Chongqing Garden Expo Park is located in the Longjing Lake area of Yuanyang Sub-district, Liangjiang New Area, Chongqing. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and the venue for the 8th China (Chongqing) International Garden Expo. The total area of the park is 3,300 mu (approximately 2.2 million square meters), of which the lake area covers 800 mu (approximately 533,333 square meters). Guided by the design concepts of traditional style, classical style and classic style, the park is divided into 4 functional zones: the Entrance Area, Scenic Garden Area, Exhibition Garden Area and Ecological Area. It has 5 thematic buildings including the Main Exhibition Hall, Bayu Garden, Longjing Academy, Chongyun Pagoda and Wind-Rain Covered Bridge, 127 urban exhibition gardens, as well as 51,000 square meters of landscape buildings and 26 scenic spots. There are 660 species of plants belonging to 359 genera and 128 families in the park, and more than 300 species of wild animals, including 9 species of national second-class key protected wild animals.
History and Culture
On January 20, 2010, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development officially confirmed that Chongqing would host the 8th China International Garden Expo. In February of the same year, the preparation work was launched, and the site was planned to be in Longjing Lake of the Northern New Area. On April 8, 2011, the construction of the main infrastructure projects of the Garden Expo Park entered the completion stage. On November 19 of the same year, Chongqing Garden Expo Park was completed and opened to the public. Since its opening, Chongqing Garden Expo Park has effectively continued the theme of garden culture by holding various cultural activities such as the Chongqing Chrysanthemum Art Exhibition, Science and Technology Activity Week and Spring Festival Carnival.
Major Attractions
Main Exhibition Hall
With a construction area of about 18,000 square meters, the Main Exhibition Hall is one of the important buildings in the Garden Expo Park. It focuses on displaying the essence and development history of garden art. Through various exhibitions and display forms, it allows visitors to understand the rich connotation of garden culture.
Bayu Garden
Covering an area of about 12,000 square meters, Bayu Garden showcases the traditional architectural style and folk cultural characteristics of the Bayu region. The garden is home to ancient-style pavilions, towers, winding corridors, as well as carvings and decorations with Bayu features, allowing visitors to experience the strong Bayu style here.
Longjing Academy
Longjing Academy has a quiet environment and an elegant architectural style, covering an area of 44,650 square meters. It is a place full of cultural atmosphere. Cultural lectures, art exhibitions and other activities are often held here, providing visitors with a platform to understand traditional culture and art.
Longjing Lake
Longjing Lake is the core water landscape in the Garden Expo Park, with a total area of 800 mu (approximately 533,333 square meters), an average water depth of 3.5 meters and a maximum depth of 8 meters. It is a freshwater lake formed by artificial damming. The lake water is diverted from a tributary of the Jialing River, and its water quality meets the national Class III standard. Fish such as koi, grass carp and crucian carp are released into the lake, and waterfowls such as egrets, herons and wild ducks inhabit here, forming a sound ecosystem.
Chongyun Pagoda
Chongyun Pagoda has a total height of 51.6 meters, a base diameter of 12 meters and a construction area of about 800 square meters. As one of the landmark buildings of the Garden Expo Park, it stands tall. Climbing to the top of Chongyun Pagoda, visitors can overlook the panoramic view of the Garden Expo Park and enjoy the beautiful scenery of lakes, mountains and gardens.
Wind-Rain Covered Bridge
Spanning across the lake, the 246-meter-long Wind-Rain Covered Bridge has an elegant shape. It is not only a transportation facility but also a good place to enjoy the scenery. Visitors can stroll on the covered bridge, admire the surrounding lake views and garden scenery, and experience the charm of the water towns in the Jiangnan region (the southern part of the Yangtze River).
Travel Route
The following is a reference travel route: Enter from the main entrance, first visit the modern gardens, then reach Huicui Garden and Beijing Garden via Bridge No. 1, proceed to the entrance of Shenzhen Garden, go to Hong Kong-Macao Garden via Bridge No. 3, then head to Longjing Academy and Bayu Garden, and finally exit from the main entrance; alternatively, enter from the east entrance, visit Jiangnan Garden, Western Garden (Chengdu), Northern Garden (Luoyang) and Lingnan Garden, take a rest near the fast-food restaurant station, go to Hong Kong-Macao Garden via Bridge No. 3, return to Jiangnan Garden, and exit from the east entrance.
Travel Tips
- The Garden Expo Park covers a large area, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes for a better tour experience.
- You can learn about the distribution of scenic spots and activity arrangements in the park in advance to plan your travel route reasonably.
- There are relatively few dining places in the park. You can bring some food and drinks by yourself, or have meals at the restaurants or food stalls by the lake.
- If you have enough time, you can take your time to appreciate the scenery of each garden and experience the charm of different garden styles.
Notes
- Security check is required when entering the park. Controlled knives are not allowed. For sealed drinks such as mineral water and teacups, you need to take a sip at the security check before entering the park.
- Pay attention to environmental protection, do not litter, and do not damage the plants and landscapes in the park.
- When playing by the lake, pay attention to safety, take good care of the elderly and children, and do not approach dangerous areas.
- Follow the signs in the park and the guidance of the staff, and visit in an orderly manner.
Transportation
- Subway: Take Metro Line 3 to Garden Expo Park Station, walk straight for 500 meters after exiting the station, and you will reach the East Secondary Entrance.
- Bus: Take Bus Routes 555, 559, 575, 623, 633, 676, 883 or 965 to Garden Expo Park Main Entrance Station, cross the overpass, and you will reach the main entrance of the Garden Expo Park.
- Self-driving: Self-driving tourists can navigate to "Chongqing Garden Expo Park (Main Entrance)" or "Chongqing Garden Expo Park East Secondary Entrance".
Opening Hours
The park is open from 09:00 to 17:00. Admission is stopped at 17:00, and the park closes at 20:00.
Tickets
Admission to Chongqing Garden Expo Park is free. Visitors can make an appointment by scanning the QR code to enter the park.