Yuexiu Park

Yuexiu Park

Yuexiu Park is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a patriotic education base.

Yuexiu Mountain got its name from the "Chao Han Platform" built on the mountain during the Western Han Dynasty by Zhao Tuo, the King of Nanyue. A Guanyin Pavilion was also constructed here, hence the mountain is also known as Guanyin Mountain. The famous historical site Zhenhai Tower, also called Five-Story Tower, has five floors and is 28 meters high. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of the beautiful city of Guangzhou. The park also features ancient sites such as Chuci of the past and the Foshan Archway, ancient city walls, the Square Battery, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Monument, the Monument to Sun Yat-sen’s Study and Work, the Tomb of Wu Tingfang, the Tomb of the Emperor and Ministers of the Ming Shao Wu regime, the Sailors' Pavilion, the Five Rams Stone Sculpture, the Five Rams Legend Sculpture Group, the Spherical Water Tower, the TV Tower, and more. Since the Yuan Dynasty, it has been known as one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yangcheng — in the Yuan Dynasty it was called "Moon over Yue Platform in Autumn," in the Ming Dynasty "Pine Waves on Yuexiu Mountain," in the Qing Dynasty "Connected Peaks of Yuexiu" and "Layered Towers of Zhenhai," and in modern times "Distant View of Yuexiu," "Layered Towers of Yuexiu," and "New Radiance of Yuexiu."

Yuexiu Park (Yuexiu Park), also called Yuexiu Mountain, got its name from the "Chao Han Platform" built on the mountain during the Western Han Dynasty by Zhao Tuo, the King of Nanyue. A Guanyin Pavilion was also constructed here, hence the mountain is also known as Guanyin Mountain. The famous historical site Zhenhai Tower, also called Five-Story Tower, has five floors and is 28 meters high. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of the beautiful city of Guangzhou. The park also features ancient sites such as Chuci of the past and the Foshan Archway, ancient city walls, the Square Battery, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Monument, the Monument to Sun Yat-sen’s Study and Work, the Tomb of Wu Tingfang, the Tomb of the Emperor and Ministers of the Ming Shao Wu regime, the Sailors' Pavilion, the Five Rams Stone Sculpture, the Five Rams Legend Sculpture Group, the Spherical Water Tower, the TV Tower, and more. Since the Yuan Dynasty, it has been known as one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yangcheng — in the Yuan Dynasty it was called "Moon over Yue Platform in Autumn," in the Ming Dynasty "Pine Waves on Yuexiu Mountain," in the Qing Dynasty "Connected Peaks of Yuexiu" and "Layered Towers of Zhenhai," and in modern times "Distant View of Yuexiu," "Layered Towers of Yuexiu," and "New Radiance of Yuexiu."

The park contains three man-made lakes: Dongxiu Lake, Nanxiu Lake, and Beixiu Lake. Dongxiu Lake and Nanxiu Lake, with their beautiful scenery, are great spots for painting, sketching, and fishing. Near Dongxiu Lake, there are recreational venues such as a children's playground, barbecue area, and Jianlibao Fitness Park. Nanxiu Lake features a large lawn covering 5,000 square meters. Beixiu Lake, shaded by green trees, is perfect for boating enthusiasts. To the east of the lake lies the Chinese Idiom and Fable Garden, a grand exhibit of fables and idioms. To the south is the Nanxiu Flower Garden, designed mainly with plants and featuring distinct layers and vibrant colors. To the north are the Round Battery and a senior activity area, ideal for the elderly to exercise. There is also a Flower Pavilion, an island in the lake, and the Jinyuan Garden near Beixiu Lake. Yuexiu Park hosts a large-scale garden expo every year.

The Golden Seal Amusement Park is a great place for teenagers. The Taju Garden within the park combines knowledge, fun, participation, and sightseeing. Other attractions include a rotating swing, mermaid ride, self-controlled airplane, bumper cars, forest hunting game, and a game room. At Qianyi Pottery Garden, you can unleash your creativity and make art by hand.

To the south of the park is a stadium that can accommodate over 30,000 spectators, and to the west is a swimming pool that holds 5,000. On the Lion Head Hill, fragrant flowers fill the air. The lawn bowling field boasts lush green grass, and the open plaza offers sports facilities such as a gym, outdoor badminton courts, table tennis courts, basketball courts, and an open-air dance floor.

The remaining sections of the Ming Dynasty city wall on Yuexiu Mountain total 1,137 meters in length. Except for the section near Zhenhai Tower, the rest are ruins no higher than 10 meters, varying in height, with other related structures completely gone. In 1987, 180 meters of the wall behind Zhenhai Tower, including sections on the east and west sides, were restored. In 1989, an additional 20 meters to the east were repaired, bringing the total to 200 meters of fully restored crenellated wall, returning it to its former glory.

The ancient city wall of Ming Dynasty Guangzhou is located on Yuexiu Mountain in Guangzhou. In the 13th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1380), Marquis Yongjia Zhu Liangzu unified the three cities of Guangzhou from the Song Dynasty and expanded them northward, extending over to Yuexiu Mountain, historically referred to as the Old City. According to the Guangdong General Annals by Huang Zuo of the Ming Dynasty, at that time, Guangzhou's city wall was "3,796 zhang in circumference and two zhang in height," featuring city gates, gate towers, watchtowers, and guard posts. "In the 13th year of the Chongzhen reign (1640), the northern city was expanded, raising the wall by seven chi, thickening the foundation, and adding steps every twenty zhang for easier access up and down the wall."

The Tomb of Wu Tingfang is located to the east of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Monument on Yuexiu Mountain. Wu Tingfang was a modern Chinese diplomat who served as Minister of Justice, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Acting Premier. Wu Chaoshu, his son, also held positions such as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Governor of Guangdong Province. In front of the two tombs is a pavilion housing a stele inscribed with the eulogy for Wu Tingfang, written by Sun Yat-sen. To the northeast of the tomb stands a bronze statue of Wu Tingfang.

The four characters "古之楚庭" (Ancient Chuti) are engraved in clerical script on a stone archway. It was built during the Qing Dynasty. "Chuti" is the earliest known name for Guangzhou, used slightly after Zhu Liangzu of the early Ming Dynasty built the Five-Story Tower. Commander Hua Ying built the Yushan Tower and Guanyin Pavilion on Yuejing Hill. The Yushan Tower no longer exists, and the Guanyin Pavilion has long been in ruins. The current "Foshan" stone archway area on Yuejing Hill is the former site of the Guanyin Pavilion.

Based on an ancient legend, a Five Rams sculpture was erected on Yuexiu Mountain in 1959. This granite sculpture, including its base, is 11 meters tall, carved from over 130 granite blocks, with a volume of about 53 cubic meters. Just the stone for one ram’s head weighs over 2 tons. The five rams vary in size — the mother ram looks up into the distance, mouth holding a rice ear, seemingly smiling back at the world. The other four rams surround her, playfully nestled close, some frolicking, grazing, or suckling. Their poses differ elegantly, the craftsmanship exquisite and full of charm.

The Five Rams Sculpture is located in Yuexiu Park. It comes with a beautiful legend: five immortals dressed in five-colored robes rode five-colored rams from the South Sea, descending upon Guangzhou. Each ram carried rice ears with six grains. The immortals gave the grains to the locals, blessing them with everlasting abundance, then ascended to the heavens. The rams turned to stone. Hence, Guangzhou is also known as the "City of Rams" and "City of Grain Ears."

The Monument to Sun Yat-sen’s Study and Work is situated halfway up the Hundred Steps Staircase on the southern side of Yuexiu Mountain. Built in 1930, it faces south with its back to the north. The monument is approximately 5.5 meters tall with a base of 2.28 meters, shaped like a square column with a pointed top. The base is 6.2 meters wide and 0.76 meters high, with five steps at the front. The structure is made of reinforced concrete with a stone finish.

This crimson-red building is Zhenhai Tower, a striking cultural landmark in Guangzhou’s history, hailed as the premier scenic wonder of Lingnan. It earned the name "Five-Story Tower" due to its five floors. Constructed in the 13th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1380) by Marquis Yongjia Zhu Liangzu, it was initially named "Wanghai Tower" (Sea-Watching Tower) before being renamed "Zhenhai Tower" (Sea-Calming Tower), symbolizing the power to subdue the seas. In 1956, it was converted into the Guangzhou Museum.

The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Monument was built to commemorate the great democratic revolutionary Dr. Sun Yat-sen. It is located atop Guanyin Hill and can be reached by climbing the 498 steps of the "Hundred Steps Staircase." The monument was constructed in 1929 and designed by the renowned architect Lü Yanzhi. Entirely built from granite, it stands 37 meters tall with a square base that tapers to a point. Inside, a spiral staircase leads to the top. The first and second levels have railings offering views on all sides. Higher levels have windows for further vistas. The upper part of the base features 26 stone-carved ram heads, symbolizing the City of Rams.

Address: No. 988 Jiefang North Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

Type: Urban Park, Lake, Museum

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 2–5 hours

Phone: 020-86661950

Official Website: http://www.gzyuexiupark.com/sy.asp

Opening Hours: 7:00–22:00

Ticket Information: Free admission

Transportation: Buses 5, 6, 10, 21, 24, 33, 58, 63, 101, 122, 127 to Yuexiu Park Station; or take Metro Line 2 to Yuexiu Park Station, exit at B1, then walk about a few dozen meters in the opposite direction to reach the main gate.

Address: No. 988 Jiefang North Road

Guangzhou Zhenhai Tower (Guangzhou Museum)

Five Rams Stone Sculpture

Guangzhou Zhongshan Monument

Ming Dynasty City Wall in Guangzhou

Tomb of Wu Tingfang

Yuexiu Mountain Water Tower

Ruins of Sifang Battery

Tomb of the Shaowu Emperor and His Ministers

Ancient Chuci Archway