Shashi Longevity Park

Shashi Longevity Park

Shashi Longevity Park is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Longevity Park is situated by the ancient Guanyin Jetty on the Jingjiang River Levee in Shashi District, Jingzhou City. It draws visitors from around the world with the "First Jetty on the Yangtze River" — Guanyin Jetty, dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty, and the Longevity Pagoda, built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. Embraced by the river on three sides, the park spans over 16,000 square meters. Its architecture is designed in the style of the Ming Dynasty, featuring an elegant, refined, and exquisitely delicate aesthetic, making it a perfect destination for leisure and sightseeing.

The "Longevity Pagoda" was built during the Jiajing era. Constructed from brick and stone, it has eight sides and seven levels, standing over 40 meters tall. Each level of the pagoda’s outer wall is adorned with 87 white marble Buddha statues, while the top features a bronze-gilded spire inscribed with the full text of the Diamond Sutra.

Guanyin Jetty, also known as "Elephant Trunk Jetty," was built during the Southern Song Dynasty. It earned its name from the Guanyin Temple constructed on the jetty, and over the centuries, it has played a crucial role in reducing the dangers of the Jingjiang River. It is also an ideal spot for river viewing. Standing at the jetty, you can gaze into the distance where the river blends seamlessly with the sky. As you enter the park gate, tree-lined paths welcome you, and at the center of the flower bed stands a uniquely shaped Taihu rock, lush and green, greeting visitors. Passing the flower bed and entering the second gate, “Shouyuan” (Longevity Garden), with its flying eaves and upturned roof corners, you’ll encounter the exquisitely carved “Four Dragons Wall,” where four auspicious dragons are depicted soaring and swirling through clouds, appearing and disappearing vividly. Walking along a small path paved with blue bricks, flanked by bamboo groves and dense woods, you’ll suddenly find yourself in a wide-open space where the majestic Longevity Pagoda rises proudly against the vast sky, piercing the clouds. The pagoda, with its eight sides and seven levels, stands 40.76 meters tall and houses 87 white marble Buddha statues, 102 stone tablets, and 2,347 carved brick reliefs. The carvings depict birds, flowers, animals, figures, and calligraphy, all rendered with unique expressions and lifelike detail. The brick carvings, in particular, are considered masterpieces of technique and creativity, unparalleled in the Jingchu region. Climbing the pagoda offers sweeping views: to the south, the surging river; to the north, the new city skyline; to the east, the rising sun; and to the west, the ancient city of the Three Kingdoms — a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight that refreshes the mind and spirit. Even more uniquely, due to the gradual rise of the Jingjiang Riverbed and the continuous reinforcement of the levee, the base of the pagoda is now partially buried, making it appear as if it has emerged from a crack in the earth, forming a distinctive underground pagoda. Furthermore, hundreds of calligraphy and painting stones from ancient and modern masters are displayed around the pagoda, adding a layer of classical charm to its cultural landscape. Viewing the pagoda and appreciating the inscriptions brings a special kind of joy and a unique experience.

After resting amidst the lush and dense metasequoia forest, head south to the ancient Guanyin Jetty, known as the "First Jetty on the Yangtze River." Originally built during the Chunyou era of the Southern Song Dynasty as an earthen jetty, it was reconstructed with stone during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty. Named after the Guanyin Temple on the jetty, it is also called "Elephant Trunk Jetty" due to its shape, which resembles an elephant’s trunk as it extends into the fierce river currents. During peak floods of the Yangtze, the jetty helps divert the water flow, protecting the Jingjiang Levee. For centuries, it has played a vital role in mitigating the dangers of the river. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it became a key focus of flood control efforts on the Jingjiang Levee. Party and government leaders have inspected the site and given important directives. Today, the restored jetty features a plaza of about 1,000 square meters, offering another excellent vantage point for river viewing. Standing here, you can admire the endless expanse where the river meets the sky. During flood season, the thunderous roar of the waves and the sight of rushing water from the horizon create a spectacle as thrilling as watching the tides at Qiantang, both awe-inspiring and magnificent.

Leaving the imposing Guanyin Jetty and heading west, a pair of white marble stone lions welcome you to the newly built “1998 Flood Fight Heroes Memorial Pavilion.” This pavilion was erected by the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government to commemorate martyrs such as Li Xiangqun, who sacrificed their lives in the battle against the catastrophic floods of 1998. Walking along the pathway through the green lawn, you’ll find the memorial pavilion, with its ornate beams and painted columns, solemn and dignified. A rectangular wreath of azaleas, red as blood, stands solemnly before the monument. Reading the inscription evokes feelings of reverence, sorrow, admiration, and pride. Your mind may conjure vivid images of the heroic struggles of the Chinese people against the Yangtze’s floods over centuries — an epic tale of courage and inspiration.

Longevity Park is delicately built and serene. The Root Carving and Stone Appreciation Exhibition Hall in the Ancient Guanyin Pavilion showcases artistic masterpieces from across the Jingchu region. The park’s corridors wind along the river, complemented by pavilions, towers, blooming flowers, lush trees, and the ancient pagoda, all blending harmoniously in an elegant and tranquil setting. In early spring, trees sprout new buds and birds sing melodiously; in midsummer, the river breeze brings a refreshing coolness; in late autumn, the fiery foliage and clear skies create a crisp atmosphere; and in winter, snow blankets the landscape in a serene white, offering ever-changing scenery throughout the seasons.

Address: No. 99, Jingdi Road, Shashi District, Jingzhou City, Hubei Province

Recommended visiting time: 2–3 hours

Phone: 0716-8503149

Opening hours:

1. Peak season (February 1 – December 31): Monday to Friday: 08:00–17:00; Saturday to Sunday: 07:30–17:30 2. Off-season (January 1 – January 31): 08:30–16:30