Xiushui Park

Xiushui Park

The east gate of Xiushui Park was built in July 1998. Majestic and grand in style, this two-story structure features an upper section designed in the Han Dynasty style and a lower section in the Ming and Qing Dynasties style. In the center stands a massive stone tablet, 4 meters high and 3 meters wide, engraved with “The Record of Xiushui Park,” calligraphed by local cultural figure Li Qianshan and authored by Dong Naikang. On either side of the tablet are double-leaf antique-style doors. There is also a single-story auxiliary building on each side of the main gate, connected to it by a retractable gate that allows vehicles to pass through.

Located in the central area of the county town, the park boasts a pleasant environment and convenient transportation. The majestic east gate, the exquisite Bagua Pavilion, the colorful Feihong Bridge lying across the water, and the gracefully upturned eaves of the Peony Pavilion all form picturesque scenes. Scattered throughout the park are a programmed fountain, South and North Lakes, the Rose Garden, the Orchard, the S-shaped Flower Stand, the Children’s Playground, and the National Defense Education Park. Other planned features include the Jade Emperor Pavilion, the Celebrity Garden, the Botanical Garden, the Amusement Park, the Kuixing Tower, the Zigzag Plank Bridge, the Xiushui Villa, the Bishan Waterfall, the Cultural and Artistic Palace, and the Water Activity Center.

The exquisite Bagua Pavilion. Covering a construction area of 120 square meters with a total cost of about 720,000 yuan, the Bagua Pavilion is located where the two lakes meet. A bridge spans the water, and the pavilion stands atop it like an ornament, complementing the scenery. With its double eaves soaring upward, it frames the morning glow and evening mist. The arched bridge by the water shimmers with rainbow hues. Inside the pavilion is painted a traditional Chinese Bagua (Eight Trigrams) design, symbolizing harmony between yin and yang and a time of peace and prosperity. The pavilion walls are adorned with carefully painted portraits of six notable historical figures from Gushi: Sun Shu’ao, the Chu prime minister who developed water conservancy projects; Li Tong, who was granted a noble title; Chen Yuanguang, who opened up Zhangzhou; Wang Shenzhi, the King of Min; Zhu Qingpan, the Grand Tutor; and botanist Wu Qirui.

The colorful Feihong Bridge and the Lake Island. In the southeast of North Lake lies a small island, connected to the shore by a grand stone arch bridge. The bridge is bold and imposing, resembling a long rainbow lying on the water—hence its name, Feihong Bridge (built in April 1998). On the island is the uniquely designed “Shuiyunxuan” restaurant, offering a variety of dishes, making it an ideal spot for visitors to rest, dine, or enjoy a drink.

The Rose Garden and the Peony Pavilion with its upturned eaves. The Rose Garden is located in the southeastern part of the park, covering an area of about 10 acres, and is designed in a circular layout divided into three rings, separated by small stone paths. At the center of the garden stands the Peony Pavilion, which has upturned eaves and covers a construction area of about 40 square meters, standing approximately 8 meters tall. This classical-style pavilion is supported by six pillars, with its roof covered in yellow glazed tiles and its winged corners reaching high, gleaming golden. The hexagonal pavilion has entrances on the east and west sides, and two stone benches are placed around its pillars for visitors to rest. Within the first and second rings surrounding the pavilion, over 17,000 rose bushes of more than ten varieties are planted, along with about 500 peony plants of five varieties. Along the paths of the rings are planted Liriope and cypress trees. The third ring is covered with high-quality sheep fescue lawn spanning about 7 acres. In April and May, when roses and peonies are in full bloom—with their reds, yellows, and vibrant colors set against the lush green lawns—the garden attracts many visitors for sightseeing and leisure.