Guanyin Pond Wetland Park

Guanyin Pond Wetland Park

Guanyin Pond Wetland Park is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Guanyin Pond Wetland Park is located in Bishan District, Chongqing, China. It is the city’s first national-level wetland park and a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. The park features nine ancient-style buildings, primarily constructed with traditional East Sichuan wooden architecture.

The park also features uniquely painted pavilions, towers, and gazebos, named after the “Eight Scenic Spots of Bishan” such as “Maolai Fairyland,” “Cool Umbrella Clouds,” and “Tiger Bee Traces.” Notably, a reconstructed Zhuangyuan Bridge (Number One Scholar Bridge) is located within the park, displaying calligraphy and paintings by master artists, as well as poems and verses reflecting Bishan’s history. “Walking across the Zhuangyuan Bridge allows visitors to sense the profound historical and cultural heritage of Bishan, which spans over 1,200 years.”

At 9:30 a.m. on September 28, 2011, light rain was falling. Despite the weather, tens of thousands of citizens had gathered at the park entrance, waiting for its opening. According to reports, the park has three eco-friendly parking lots, three star-rated restrooms, and five bridges. A high-altitude suspension bridge adds an exciting atmosphere to the park, while a 30-meter-high cascading waterfall brings dynamic energy. Walking around the entire park takes at least 1.5 hours at the fastest pace.

The park has planted 677 plant species, including 385 aquatic plants and 292 terrestrial plants, setting a new record for the number of plant varieties in a urban wetland park in China. Most of these plants are native to China, but some rare species from eight other countries—including Japan, the Netherlands, the United States, New Zealand, Mexico, and Australia—are also present, such as purple thalia, yellow water irises, mare’s tail pondweed, and papyrus.

The park has introduced over 20 species of aquatic animals such as fish, frogs, and toads to make their home here, and has also attracted more than 30 species of wild birds, including egrets, turtle doves, and mandarin ducks.

The laser music fountain, covering an area of 21,000 square meters, has become the most popular gathering spot in the park. Water jets that sway gracefully to music and can reach heights of up to 68 meters have become a major visual highlight for visitors.

It is reported that Guanyin Pond Wetland Park can accommodate up to 100,000 visitors at the same time, and all facilities in the park are free to access. Currently, there are three routes to reach the park: the first via the Qinggang exit on the Chengdu-Chongqing Expressway, the second via the Dalu exit on the Chongqing-Suining Expressway, and the third by traveling from Shapingba through the University Town Tunnel directly.