Jiannanchun Forest Park

Jiannanchun Forest Park

If you fly over the northwestern part of the Chengdu Plain, looking out the airplane window, you’ll see what looks like a verdant ribbon stretching along the path of the ancient Shiting River. This green belt is the Jiannanchun Forest Park (also known as the China-Japan Friendship Forest).

Covering an area of more than two thousand acres, the Jiannanchun Forest Park is an international afforestation project jointly created by the people of both China and Japan to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the sister-province relationship between the Sichuan Provincial Government and Japan’s Shimane Prefecture. It embodies the friendship between the two provinces and counties, as well as the goodwill and shared effort of the tree planters from both nations.

After nearly five years of development, it has taken initial shape as a site featuring fast-growing woodlands, natural lakes, wild turf, water channels, roads, tree-planting memorial parks, green walls, and river beach swimming pools. It also includes facilities for fishing and leisure. The area has begun to develop the character of the largest nature-based sightseeing zone on the Chengdu Plain, integrating trees, water, vegetation, birds, and small animals. With time and continued development, it will undoubtedly become a prime destination for those seeking to reconnect with nature, as well as a popular weekend getaway for residents of Chengdu, Deyang, Shifang, and Mianzhu. In recent years, Jiannanchun Group has invested heavily in constructing the scenic area. In July 1997, they completed the largest inland-style sandy spring swimming venue in China at that time, covering 80,000 square meters. It uses spring water as its source, with gravity-fed circulation. The entire swimming venue is designed in the shape of a giant footprint, with its five toes representing five swimming pools of varying depths for children—hence named “The Immortal’s Footprint.” There is a small island with a diving platform in the pool, and the poolside is furnished with gently sloped sandy beaches to create an artificial beach, suitable for sunbathing and various sports such as beach volleyball. Not far from the pool stands a 17-meter-high hill covered with shrubs and flowers. Atop the hill sits an observation pavilion, where visitors can get a panoramic view of all the swimming pool facilities. Surrounding the pool, various supporting buildings and amenities have been built in phases, such as bars, water bars, oxygen bars, dining and entertainment spaces, accommodation, and conference centers.

In addition, the nearly one million square meter natural woodland area—which has begun to take shape—is being gradually improved and utilized. This area will host a diverse collection of trees, plants, birds, and small animals coexisting and reproducing naturally, and will further evolve into a forest maze. A 6-kilometer water circulation pathway has been constructed around the forested area, allowing visitors to take boat rides along the waterways to tour and admire the scenery.

The International Friendship Forest also offers a paid service for planting commemorative trees. Dignitaries and guests from both China and abroad have planted new wedding trees, birthday trees, golden jubilee trees, and other friendship trees. Each planted tree is marked with a commemorative stone tablet engraved with its dedication, and a management archive is established. Every year, photographs showing the growth condition of the trees are sent out, including data on tree diameter and crown size.

According to the park’s plans, a large area of flower and fruit gardens will be developed. Centered around Japanese peaches and incorporating a variety of fruit tree species from the Sichuan Plain, the garden will feature small themed landscapes for visitors to enjoy flowers and fruits throughout the four seasons.