Gouya Natural Scenic Area

Zhangpu West Lake Park

Nestled in the western part of Zhangpu County, Zhangzhou City, and surrounded by modern buildings, lies a classical garden with the charm of the Tang and Song dynasties—Zhangpu West Lake Park. It boasts the highest standard and largest scale among county-level parks in the province and is now open to the public free of charge, making it a great destination for leisure and recreation.

Zhangpu West Lake Park is a comprehensive cultural and recreational park with water features as its main highlight, showcasing the artistry of ancient Chinese garden design. Each scenic section is adorned with pavilions, terraces, winding corridors, and small bridges. In the western corner of the park lies the West Lake residential community, an ideal spot for commerce, entertainment, residence, and tourism. Lush trees line the lake, while small islands reflect playfully on the shimmering waters, complemented by the shifting clouds. A boat ride across the lake, with views of the Liangyue mountain range, offers a truly refreshing experience.

Zhangpu West Lake has a long history, originally established in the eighth year of the Jiading era during the Southern Song Dynasty (1215), located outside the west gate of the former Zhangpu County town. At that time, it covered an area of about 80 mu and was known as one of the “Ten Scenic Spots of Ancient Zhangpu” under the name “Lake Storing Virtuous Talent.” In the first year of the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1621), a dam called Shuangxi was constructed near the lake, bringing a continuous inflow of stream water. After 1951, the lake was converted into a fish farming pond. In 1995, the county Party committee and government prioritized the development of West Lake Park as a key project for improving people’s livelihoods, investing over thirty million yuan to create the top-tier county-level park in the province. The park officially opened to the public on New Year’s Day 1999, offering a space for leisure and sightseeing. Today, West Lake Park covers 230 mu, with a lake shoreline of 1,869 meters and a water area of 90 mu. Designed in the style of the Tang Dynasty, it combines traditional architectural elements with modern artistic flair. Right at the park’s entrance, visitors are greeted by the bold, powerful characters of “West Lake Park,” inscribed by the renowned calligrapher Qi Gong. West Lake Park serves as an excellent leisure destination for the people of Zhangpu and a graceful attraction for visiting tourists.

The total investment in Zhangpu West Lake Park amounted to 44 million yuan, covering an area of 230 mu, including a 90-mu lake surface. The overall design was overseen by Professor Peng Yigang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a leading contemporary architectural designer. Located within the county town, it borders Maishi Street to the east, Jinniu Road to the west, Longhu Road to the south, and Qingnian Road to the north. The park spans 230 mu (including the already built Youth Palace and Children’s Playground), with 140 mu of land and 90 mu of lake surface, and has a perimeter of 1,953 meters.