic Area, Shuanglong Cave, Luti Academy, Huang Daxian Ancestral Temple, Jinhua Mountain Scenic Area and Jinhua Mountain Temple. Hengdian World Studios and Hengdian Qin Palace run from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Hengdian Museum from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
How do I reach the Falun Temple Scripture Pillar?
Take bus Line 19, which runs between the Railway Station and the South Bus Station, and get off at Luyin Residential Area station. The pillar is on Jiangnan Street in the Jin Qian Temple Community.
What local food should I try?
Jinhua ham is the city's best-known product, produced in winter and matured through the summer, with lean meat that is sweet and fat that is not overly greasy. Yongkang Roumaibing, or meat patties, is a traditional Yongkang snack, sold either as a thin triangle patty with pork and dried vegetable filling or as a thicker, smaller patty filled with potato, tofu, cowpea or lotus root.
Decide which of these sites matter most to you, check the opening hours that are still to be determined, and start laying out your days in Jinhua.