Cuiping Park

Cuiping Park

Cuiping Park is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Situated at the connection between north and south Guang'an, Cuiping Park in Guang'an spans from Beicang Road near the District People's Hospital in the east to Wencuiyuan Residential Area in the south, West Ring Road in the west, and the northern exit of Hongzhou Tunnel in the north. Covering an area of about 850 acres, the park is developed in two phases. The first phase covers 350 acres featuring six major landscape areas: Colorful Cuiping, Literary Confucian Temple, Leisure Elegance, Cuiyu Flying Clouds, among others, as well as attractions such as the Main Entrance Archway, Fitness Square, Five Hundred Steps, and Celebrity Stele Corridor. The second phase is primarily divided into five zones: "Ancient City Traces", "Primitive Ecological Conservation", "Children’s Playground", "Tea Valley Wellness", and "Mountain Summit Fitness".

The predecessor of Cuiping Park was the foothills of Xiuping Mountain, situated between the Qujiang River and Xixi River. It neighbors Tonglin Ancient Temple and Fenghuang Mountain to the left, and faces Nongtan and Lion Peak to the right, backed by the majestic Dazhai Mountain. It served as the western shield of old Guang'an City. According to the *New Annals of Guang'an Prefecture · Annals of Mountains and Rivers*: “Xiuping Mountain lies to the west of the prefectural seat, with steep cliffs covered in intertwined vines and lush greenery, resembling a protective screen when viewed from afar.” The mountainside bears three large characters “Xiuping Shan” (Xiuping Mountain), inscribed by Yan Zhenqing, the renowned calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty designated this mountain as the site for military governance and ordered the construction of a bell tower. The tower has a hexagonal roof with three levels and a wooden staircase leading up. A giant bell hangs from the rooftop, inscribed with the words “Cast during Emperor Shenzong’s Reign of the Song Dynasty.” Small copper bells hang from each edge of the eaves. When the mountain breeze blows, they tinkle melodiously, like heavenly music that captivates the soul. From the top, one can gaze across to the lofty Kuige Pavilion on Heling Qinglan across the eastern bank of Qujiang River, beholding the full panorama of Guang'an. The entire mountainside is densely forested with lush pines and ancient cypresses standing tall, alongside yellow parasol trees and willows casting dancing shadows. The slopes are covered in wildflowers, and the meadows are carpeted in green—lush and vibrant, earning it the title “Xiuping Green Accumulation” in the *Annals of Guang'an*, ranking as the foremost of Guang'an’s Sixteen Scenic Views.

After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, people engaged in afforestation, flower planting, and grass cultivation, further enriching the verdant beauty of Xiuping Mountain. Later, the county committee decided to build a park on Xiuping Mountain. After hearing the report, Comrade Deng Xiaoping was delighted and, on December 25, 1982, enthusiastically inscribed four elegant and powerful characters: “Cuiping Park” (Cuiping Gongyuan), adding even more radiance to Xiuping Mountain. Soon after, other veteran revolutionaries such as Ren Baige, Yang Chao, He Haoju, Li Banli, Liu Tianfu, and Hou Fangyue also contributed inscriptions and calligraphy scrolls for “Cuiping Park”, now engraved on the large boulder beside the Immortal Bridge in the park, greatly enhancing its charm. Following the initial completion of Cuiping Park, a winding mountain road stretches from the park entrance to the summit, resembling a white sash coiling around the mountain. With red walls and green tiles nestled among greenery, and pavilions standing tall amidst blooming flowers, the park’s scenery is exquisitely crafted: whether it’s “the secluded path” (DuJing XunYou), “the little bridge over flowing water” (XiaoQiao LiuShui), “viewing boats on the canal” (WangQu ShuFan), “moon over the water tower” (ShuiTa XiaoYue), or “sunset over the bell tower” (ZhongLou XiZhao)—each scene has its own charm yet blends seamlessly into a captivating whole, which makes visitors linger with no desire to leave. Ren Baige once composed a poem after his visit: “Guang'an’s landscapes are fair, but Cuiping stands the best; bamboo and wood shade in layers, gardens whisper in every nook. Flowers bloom and birds sing in rivalry, tourists gaze in awe regardless of season or time.”

After more than 30 years of weathering and many years without maintenance, Cuiping Park had become rundown and dilapidated, with few visitors. Its decline and gradual oblivion attracted attention from all walks of life. Media reporters called for action, and deputies to the Guang'an municipal district People’s Congress and members of the CPPCC put forth suggestions for upgrading and renovating the park. Deputy Liu Yan proposed suggestions for three consecutive years, and CPPCC member Li Changlong also voiced appeals multiple times at municipal and district CPPCC meetings. The district People’s Congress and CPPCC even compiled special investigative reports submitted to municipal and district party and government authorities. However, due to the enormous project costs, the weak financial capacity of Guang'an District, and challenges in demolition, the plan failed to pass and was temporarily shelved.

In early 2013, the Guang'an District Party Committee held multiple standing committee meetings to conduct special studies. Overcoming objections, the decision was made to incorporate public feedback, contribute to gratitude-driven development, and spare no effort in renovating and upgrading Cuiping Park. A construction plan with an investment of 400 million yuan was formulated. After approval, renovation officially commenced in early March of the same year.

Today’s Cuiping Park has shed its old appearance and taken on a new look, attracting visitors from all over.