Changchun South Lake Park

Changchun South Lake Park

Located within Changchun, China's largest automobile industry city, the park covers a total area of over 2.22 million square meters, making it the largest urban park in Northeast China and the second largest in the country after the Summer Palace. It also boasts distinctive garden features. Situated in the southwestern part of the city, South Lake Park has a water surface of 92 hectares and is the largest park in the region. It was first established in 1933. From an aerial view, the full layout of South Lake Park can be clearly seen, resembling the shape of a dumbbell—narrow from east to west and long from north to south.

The lake water in the park is crystal clear, with weeping willows along the banks, winding bridges, pavilions, birdsong, floral scents, and distinct seasons, offering scenery reminiscent of the Jiangnan region. Standing on the South Lake Bridge and looking north, you’ll be greeted by a colorful scene that looks like clusters of blooming, floating flowers on the water’s surface. The various arched bridges, pavilions, and lakeside woods create a harmonious scene that captivates visitors.

In warmer months, visitors can go fishing, boating, and swimming; in colder seasons, there are ice lanterns, skiing, and ice-skating. During midsummer and early autumn, the park hosts various events such as lantern festivals and folk culture exhibitions. When frozen, the snow-covered lake offers a wide range of winter activities, especially dog sleds and camel sleds, filled with the laughter of visitors.

With a water surface of 920,000 square meters, South Lake Park features clear waters, drooping willows, winding bridges, and pavilions, offering a scene akin to the Jiangnan region. During midsummer and early autumn, various events such as lantern festivals and folk culture exhibitions are held here. In the frozen season, a wide variety of ice and snow activities take place on the snow-blanketed lake, particularly dog sleds and camel sleds that carry the joy of visitors—making it a great leisure destination.

The planning of South Lake Park began with the "Daxinjing Urban Plan" devised by the Japanese. In this plan, the Japanese envisioned constructing an artificial lake by damming several small tributaries of the Yitong River, based on the city’s natural environment and rainfall patterns. They also proposed a separate drainage system, directing sewage into the Yitong River and storing rainwater in the artificial lake. Based on this idea, using water from the Xinglonggou tributary of the Yitong River, a dam 10 meters high and 800 meters long was built along today’s Gongnong Avenue in 1937, eventually forming the present-day artificial lake.

A large bridge in the park divides the South Lake waters into two sections. Over 60 years ago, there was also a bridge here, but not the current reinforced concrete arch bridge—it was a wooden bridge called Chuihong Bridge. In August 1948, the -army burned it down to block the People’s Liberation Army’s advance on Changchun. The current bridge was built in 1979 and named after the lake, hence called the South Lake Bridge.

During the occupation period, South Lake Park, along with other parks such as Kodama Park and Datong Park, formed part of the city’s cultural landscape. Among these, South Lake Park had the largest water area and not only served as a park and for drainage purposes, but also functioned as an auxiliary water reserve for the city.