Zheshan Park

Zheshan Park

Located in the center of Wuhu City, the park derives its name from the reddish soil and rocks, which give the hills their distinctive hue. Comprising one large and one small hill, Zheshan covers an area of 47.87 hectares with a perimeter of 4.5 kilometers. The Qing Dynasty scholar Hu Yinghan wrote in "Record of the One-View Pavilion": “Among all the mountains north of the county, none surpasses the majestic Zhufu Hill. As the hill extends northward, it grows higher, and at its summit, the mighty Yangtze River lies cradled at its feet, while distant peaks are spread out like children.” Owing to its lofty terrain and picturesque scenery, it is an excellent place for ascending to enjoy distant vistas and oversee the river-bound city. Since the Song Dynasty, the foothills of Zheshan have flourished with temples, nunneries, taverns, and food stalls, winning favor among travelers and pilgrims through the ages. “Clear Mist over the Red Pagoda” ranks first among the Eight Scenic Views of Wuhu. Yet, Zheshan has always been an unclaimed, wild hill—its landscape frequently ravaged during wartime and famine.

“Clear Mist over the Red Pagoda” was the foremost of the ancient “Ten Scenic Spots of Wuhu” and has long enjoyed great renown. The renowned Song Dynasty calligrapher Huang Tingjian once lived here.

The Red Pagoda is situated in the backyard of the “Jiuhua Pilgrimage Palace” within Zheshan Park. Originally built in the second year of the Jianning era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1065), the pagoda is a brick-and-stone structure with five levels and six sides. Each level features exterior brick carvings of Buddhist figures. It is a key cultural relic protected at the provincial level in Anhui Province. Legend has it that a strong wind once blew the pagoda’s top off, causing incessant leaks; then, one day, a giant pot suddenly flew down and covered the top, putting an end to the leaks. A line from the Qing Dynasty poet Huang Cheng’s "Bamboo Branch Lyrics of Yu Lake"—“A flying pot caps the spire, sealing it through the years, wind chimes silent without count”—refers to this legend.

The Red Pagoda stands majestically against the mountain and beside the temple. Surrounded by lush woods, bamboo groves, and blooming grass, “after the rain, the misty glow drifts ethereally,” making the scenery extraordinarily enchanting. Through the ages, countless literati have been captivated by its charm, leaving behind many widely celebrated poems. In the slanting sunlight after the rain, climbing up offers a view that captures the poetic imagery of “mist-shrouded river beyond the haze, spring birds singing along the islets,” while also revealing the vibrant modern urban landscape of the river city—its dense clusters of high-rises, crisscrossing roads, surrounding mountains and waters, and flourishing flowers and trees—all combining to create a scene straight out of a painting.

The Red Pagoda forms a scenic ensemble with the Guangji Temple (also known as Little Jiuhua), Shutian Pavilion, Cuiming Garden, the tomb of Liu Xiping—a famed educator of the common people—and the tomb of Dai Anlan, a celebrated anti-Japanese general, among other historic sites. These attractions complement one another, creating a beautiful scenic area within the city.

Zheshan Park includes the following scenic zones: Ningfang Garden, Crabapple Garden, Azalea Garden, Osmanthus Hill, Plum Blossom Hill, and Cherry Blossom Hill. It boasts 220 plant species, including nearly 100,000 specimens of relatively precious trees such as ginkgo, camphor, sandalwood, and maple. There are 41,000 square meters of lawns, 10,400 square meters of scenic woodlands, each with its own distinctive charm.

Noteworthy garden attractions include Cuiming Garden, Shu Tian Pavilion, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, the Watchtower (offering views of the Yangtze River), Juxin Pavilion, the “River City in a Painting” Archway, Millennium Pavilion, Ningfang Garden, and Rose Garden.

Cultural and historical sites include the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, the Tomb of Mr. Liu Xiping (on Big Zheshan), the Martyr’s Tomb of Dai Anlan, and the Mao Zedong Memorial Statue (on Small Zheshan).

Recreational attractions include the zoo, children’s playground, Kids’ Joy City, and a go-kart racing track.

In 2000, the park was rated as a National 2A-level Tourist Attraction. In 2002, the zoo underwent expansion and renovation. In 2003, the park’s main east-west road was rebuilt, lighting facilities were upgraded, five large leisure and fitness plazas were newly built within the park, the Azalea Garden and Dai Anlan Martyrs' Cemetery were refurbished, giving them a completely renewed look. Additionally, the road and landscaping from the east gate to the zoo were updated, and the west gate was renovated. New amusement rides such as a giant Ferris wheel and pirate ship were added.

Historical records note: Emperor Ming of the Jin Dynasty spied on the camps of his subordinate general Wang Dun from Zheshan; Emperor Hong of the Ming Dynasty was captured by Qing troops on Zheshan, leading to the fall of the Ming Dynasty; Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited the mountain, toured its sights, and left his mark at the One-View Pavilion atop the hill. Many scholars and notable figures throughout the dynasties paused here in admiration—Huang Tingjian, Zhang Xiaoxiang, Lin Bu, Huang Cheng, Xiao Yuncong, and others composed poetry while hiking or seeking enlightenment on the mountain.

Ancient people praised Zheshan as the “majestic hill” of the river city and it has long been honored with titles such as “Jade Peak” and “Hundred-Foot Pagoda,” regarded as a symbol of Wuhu.

Legend says that when Ganjiang forged swords on Shen Mountain, the furnace flames scorched the nearby hills red, hence the name. Zheshan spans 47.87 hectares, with a perimeter of 4.5 kilometers and covers 540 acres. It consists of one large and one small hill—the larger Zheshan rises 84.8 meters above sea level, and the smaller Zheshan reaches 67.9 meters.

It is said that a mountain needs no great height to gain fame if it has immortals. Zheshan boasts “flowers that bloom in all seasons and trees that stay green all year.” Since ancient times, its unique charm has attracted visitors, inspiring many scholars and poets to climb its slopes and leave behind memorable verse. Some even made it their long-term residence. The “Dripping Green Pavilion” at the southwestern foot of Zheshan was once where the great Song Dynasty poet and calligrapher Huang Tingjian lived and studied. In old China, however, Zheshan endured the hardships of war, lying desolate and scarred. In the autumn of 1937, the Japanese army occupied Zheshan and closed it to the public until autumn 1945, when Japan surrendered. In 1958, the year of the founding of New China, the government planted trees, built roads, and protected the forest, transforming Zheshan into a public park.