Yuzhao Park

Yuzhao Park

Yuzhao Park is situated in the city center of Lucheng and was created from a small island in the Donghe River that runs through the city. It neighbors the Longshan Scenic Area and is a beautiful river peninsula park. The park offers numerous recreational facilities and boasts pleasant scenery, with attractions including an arch bridge, a zigzag bridge, and rockeries adorned with fountains. Under the Yuzhao Arch Bridge lies a vast area of lotus and water lilies. In spring and summer, the water surface turns a lush green, with fish playfully splashing about and creating ripples... White, pink, and purplish-red lotus flowers bloom—some in bud, others in full blossom. Being surrounded by this sea of lotuses stirs the imagination: over thousands of years, countless poets have expressed their emotions through verses dedicated to the lotus, and many master painters have captured its beauty with their brushes... The lotus symbolizes purity and noble character. As a naturally formed riverside scenic spot, the lotus landscape is both timeless and refreshing.

The park adopts a garden-style design, featuring areas for flower and plant viewing, local snack zones, and man-made scenic spots. During the day, sunlight, clear green water, and curved bridges offer a serene experience amidst the bustling city. When night falls, the park lights up with sparkling lamps, attracting both visitors and locals of all ages. They either take boat rides along the Donghe River to admire the city’s nighttime scenery or leisurely sample Lufeng’s local snacks. Couples often stroll hand-in-hand, whispering sweet nothings. For local residents, Yuzhao Park is an ideal place for relaxation and leisure, while for tourists, it serves as a wonderful spot to experience the green ecology and local culture of a coastal city.

Yuzhao Park borders Longshan Mountain to the east and connects to Yingxian Bridge to the south. Two of the “Eight Ancient Scenic Spots of Lufeng”—“Mist-Shrouded Trees of Longshan” and “Moonlit Night at Immortal Bridge”—are located here. An ancient poem describes “Mist-Shrouded Trees of Longshan” as follows: “Nurturing people and planting trees, it leaves behind a thousand-fold shade. Osmanthus on the peaks exudes fragrance far and wide, while pines on the slopes echo with lingering charm. Dragons yearn to rise each year, yet clouds temporarily veil them. I send this message to today’s master builders: you are nurturing pillars of society.” The entire poem vividly portrays the lush pine-covered Longshan Academy, brimming with vitality, while subtly highlighting how the academy cultivates talent for the nation and society within its poetic imagery. The poem “Moonlit Night at Immortal Bridge” reads: “Walking the long bridge under moonlight at night, the bright view clears the distant gaze. Rainbow-hued light reaches near the suburbs, and pearl-like radiance spills over the open sky. Wind ripples through layers where ice meets, and mist blends with silk-like light floating on the water. A pure heart meets the bright moon, together reflecting in each other’s glow.” Yingxian Bridge was first built in 1254 during the Southern Song Dynasty, in the Baoyou reign period, under the Jiaxu year. Both its piers and deck were constructed from granite slabs. The Donghe River flows through Lucheng, making Yingxian Bridge the only passage connecting the new and old town districts. On moonlit nights, the bridge bustles with people and traffic. The moonlight is especially enchanting, casting shimmering silver reflections across the river’s surface.