Xiuhu Park is located in Bishan District, Chongqing City, and it is a national 4A-level tourist scenic area. The park covers an area of about 1500 mu, among which the water area is about 500 mu. Its characteristic lies in the integration of natural landscapes and Bayu culture. With the theme of "Finding Pleasure in Water", it creates a unique urban ecological landscape. There are 20 kilometers of waterfront walking paths in the park, which are convenient for tourists to stroll and enjoy the scenery. There are also more than 800 precious trees, forming a greening pattern with scenery in all seasons. In addition, there are more than 30 imitation ancient buildings in the park, including pavilions, waterside pavilions and corridors, with a total construction area of about 8000 square meters, showing a strong classical charm.
History and Culture
Xiuhu Park carries a profound Bayu cultural heritage. The Bishan area has a long history, and the Bayu culture has been inherited and developed here. The architectural style of the park draws on the characteristics of traditional Bayu architecture, with upturned eaves and carved beams and painted pillars, reflecting the exquisite craftsmanship of Bayu artisans. At the same time, the park displays the historical stories, folk legends, poems and songs of Bishan through landscape sketches, cultural corridors and other forms. For example, the poems written by ancient literati about Bishan are engraved on the stone tablets in the park, allowing tourists to feel the charm of local history and culture while enjoying the beautiful scenery. In addition, the park will hold Bayu folk culture activities irregularly, such as Sichuan opera performances and folk handicraft exhibitions, further promoting the Bayu culture.
Main Attractions
Xiuhu Lake
Xiuhu Lake is the core landscape of the park, with a water area of about 500 mu. The lake water is clear to the bottom, and the lake surface is sparkling, forming an interesting contrast with the surrounding green mountains and trees. There are several small islands in the lake, which are rich in vegetation and inhabited by various birds. Tourists can take a cruise on the lake to enjoy the lake view and the scenery of mountains. They can also stop at the waterfront platform by the lake, feel the breeze blowing on their faces, and watch the fish swimming in the water.
Yanyu Corridor
The Yanyu Corridor is about 500 meters long and is an imitation ancient building corridor with a strong classical charm. The corridor is built along the lake, winding and twisting. The corridor roof is covered with green tiles, and the corridor columns are decorated with red paint. Walking in it, one feels as if traveling back in time. When it rains, the rain drips down the eaves, forming a curtain of rain. Viewing the lake scenery here, the misty rain is full of poetry. When it is sunny, the sunlight shines through the gaps in the corridor roof, and the light and shadow are intertwined, making the scenery charming.
Zhuangyuan Bridge
Zhuangyuan Bridge is a landmark stone arch bridge in the park. The bridge is about 30 meters long and about 5 meters wide. Its name originates from the Zhuangyuan culture in the history of Bishan. The bridge body is exquisitely carved, and the railings are engraved with traditional auspicious patterns. When tourists walk across the Zhuangyuan Bridge, they can not only appreciate the unique beauty of the architecture but also feel the profound cultural heritage of Bishan. Standing on the bridge, they can have a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of Xiuhu Lake, which is an excellent place for taking photos.
Bayu Culture Exhibition Area
The Bayu Culture Exhibition Area covers an area of about 1000 square meters. Through forms such as sculptures, murals and physical exhibitions, it centrally displays the historical culture and folk customs of the Bayu region. There are sculpture groups depicting the life scenes of the Bayu ancestors in the exhibition area, as well as murals showing the production process of traditional Bayu handicrafts. In addition, there are exhibition halls, displaying cultural relics, ancient books and other items related to the Bayu culture, allowing tourists to have an in-depth understanding of the connotation of the Bayu culture.
Delicacies
Bishan Rabbit
Bishan Rabbit is a characteristic local delicacy, made from fresh rabbit meat through a unique cooking process. Common practices include Spicy Rabbit in Hot Pot, Laifeng Fish and Rabbit, etc. For example, for Spicy Rabbit in Hot Pot, the rabbit meat is cut into small pieces and stir-fried with seasonings such as chili peppers, Chinese prickly ash, young ginger and pickled peppers. The rabbit meat is tender and flavorful, spicy and fragrant, and it is an excellent dish to go with rice. This delicacy can be tasted in many restaurants around Xiuhu Park.
Bishan Twisted Dough Strips
Bishan Twisted Dough Strips is a traditional characteristic snack, with sweet and salty flavors. Its production process is unique, using high-quality flour, sesame, peanuts and other raw materials, and it is handmade through multiple processes. The twisted dough strips are crispy, sweet and delicious. The sweet ones are sweet but not greasy, and the salty ones are moderately salty. They can be purchased at specialty stores or snack stalls near the park and are popular souvenirs for tourists.
Bishan Blood Oranges
Bishan Blood Oranges are characteristic local fruits. The fruits are relatively large, and the pulp is purplish red. They are rich in juice, moderately sweet and sour, and are rich in various nutrients such as vitamin C. During the fruit ripening season, tourists can buy and taste them at fruit stalls or orchards around the park. Tasting the freshly picked blood oranges, they can feel the strong fruit aroma.
Entrance Tickets
Xiuhu Park is open to the public for free, and tourists can enter the park for sightseeing without buying tickets.
Opening Hours
Xiuhu Park is open throughout the year, from 06:00 to 22:00. Some areas are lit up at night, which is convenient for tourists to take a walk and enjoy the scenery at night.
Tour Routes
After entering the park from the main entrance, tourists can first walk along the waterfront path to Xiuhu Lake, enjoy the lake view and choose to take a cruise on the lake. Then go to the Yanyu Corridor and stroll to feel the classical charm. After that, pass through the Zhuangyuan Bridge and go to the Bayu Culture Exhibition Area to have an in-depth understanding of the local culture. After visiting the exhibition area, tourists can take a rest in the surrounding rest areas and taste the characteristic delicacies of Bishan. Then continue to visit other areas of the park along the path, admire the flowers, trees and imitation ancient buildings in the park, and finally leave the park from the nearest exit. The whole tour process takes about 3 to 4 hours.
Transportation
- By Bus: In Bishan urban area, tourists can take buses such as Route 103, Route 105 and Route 333 and get off at Xiuhu Park Station to reach the park.
- By Self-driving: Starting from the main urban area of Chongqing, tourists can reach Xiuhu Park via the Chengdu-Chongqing Ring Expressway, Daishan Avenue and other roads. The park has a parking lot to meet the parking needs of self-driving tourists.
Must-visit Attractions
- Xiuhu Lake: The core landscape of the park, with a 500-mu lake integrating with the surrounding scenery. Tourists can take a cruise to view the scenery or stroll by the lake to feel the beauty of nature.
- Yanyu Corridor: A 500-meter-long imitation ancient building corridor, with both viewing and resting functions. The scenery is different in sunny and rainy days, full of poetry.
- Bayu Culture Exhibition Area: An area of 1000 square meters, displaying the Bayu culture through various forms, which is an important place to understand the local history and folk customs.
Tour Suggestions
- It is recommended to visit in spring or autumn. At this time, the weather is mild, and the flowers and trees in the park are lush, with pleasant scenery.
- Bring a camera or mobile phone. The scenery in the park is beautiful, and there are many places suitable for taking photos.
- If you want to have an in-depth understanding of the Bayu culture, you can consult relevant materials in advance to better understand the content of the exhibition area.
- When tasting the delicacies, you can consult the local residents about the restaurants with good reputation to ensure that you can taste the authentic characteristic delicacies of Bishan.
Notes
- Take good care of the park environment, do not litter, and do not damage the flowers, trees and public facilities.
- When playing by the lake, pay attention to safety. Do not climb over the guardrails, and tourists with children should take good care of their children.
- When playing in the park at night, it is advisable to go in groups and pay attention to the safety of personal property.
- When taking a cruise, follow the instructions of the staff, wear a life jacket, and do not perform dangerous actions.