Shuigang Bijia Mountain Park

Shuigang Bijia Mountain Park

Located in the central area of the Shuicheng Iron and Steel Group Company plant, it is 6 kilometers from the Zhongshan District Government. In the middle of the plant rises a high mountain, with three peaks at the top connected together, resembling a penholder—hence the name Bijia (Penholder) Mountain. The park is built against the mountain, covering a total area of 120,000 square meters, with 1,300 acres of artificially planted forests and over 100 varieties of plants. From the foot to the mid-slope of the mountain, the area is covered with lush green trees, and pavilions, terraces, towers, and attics are tucked away in the shade. These structures are exquisitely crafted, with painted beams and carved rafters, shining brilliantly amidst the greenery—especially the pavilions at the mountaintop, which are even more majestic. Several stone stairways wind through the park, leading up to the peaks of Bijia Mountain. Among the green woods and pavilions are numerous flower beds cultivating a variety of precious flowers and trees. The entire park has 13 scenic areas. At the entrance, there is a garden gate archway leading to the “Welcome Bridge,” at the head of which stands a statue of a steelworker—majestic and simple. To the left is a children’s playground equipped with various amusement facilities. To the front right is a newly built musical fountain, with flower-lined paths leading to the “Emerald Corridor.” Halfway up the mountain is the “Garden within the Garden,” with an inscription on its gate: “Birds fly beyond the ridge, flowers are enjoyed within the garden.” Further up is the only zoo in Liupanshui City, home to lions, tigers, bears, deer, baboons, yellow monkeys, black-leaf monkeys, peacocks, black-necked cranes, camels, and more. Ahead is the “Penglai Pavilion,” where one can lean on the railing to overlook the sea of greenery and gaze into the distance at the misty mountains. In the mountain hollow is the “Breeze Pavilion,” where one can enjoy the cool breeze and take a rest. At the top of the main peak is the “Panorama Pavilion.” Perched on a steep peak and a towering structure, it offers views of the landscape of the Shuicheng basin and the entire urban area, with thousands of surrounding mountains embracing the view, distant ridges faintly visible. One can also have a bird’s-eye view of the entire Shuigang plant: surrounded by surrounding peaks, the plant area is encased in an oval basin. Amidst the clusters of hills and along the foothills, factories stand in great numbers, high-rises are lined up, and buildings are spread out. Furnace fires glow red, molten iron splashes, white smoke rises like dragons, factory roads crisscross, tree-lined paths provide shade, and vehicles move busily—thus offering a thriving view of the “Ten-Li Steel City.”

Shuigang Bijia Mountain Park was initially built in the 1980s. In 2000, Shuigang expanded and renovated the park, adding a central garden on the original basis. With novel and bright lighting facilities, flat green lawns, and a wide green visibility rate, it provides visitors with an extremely comfortable leisure and entertainment space. In August 2006, another renovation was carried out, installing fashionable musical fountains, building protective walls, placing fresh flowers, and planting osmanthus, red magnolia, hibiscus, and violets. The paths leading up the mountain were widened and leveled, and anti-slip bluestone slabs were laid on the main roads. The old lamp poles in the central garden were removed and replaced with magnificent plaza lights, tower lights, and large red Chinese lanterns. Over ten thousand pots of fresh flowers and potted plants were purchased to create two large flower stands in the central garden, transforming the Garden within the Garden into an exhibition area for premium potted plants and flowers. The park has thus become a comprehensive destination where visitors can enjoy flowers by day and lights by night.