Taoye Ferry

Taoye Ferry, also named Nanpu Ferry, was an old place name of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. Taoye Ferry was an old ferry on the Qinhuai River, at the confluence of the Qinhuai River and Ancient Qingxi River, where now is the east of Jiangnan Gongyuan ("江南贡院") where was Lishe Bridge and now south of Huai Qing Bridge. Taoye Ferry is also used to refer to the stretch from Gongyuan East Street to the west of Huai Qing Bridge on Jiankang Road. During Six Dynasties(from 229 A.D to 589 A.D), Taoye Ferry was a famouse send-off place, then it is listed as one of the 48 Views of Jinling (former name of Nanjing)".

Origin of the place name

It is said that Wang Xianzhi, the seventh son of Wang Xizhi, (a renowned calligrapher in the Dongjin Dynasty) often awaited himself his beloved concubine Taoye to be ferried at the crossing. At that time, the inner Qinhuai River was wide and deep, particularly at the Taoye Ferry. The boat would often turn over if the ferrymen were not cautious enough when encountered with rough waves and fierce winds. Therefore, Wang Xianzhi composed a “Song of Taoye” for his dear concubine to calm her and ease her fears when crossing the river. The song goes like this:

O sweet Taoye, thou art my love,

Cross the river straight and be not afraid.

Tho’ the boat sails hastily without an oar,

I shall await here and assure thou safe return.

And Taoye sang a reply on the boat:

My face and the red blossoms reflect each other's glow.

With grace they sway and gentleness I dance.

Though every girl has her fairness at time of youth,

I feel grateful for I am the only apple in your eye.

Three songs of Taoye by Wang Xianzhi

O sweet Taoye, thou art my love,

Cross the river straight and be not afraid.

Tho’ the boat sails hastily without an oar,

I shall await here and assure thou safe return.

My darling Taoye, thou art my love.

Taoye joint Taogen as we two are never alone.

I hold your heart dear, and mine you cannot miss;

May the pleasures I give you move thee.

My face and the red blossoms reflect each other's glow.

With grace they sway and gentleness I dance.

Though every girl has her fairness at time of youth,

I feel grateful for I am the only apple in your eye.

History deduction

There have not been any bridges over Taoye Ferry for hundreds of years until the third year in the reign of Emperor Shun Zhi, 1646. Mr. Jin Yunpu in Xiaolingwei, after seeing too much drowning caused by boats’ turnover, sponsored building a wooden bridge here. The governor at that time, Li Zhengmao, greatly appreciated his contribution and naming the bridge “Li She Bridge” which meant that it had made the transportation convenient. The bridge no longer exists today, but that street name is still be in use. And because of the bridge, the ferry collapsed in the Republic of China.

The officials erected a stele at the sport in 1984, and a memorial arch and a pavilion north of it in 1987. In 2003, the site was restored into a relic park which begins in the east of Huai Qing Bridge and ends at Ping Jiangfu Road, with an area almost 5000 m². The park themes in culture of the Six-Dynasties and owns a gallery of steles graved poems about Taoye Ferry by ancient scholars. Those were also restored including scenic spots such as the ancient crossing and places for playing and appreciating the flute.

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