Mangniu River Historical and Cultural Park

Mangniu River Historical and Cultural Park

The Mangniu River Historical and Cultural Park in Bazhou City is located in the eastern part of the urban area and will serve as the center of Bazhou’s future new urban district. It consists of the Mangniu River Strip Park and Mangniu Lake, with a planned total area of 137.52 hectares and a total project investment of 200 million yuan. The Mangniu River Strip Park stretches from Yingbin Avenue in the north to Jianshe Avenue in the south, with a planned land area of 33.92 hectares. It features sites from the ancient Bazhou “Eight Scenic Views of Yijin,” including Northern Tower Mountain Scenery, Batai Morning Sun, Old Dike Evening Ferry, as well as ancient war tunnels from the Song Dynasty, landscape bridges, and waterfront platforms.

The Northern Tower Mountain Scenery and Yijin Pass cover an area of 3,690 square meters and are located at the main entrance of the northern end of the Mangniu River Strip Park. They consist of a city gate tower, an arrow tower, and a barbican. The main tower has a construction area of 642 square meters, is 24.59 meters tall, the arrow tower is 15.51 meters tall, and the city wall is 7.9 meters high. The architecture reflects the typical style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The surrounding area includes a series of green spaces and squares for recreational, leisure, and fitness activities for residents.

The Batai Morning Sun Scenery and the Pointing Generals’ Platform are situated in the central section of the entire strip park. Their architectural forms have been restored to their original size and appearance based on historical records, covering an area of 1,296 square meters with a construction area of 725 square meters. The platform is 6.5 meters high, and a two-story pavilion has been reconstructed atop it. Standing on the pavilion, one can enjoy the view of the rising sun bursting forth brilliantly, hence the name “Batai Morning Sun.”

The Old Dike Evening Ferry Scenery is located to the east of Batai Morning Sun, nestled by the river. The quaint riverside commercial port along the dike and the willow-lined pier inside offer visitors and locals a uniquely interesting experience for boat rides through the park. The Song Dynasty Ancient War Tunnel Scenic Area spans over 500 meters in length and is located on the eastern side of the Mangniu River. It serves as an important link between Yijin Pass and the Pointing Generals’ Platform and is a microcosm of Bazhou’s frontier culture.

The ancient war tunnel features a unique structure and complex terrain, with varying heights and widths, twisting and turning paths, and mostly right-angle turns, with some serpent-like sections. Inside the tunnel, there are both spacious and practical troop hiding chambers, bewildering maze-like tunnels, as well as military facilities such as trap doors, peepholes, bunkers, lamp placements, strategy rooms, and grain storage areas. The entire war tunnel system served the functions of concealing and transporting troops, rapidly transmitting intelligence, and effectively utilizing “acoustics” to monitor enemy movements. It vividly showcases the depth and antiquity of Bazhou’s ancient military culture and can be regarded as the “Underground Great Wall” in military history.

Mangniu Lake is located to the east of the Mangniu River Strip Park, with a planned land area of 103.6 hectares. It comprises scenic spots from the “Eight Scenic Views of Yijin,” including Autumn Waves at Yuankou, Spring Birds along the Salt River, Misty Willow Rings around the City, Lotus Waves in Tangdian, and the Ripples of Dongmiao Temple. Together with the strip park, it presents Bazhou’s water culture, frontier culture, and market culture, showcasing the city’s historical and natural landscape. It reflects the evolutionary process by which the people have created, written, and propelled history, forming a strong foundation and root system for Bazhou’s future development.

Transportation Guide

Scenic Area Address: East of Yingbin Avenue, Bazhou City, Hebei Province

Transit Routes: Within Bazhou City, you can take bus routes 3, 4, 5, etc., get off at the Municipal Government stop, and then walk east along Yingbin Avenue to reach the Mangniu River.