Chengdu is a city where history and nature blend seamlessly, offering a wide range of parks that feature stunning traditional Chinese landscapes. Whether you’re looking for poetic bamboo forests, tranquil lakes, or ancient pavilions, Chengdu’s parks offer an abundance of beauty and cultural richness. From famous poet memorials to ancient gardens, these parks offer visitors a glimpse into the city’s traditional aesthetic. Here are 13 of the most beautiful traditional-style parks in Chengdu that you should definitely explore.
Huanhua Stream Park (浣花溪公园): Huanhua Stream Park is a picturesque park featuring charming thatched cottages, streams, broken bridges, pavilions, bamboo groves, and red walls, creating a poetic atmosphere. It is conveniently located near popular attractions such as Du Fu’s Thatched Cottage, the Sichuan Museum, and Qingyang Palace, making it an ideal spot to experience both natural beauty and local history.
Guihu Park (桂湖公园): Guihu Park is the only garden in China that preserves relics from the Sui and Tang dynasties. It is also famous as a filming location for the 1987 version of Dream of the Red Chamber. The park combines historical significance with natural beauty, offering a peaceful environment for visitors to enjoy traditional Chinese landscaping.
Tanghu Park (棠湖公园): Tanghu Park is a tranquil retreat that embodies the essence of Jiangnan-style gardens, featuring pavilions, bridges, flowing water, and a serene lake. The park is named after the “Tang” trees growing in the area, and it is perfect for a leisurely stroll amidst traditional Chinese landscaping.
Longtan Water Town (龙潭水乡): Longtan Water Town is a hidden gem that was meticulously developed into a tourist attraction about ten years ago. The park boasts arched bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and ancient architecture, offering visitors a peaceful and historically rich environment.
Wangjianglou Park (望江楼公园): Built during the Ming and Qing dynasties in honor of Tang dynasty poet Xue Tao, Wangjianglou Park is renowned for its poetic charm. The park features a wide variety of bamboo, reflecting Xue Tao’s love for this plant, and is a perfect spot for appreciating both nature and Chinese poetry.
Dong’an Lake Sports Park (东安湖体育公园): This vast park is home to sports venues, a torch tower, pavilions, arched bridges, and flowing water. It was also the site of the 2021 Summer Universiade, making it not only a scenic location but also a venue for international events. The park is an ideal place for both sports enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Du Fu Thatched Cottage (杜甫草堂): Du Fu Thatched Cottage is the former residence of the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu, who sought refuge in Chengdu during the Anshi Rebellion. The park is a tranquil and elegant space that preserves Du Fu’s life and works, offering visitors an opportunity to explore one of China’s greatest poets’ legacy in a serene environment.
Wangcong Shrine (望丛祠): Wangcong Shrine is a beautiful park surrounded by lotus flowers and willow trees. With three-quarters of the park covered in water, and featuring pavilions, bridges, and flowing streams, the park presents a picturesque, graceful setting that is perfect for a quiet day of contemplation.
Shu Garden (蜀园): Shu Garden combines traditional architecture with a beautiful lake, seamlessly blending the elegance of Jiangnan water towns with the grandeur of ancient Chinese architecture. The park’s landscape is deeply connected to the cultural history of Sichuan Opera, making it a unique cultural experience.
Yi Garden (易园): Yi Garden features traditional Chinese garden elements such as bridges, flowing water, bonsai trees, and classical pavilions. The park offers a quiet, contemplative atmosphere, making it a great spot to enjoy the calm and beauty of traditional Chinese landscaping.
Wuhou Shrine (武侯祠): Wuhou Shrine is dedicated to the heroes of the Three Kingdoms period, including Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. The shrine is renowned as a sacred site for fans of the Three Kingdoms, and its red walls and green bamboo add to the serene ambiance, making it a peaceful spot for visitors to reflect on the legends of this historical period.
Baihuatan Park (百花潭公园): Baihuatan Park is a classic park that embodies the qualities of antiquity, culture, tranquility, and elegance. The park is divided into various sections, including a bonsai garden, a rock garden, a pool area, and walking paths lined with trees such as peach, ginkgo, osmanthus, and plum, offering visitors a peaceful escape from the city.
Nanjiao Park (南郊公园): Nanjiao Park is home to ancient buildings, red walls, bridges, flowing water, and towering trees. In the spring, the park’s magnolia flowers bloom spectacularly, creating a breathtaking sight. This park offers a serene and natural atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and enjoyment of nature.