Huai River Park

Huai River Park

Located in Yingzhou County, Fuyang City, Anhui Province, the park features well-arranged corridors, waterside pavilions, rockeries, pine and bamboo groves, blooming flowers, and lush greenery. With its elegant and pristine scenery, it embodies the natural beauty of forests and mountains as well as a simple and unadorned charm, making it a renowned scenic spot in Yingzhou.

Also known as "You Family Garden," Huai River Park is located by Wuli Lake, five li west of Yingzhou. Built in 1923, it was originally the private garden of You Yinxiang, a local magnate and commander of the anti-bandit forces in seven counties of western Henan during the Beiyang era. It was called "Youyuan" (Garden for Strolling), hence the name "You Family Garden." After the liberation, it was renamed "Huai River Park." In 1954, the park was flooded but later restored to its near-original state with government funding.

Surrounded by water on three sides and bordered by a flower wall to the north, Huai River Park spans 84 hectares with three streams running east-west that naturally divide the park into four scenic areas. The first area is known for its exquisite potted plants and floral displays, offering beautiful and pleasant scenery. The second area features hills, rocks, pavilions, and towers, presenting a unique landscape. The third area is distinguished by its dense pine forest.

The park is meticulously landscaped with trees and flowers, boasting elegant and serene scenery that highlights the natural beauty of forests and mountains. One highlight is the circular flower pond called "Three Rings Embracing the Moon," adorned with rare flowers and surrounded by 72 plum blossom stakes. To the east of the pond lies Plum Ridge, symbolizing the line "plum blossoms bloom first on the ridge in October." Below the ridge are majestic cliffs with ancient pines known as the "Thirteen Guardians," while the ridge is graced by the rustic and elegant Fengguan Pavilion. To the east of the ridge sways a bamboo grove. To the west of the pond are a rose pond, a flower paulownia, and eight glass greenhouses cultivating various precious roses. The area also features creatively designed pine-themed structures such as the Pine Pavilion, Pine Paulownia, Pine Pagoda, Pine Umbrella, Pine Drum, and Pine Fan, all set amid lush shade where birds sing and breezes rustle through the pines. From the top of Zǐwēi Mountain, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of the ancient, towering trees.

The park adopts the style of Suzhou gardens and incorporates condensed elements of famous attractions in Hangzhou. It is compact yet rich in scenic variety, with rare flowers, lush ancient trees reaching skyward. You Family Garden is listed in the "China Tourism Attractions Dictionary."

The park has expanded from its original 26,000-plus square meters to over 40,000 square meters, giving it a completely renewed look. Above the entrance gate are inlaid four golden characters reading "Huai River Park," attracting visitors. Scenic spots include the "Taiji Stone," "Earth Dragon Pine," "Three Rings Embracing the Moon," "Fengyi Pavilion," "Rose Pond," "Thirteen Guardians," and "River Center Pavilion." Other delightful sights such as the "Guest Welcoming Pavilion," "Lotus Pavilion," "Lotus Pond," "Mandarin Duck Mirror Pond," "Tranquil Life Hall," "Nine Ridges and Eighteen Peaks," "Tower Upon Tower," and "White Stone Pagoda" are so captivating that visitors find it hard to leave. The fourth area is a newly built flower nursery and botanical garden, in full bloom year-round with fragrances drifting in all seasons. It houses the "Prospect Pavilion" and "Flower Viewing Tower," both with innovative designs, and cultivates a variety of precious flowers and trees.

Though compact in size, Huai River Park features well-arranged corridors, waterside pavilions, rockeries, pine and bamboo groves, blooming flowers, and lush greenery. With its elegant and pristine scenery, it embodies the natural beauty of forests and mountains as well as a simple and unadorned charm, making it a renowned scenic spot in Yingzhou.