Wangjianglou Park is situated on the southern bank of the Jinjiang River, surrounded by lush forests and bamboo groves, creating a picturesque landscape. The park features shimmering water reflections, elegant pavilions, and a variety of striking bamboo, making it a beautiful retreat.
The park houses several cultural relics, including the ancient architectural complex of Wangjiang Tower and the Xue Tao Memorial Hall, dedicated to the famous Tang Dynasty poetess Xue Tao. The area is divided into two main sections: the cultural relic protection zone and the garden open area. The cultural relic protection zone includes notable structures such as Chongli Pavilion, Zhuojin Tower, the Xue Tao Memorial Hall, and the Bamboo Culture Exhibition Hall. In contrast, the garden open area is primarily focused on the scenic bamboo landscape, offering visitors a serene environment to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of the park.
Travel Information about Wangjianglou Park
Ticket Information and Opening Hours
Tickets: The cultural relic protection zone costs 20 yuan, while the garden open area is free.
Opening Hours: The cultural relic protection zone is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the garden open area is accessible from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Access to the Park
Location: 30 Wangjiang Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu.
Metro: Take Line 2 to Niuwangmiao Station and transfer to Line 6, getting off at Sangongtang Station.
Attraction Rating
- Cultural Value: ★★★★
- Recreational Value: ★★★★
- Distinctiveness: ★★★
- Scenic Beauty: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★
- Thrill Factor: ★★
Highlights of Wangjianglou Park
Chongli Pavilion
Chongli Pavilion, the main structure within Wangjianglou Park, stands at a height of 27.9 meters and features a traditional wooden mortise-and-tenon construction. Its wings jut out into the air, topped with a golden dome, and it overlooks the Jinjiang River, commonly referred to as “望江楼 Wangjiang Tower.” Built in 1889, the pavilion comprises four stories, with the first two sides open and the upper two stories having eight sides. The second floor houses a statue of Wenchang, the deity of literature.
The pavilion is adorned with distinctive decorations, featuring intricately painted beams and carved columns. Each level showcases brackets embellished with classical opera figures, as well as animals from the Chinese zodiac, such as monkeys and rabbits, depicted in lively detail. The ceiling displays vibrant patterns like “Phoenix Playing with Peonies,” characterized by elegant lines and rich colors.
Chongli Pavilion’s prime location next to the Jinjiang River makes it an ideal spot for enjoying the scenic views. During the Dragon Boat Festival each year, the park hosts grand dragon boat races, where rowers shout in unison, paddling vigorously, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement and liveliness. The highest point of Chongli Pavilion offers the best vantage point for appreciating the beauty of the Jinjiang River.
Zhuojin Pavilion
Zhuojin Pavilion was built in the 19th year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty (1814). This all-wood structure features three bays and two stories, surrounded by intricately carved lattice doors and windows, giving it a graceful, boat-like appearance. The pavilion is set amidst lush greenery, creating an elegant and picturesque environment.
Inside, visitors can admire exquisite Ming and Qing dynasty zitan wood furniture, along with various architectural components from ancient buildings. Zhuojin Pavilion was established to commemorate Xue Tao, a famous female poet from the Tang Dynasty.
The first floor consists of three tiers and is open on all sides, embodying a delicate and unique design reminiscent of Jiangnan garden aesthetics. Within the pavilion, there is a striking sculpture depicting the scene of Xue Tao and her poetic friends engaging in verse exchange, capturing the spirit of literary camaraderie.
Xue Tao Memorial Hall
The Xue Tao Memorial Hall is dedicated to Xue Tao, the only renowned female poet from the Bashu region since the Tang Dynasty. Covering an area of approximately 700 square meters, the memorial hall features a modern design that reflects contemporary architectural trends.
Inside, the hall presents a detailed layout showcasing Xue Tao’s life experiences and her poetic artistry through informative texts and images. Adjacent to the memorial hall stands a striking statue of Xue Tao, crafted from Han white jade and standing 3 meters tall, serving as a tribute to her legacy and contributions to Chinese literature.
Bamboo Culture Exhibition Hall
The Bamboo Culture Exhibition Hall introduces the “three major bamboo production regions in the world,” “four major bamboo seas in China,” and “ten bamboo hometowns” through various artifacts and images. In addition to this information, the hall showcases ancient poetry and paintings related to bamboo culture, along with exquisite bamboo crafts, including root carvings and porcelain-embedded bamboo weavings.
This exhibition hall highlights the richness and depth of China’s traditional culture, illustrating the long-standing significance of bamboo in art and daily life. Visitors can appreciate the artistic craftsmanship and historical context of bamboo in Chinese heritage.
Garden Open Area
The Garden Open Area is located in the southern part of the park and is primarily focused on bamboo, making it the largest specialized bamboo park in the country. It features over 200 varieties of bamboo from both domestic and international sources, including several rare and valuable species, earning it the title of the “Bamboo Park.”
Additionally, the northeastern part of the protection area borders the Jinjiang River, where the Yuzin Bridge, Feiyun Waterfall, and Wangyue Platform create a cohesive scenic landscape. When the moon rises, visitors can enjoy the moonlight reflecting on the water from the Wangyue Platform. To the east of Yuzin Bridge stands a Qing Dynasty temple-style building named “Jinjiang Spring Scenery,” inspired by Du Fu’s famous line, “The spring scenery of Jinjiang comes to the world.” This area offers a serene and picturesque environment for visitors to appreciate the beauty of nature.
Related Details:
- The Garden Open Area is the largest specialized bamboo park in the country, hosting a grand Bamboo Culture Festival every year from late April to early June. During this festival, a variety of activities take place, allowing visitors to appreciate different types of bamboo, exquisite flowers, bonsai, floral art, and calligraphy exhibitions. Additionally, there are exciting artistic performances, including musical stage plays, bamboo armor warrior parades, and poetry recitations.
- Along the banks of the Jinjiang River in the garden area, there is a row of outdoor tea seats where visitors can relax in bamboo chairs and enjoy tea brewed with the famous Xue Tao spring water, known for its exquisite flavor. For those looking for an indoor experience, the most renowned tea house in the area is Mingwan Lou, where visitors can savor an array of teas.
Sichuan University
Sichuan University consists of three campuses: Wangjiang, Huaxi, and Jiang’an, and is recognized as one of the “Top Ten Most Beautiful University Campuses in China.” The Wangjiang Campus, which was formerly home to both Sichuan University and Chengdu University of Technology, covers an area of over 2 million square meters. It primarily serves third and fourth-year undergraduates, as well as graduate and doctoral students, making it the “headquarters” of Sichuan University.
As the earliest site of Sichuan University, the Wangjiang Campus has withstood the test of time, showcasing the beauty of the Bashan Mountains and attracting talented individuals from the Sichuan region. The campus boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, making it an ideal place for academic pursuit. With its beautiful environment and profound cultural atmosphere, one can truly feel that “this is what a university should be like.”
Jiuyan Bridge Bar Street
Jiuyan Bridge Bar Street is located on the south section of the First Ring Road in Wuhou District and is one of the popular gathering spots for bars in Chengdu, symbolizing the city’s vibrant nightlife culture. The street is lined with numerous bars, totaling over a hundred, featuring a variety of sizes and architectural styles. Some bars are grand and spacious, while others are cozy, accommodating only a few tables.
Most bars offer both outdoor and indoor seating, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery while sipping a variety of drinks from outdoor rattan chairs or to step inside and dance to the rhythm of the music.
As night falls, the bar street comes alive with dazzling neon lights and a brilliant display of illumination. People flock to their favorite bars, whether to chat with friends, read quietly, dance joyfully, or listen to enchanting music, creating a captivating and lively nighttime scene.
Visitor Guide for Wangjianglou Park
Food Options
In addition to enjoying the lively bars, Jiuyanqiao Bar Street offers a variety of local delicacies, making it a food lover’s paradise. Here are some must-try eateries:
Dahai Bay Restaurant (大海湾酒楼): Located at 29 Renmin South Road, Section 3, in Wuhou District, Dahai Bay is a typical Hong Kong-style tea house. The restaurant specializes in Cantonese cuisine, seafood, authentic Guangdong dim sum, and night snacks, operating 24 hours a day. The Cantonese dim sum and night dishes are particularly popular. Signature dishes include chicken feet (凤爪), shrimp dumplings (虾饺), pork trotters (猪手), custard buns (奶黄包), and century egg and lean meat congee (皮蛋瘦肉粥).
Gaga Laoyuanba (旮旮老院坝): Situated on Jiuyanqiao Bar Street, Gaga Laoyuanba is famous for its signature eel dish (土鳝鱼), which features a unique flavor enhanced by pickled vegetables (酸菜). The texture is slightly crispy, making it a must-try. Other specialties include pickled vegetables with loach (酸菜泥鳅) and seafood barbecue (海鲜烧烤).
Yibin First BBQ (宜宾第一烤): Located at 138 Hongji Road, Jiuyanqiao, Yibin First BBQ is a genuine late-night eatery with a tranquil ambiance and clean decor, open until 4 a.m. It offers a variety of barbecued items that are quite popular, including grilled leeks (烤韭菜), grilled eggplant (烤茄子), grilled crucian carp (烤鲫鱼), and grilled bullfrog (烤牛蛙).
These dining options provide a perfect complement to the vibrant nightlife of Jiuyanqiao Bar Street, allowing visitors to indulge in delicious food while enjoying the atmosphere.
Recommended Bars
808 Music Caravan (808音乐大篷车)
This bar is a popular hangout for young people, featuring elegant decor and a unique atmosphere. With live singers and dynamic dance performances, the environment is lively. The interaction between singers and patrons during performances creates a vibrant and engaging atmosphere.
Norwegian Forest Music Bar (挪威森林音乐酒吧)
Known as “Little Norway” in Chengdu, this bar is decorated in a forest style, offering an elegant and comfortable setting filled with a romantic ambiance. Every night, top domestic and international musicians perform live, providing a delightful experience of enjoying delicious food while listening to beautiful melodies.
Soho Bar (苏荷酒吧)
A well-known large chain bar in China, Soho Bar stands out from others with its relatively quiet environment. The bar features a rustic, rounded counter and displays old industrial artifacts like vintage dials and televisions, creating a unique atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.