A total of 72 tourists set off from Hangzhou in a cruise for along the Qiantang River Quzhou on March 14, marking the reopening of direct river cruise linking Hangzhou and Quzhou.

The cruise, taking three nights and four days, will pass more than 10 scenic spots along the Qiantang River and ends at Kaihua county of Quzhou.

Located in western Zhejiang in the upper reaches of the Qiantang River, Quzhou has long been known as a thoroughfare between four provinces: Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi and Anhui.

Quzhou has a history of more than 6,000 years of civilization, while the city itself is 1,800 years old. It is home to many of Confucius's descendants and its Temple of Southern Confucianism is one of only two Confucian temples in China, as well as a key cultural heritage site under national protection.