Zhuxi Park

Zhuxi Park

Zhuxi Park

Located at the northeast corner of Huangjinba Bridge on No. 30 Zhuxi Road. Covering an area of 8.67 hectares, about 60% of which is water. The park broke ground on July 22, 1989, and opened to the public on September 26, 1990. It was the first classical garden in the suburbs funded by local farmers and features the gardening style of Yangzhou. In May 1999, it was designated as a second-tier landscaping enterprise by the Provincial Construction Commission.

The Zhuxi Temple of the Tang Dynasty, also known as Chanzhi Temple. Poems by the Tang poet Zhang Hu, such as “In life, one should only die in Yangzhou, where the hills and light of Chanzhi make fine burial grounds,” and by Du Mu, “Who would know that along Zhuxi Road, song and music mark the way to Yangzhou,” both depict the beautiful scenery of this area. Zhuxi Temple was also a historic imperial retreat. Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty visited Yangzhou three times and built a temporary palace here. Emperor Qianlong visited Zhuxi Temple three times, left poetic verses, and inscribed the plaque “Zhuxi Jingshe” (Zhuxi Retreat) for the temple. Zheng Banqiao also wrote, “Twenty years ago I carried wine here, drunk in the spring breeze at Zhuxi Pavilion.” The temple fell into disuse in the late Qing Dynasty, with its original site located about 1 kilometer northeast of the present-day Zhuxi Park.

The entrance hall of Zhuxi Park has five bays, with a plaque inscribed “Zhuxi Park” written by the famous calligrapher Lin Sanzhi. To the north of the hall stands a tall scenic screen. Through the square windows, lush green bamboos, hazy pavilions, and the general view of the park can be glimpsed. The central part of the park is Zhuxi Jingshe, surrounded by water, featuring a three-bay hall with a plaque inside inscribed “Zhuxi Jiachu” (The Finest Spot at Zhuxi). In 1990, it was designated by the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry as one of Jiangsu Province’s export bases for potted plants. In 1993, Zhuxi Park hosted the first tulip exhibition in northern Jiangsu.

The most attractive feature of Zhuxi Park is its lush bamboo forest. Although not very large, it is exquisitely charming, with pavilions, small bridges, and flowing water. Another highlight of the park is that it allows for picnics, making it a favorite spot for young people to chat and read. Sometimes, sitting in a small boat and gently gliding across the water, with lush willows and bamboo forests on the shore and the breeze blowing in your face, it truly feels refreshing and delightful.

Huaisi Town: Yangzhou once had city gates, though those under 60 today may no longer remember what they looked like. Yet, in the local people's memory, Yangzhou still has “gates,” one in each of the four directions — east, south, west, and north. However, these “gates” are not literal gates, but rather represent the city’s entrances and exits. For example, the area near the South Ring Expressway is called the “South Gate,” the entry point from the Liaojiagou Bridge into Yangzhou is known as the “East Gate,” and Jiangwang Town in Hanjiang District is considered the “West Gate.” As for the North Gate, although both Xihu Town and Huaisi Town are possible candidates, locals have customarily agreed that only Huaisi Town truly qualifies.

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