Yellow River Cultural Park

Yellow River Cultural Park

The Yellow River Cultural Park complements the Yellow River Tower, together forming an excellent platform for showcasing Yellow River culture.

The Yellow River Cultural Park is located to the east of the Yellow River Tower, covering an area of 1,636 acres. It consists of 10 themed gardens: the Mother of the Yellow River Garden, the Calligraphy Garden, the Loyalty and Righteousness Garden, the Filial Piety Garden, the Hundred Schools of Thought Garden, the History Garden, the Family Values Garden, the Literature Garden, the Art Garden, and the Yellow River Exotic Stones Garden.

I. Mother of the Yellow River Garden

The centerpiece of the Mother of the Yellow River Garden is the "Mother of the Yellow River Sculpture." Standing 36 meters tall, the statue is double-faced, catering to viewers' perspectives from different angles.

The design of the Mother of the Yellow River features hair swept up atop her head, forming a halo that adds a divine aura to the sculpture. Instead of clothing, flowing water drapes her entire figure from top to bottom, evoking the image of the Yellow River descending from the heavens. One hand holds a sheaf of wheat, symbolizing agriculture, while the other cradles bamboo slips, representing culture—both embodying the agrarian roots of Yellow River civilization. With arms outstretched in a welcoming embrace, the sculpture conveys the boundless generosity of the Mother of the Yellow River. The surging waves at the base signify the enduring and flourishing legacy of Yellow River culture. Overall, the statue presents a beautiful, benevolent, simple, and majestic image—a personification of truth, goodness, and beauty—that also embodies an uplifting, soaring spirit.

II. Calligraphy Garden

The Calligraphy Garden consists of four main sections: the Cangjie Creating Characters relief, the Evolution of Chinese Characters, Idiom Stories, and Word Puzzle Stories.

The Cangjie Creating Characters section illustrates the formation and development of Chinese characters, while the Evolution of Chinese Characters traces their progression from pictographs to oracle bone script, then to large seal, small seal, regular script, and finally Wei stele script.

III. Loyalty and Righteousness Garden

The Loyalty and Righteousness Garden highlights the Confucian "Five Constants": Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, and Trustworthiness.

These "Five Constants" run through the development of Chinese ethics and morality, representing the core values of the Chinese value system. The formation of the Confucian Five Constants took a long time. Initially, Confucius proposed Benevolence, Righteousness, and Propriety; Mencius expanded this to include Wisdom, making it Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, and Wisdom; and Dong Zhongshu further added Trustworthiness, completing the Five Constants. After Trustworthiness was incorporated by Dong Zhongshu, the Five Constants were formally established, described as eternal principles governing heaven and earth.

IV. Filial Piety Garden

Among all virtues, filial piety comes first; it is the root of all good deeds.

The Filial Piety Garden is divided into three parts: the Classic of Filial Piety, Songs Promoting Filial Piety, and the Twenty-Four Paragons of Filial Piety.

V. Hundred Schools of Thought Garden

The main sculptures in the Hundred Schools of Thought Garden are "Confucius Teaching" and "Laozi Leaving the Pass." The "Confucius Teaching" sculpture is based on the historical account of Confucius teaching under the apricot tree. The "Laozi Leaving the Pass" sculpture is inspired by the legend of Laozi departing Luoyang over two thousand years ago and exiting the Hangu Pass heading west. On either side of these two central figures are depictions of other ancient philosophers—such as Mencius, Mozi, Xunzi, Zhuangzi, Lie Yukou, Han Feizi, Sun Wu, and Sun Bin—showcasing their lives and contributions to Chinese civilization.

VI. History Garden

The History Garden includes key sculptures of Sima Qian and Sima Guang, along with representations of the Twenty-Four Histories, the Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government (Zizhi Tongjian), the General Examination of Literature (Wenxian Tongkao), the Comprehensive Records (Tongzhi), and the Comprehensive Institutions (Tongdian). The front side of the main sculpture depicts Sima Qian and his Records of the Grand Historian, while the back features Sima Guang and the Zizhi Tongjian. “Using bronze as a mirror helps one adjust one’s attire; using history as a mirror helps one understand the rise and fall of dynasties; using others as a mirror helps one discern gains and losses; using history as a guide helps one comprehend the patterns of change.” This reflects the purpose of building the History Garden.

VII. Family Values Garden

Also known as the Enlightenment Garden, the space portrays the main content and forms of traditional education in China, aiming to evoke emotion and reflection through its scenes.

VIII. Literature Garden

In traditional Chinese culture, literature is one of the most vital components. It is commonly summarized as “The Book of Songs, Chu Ci poetry, Han fu rhapsodies, Tang poetry, Song ci lyrics, Yuan opera, and Ming-Qing novels.” Since the origins of Chu Ci are in Hunan and Hubei—not within the Yellow River basin—we focus on “The Book of Songs, Han fu rhapsodies, Tang poetry, Song ci lyrics, Yuan opera, and Ming-Qing novels” to represent the theme of the Literature Garden.

IX. Art Garden

The traditional Chinese artistic disciplines are often summarized as “Qin (zither), Qi (chess), Shu (calligraphy), and Hua (painting).” In ancient times, playing musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting were essential refined skills for scholars and even young ladies of noble families. As such, these have long been regarded as benchmarks of one’s artistic cultivation and form an important part of traditional Chinese culture. Qin, Qi, Shu, and Hua reflect the civilized nature of ancient Chinese society and serve as artistic vessels of Chinese civilization.

X. Yellow River Exotic Stones Garden

The garden collects and displays a variety of unique stones from the Yellow River basin, showcasing the amazing natural forces of the river.