Hongmei Park

　　Hongmei Park is situated in the city center of Changzhou, spanning 37.44 hectares. In August 1959, the municipal government expanded the park on the foundation of Tianning Forest Garden by requisitioning nearly 500 acres of vegetable fields from four production teams in Hongmei Township, which included historic sites such as the Wenbi Pagoda and Hongmei Pavilion. The park was named Hongmei Park and officially opened to visitors in July of the following year.

　　Today’s Hongmei Park boasts lush greenery and flowers blooming all year round, truly a place where “flowers fill the view and fragrance lingers everywhere.” It features rich cultural landscapes, a wide variety of entertainment options, and comprehensive service facilities. As the largest comprehensive park in the Changzhou area, it integrates sightseeing, appreciation, entertainment, dining, and accommodation, receiving over 2 million domestic and international visitors annually.

　　The park is rich in cultural attractions. The Hongmei Pavilion, described as “resembling a fairyland,” features double eaves and flying rafters. Legend has it that Zhang Boduan, the founder of the Southern School of Taoism, once wrote his renowned work “Zhen Yi Pian” (Book of Realization) here. A Changzhou Historical Figures Exhibition Hall is now housed on the premises, showcasing the lives of 44 representative historical figures from Changzhou’s over 2,500-year history through text and images. To the west of the pavilion, the Ancient Chunxuan was once the childhood study place of Qu Qiubai, an early leader of the Party. The 48-meter-tall Wenbi Pagoda, originally built during the Southern Dynasties, is said to be “the literary peak of the region; whenever auspicious light shines from it, it foretells the rise of great scholars.” Surrounding the pagoda are structures such as the Wenbi Tower, Moxiang Pavilion, Inkstone Pool, Brush Rack Hill, and the Zhiyin Boat and Tower Shadow Mountain House, which reflect the ancient tale of high mountains and flowing water bringing soulmates together, as well as a playful reference by Su Dongpo to Monk Qinchan. Other sites include the Banshipavilion commemorating Wang Anshi, the Kasaya Pagoda for Monk Wan’an, and the unique Ice Plum Stone—each with its own fascinating story.

　　The park offers numerous attractions. Its zoo, established in the early 1960s, is home to over 200 nationally protected animals, including first and second-class species, and serves as one of the major breeding bases for clouded leopards in East China. The Bonsai Garden, located west of the Pagoda Garden, showcases the natural and elegant artistry of Changzhou’s bonsai masters, with many works having won awards at city, provincial, and even national competitions. The Rose Garden, north of the Pagoda Garden, displays a dazzling array of roses in full bloom, ranking among the best in the country and serving as a key viewing site for one of China’s five major rose cities. Additionally, the Tuyidao Root Art Museum near the park’s east gate exhibits exquisite root carvings, renowned worldwide with the saying, “Root art originates in China, but the finest pieces are in Changzhou.”

　　The park provides comprehensive recreational facilities. The amusement park features over 20 activities, including go-karts, a haunted house, an elevated monorail, the Amazing World, archery, and whitewater rafting. The boating area offers a variety of electric, pedal, and paddle boats for visitors to enjoy lake cruising. The newly built Hongmei Racing City is another great spot for fun. The large lawn, covering about 5,000 square meters, hosts major events such as flower shows, lantern exhibitions, kite competitions, outdoor movie screenings, and celebratory performances.

　　The park embodies the charm of a water town. Water bodies cover about one-fifth of the park’s area, with waterways extending 2,500 meters in total. There are numerous bridges of diverse styles, including 15 different types—such as winding bridges, arch bridges, flat bridges, and covered bridges—alone at the “Wenbi Sunset” area. Bridge names in the park are elegant and poetic, avoiding clichés, such as Wensi Bridge, Xingju Bridge, Boya Bridge, Cuigai Bridge, Xishuang Bridge, and Sanwu Bridge. Among them, the Yunying Bridge at the northern foot of Brush Rack Hill is the oldest.

　　The park is divided into three zones and eight scenic spots. The three zones are the Cultural Relics Zone, the Entertainment Activities Zone, and the Science Education Zone. The eight scenic spots are: Wenbi Sunset, centered around the Wenbi Pagoda, with Brush Rack Hill and Yunying Bridge to the north, Wenbi Tower, Mengbi Pavilion, Moxiang Pavilion, Stele Corridor, Inkstone Pool, Wensi Bridge, and Xingju Bridge to the east, and Tower Shadow Pool, Bonsai Garden, Tower Shadow Mountain House, Zhiyin Stone Boat, Tower Shadow Pavilion, Zhide Pavilion, Kasaya Pagoda, and Jiaxian Archway to the west. This area, densely packed with classical architecture, is considered the essence of the park. At sunset, it evokes the feeling of “the pagoda understanding visitors’ hearts, capturing a streak of golden sunlight.” Hongmei Spring Dawn centers on the Hongmei Pavilion, with the hill behind the pavilion, the Liberation Pond, Ancient Chunxuan, and One Branch Long Corridor to the north, the Ice Plum Stone and Laojun Platform to the south, and Flower Moon Trace Rockery to the east. Surrounded by red plums and green bamboos, it is especially stunning when the red plums bloom vibrantly in late winter and early spring. Fengqiao Flower Path, north of the Wenbi Pagoda, consists of Phoenix Bridge and the Rose Garden. The garden’s east side features Yanqiu Pavilion and Water Lily Pond, while the west side has Liuchun Pavilion and Phoenix Bridge. Inside, there is Sanjie Corridor. In spring and autumn, blooming roses create a breathtaking spectacle. Quchi Fenghe centers on the lotus pond, with Tiancheng Bridge above it, Tuyidao Root Art Museum to the north, Xuhuai Hall, Tingyu Pavilion, and Furong Pavilion to the west. In summer, the lotuses bloom brilliantly amid fresh greenery, with weeping willows and azaleas adding vibrant colors. Qinglian Reflections, east of Chunhui Tea House, features undulating hills, winding paths, and a 100-meter corridor. At the hilltop stands Banshipavilion, and by the Mirror Plum Lake is Yuedao Fenglai Pavilion. The area is covered with pines, bamboos, red plums, gardenias, and cherry blossoms, creating dappled shadows and rock arrangements. The hilltop Cuiwei Pavilion is surrounded by red maples, which turn vividly red in autumn, echoing the poetic line “frost-kissed leaves redder than February flowers.” Xueshan Jingsong faces Chunhui Tea House across the lake, set on high ground surrounded by water. The area features mainly cedar and wintersweet plants, complemented by Baicheng stones to depict northern scenery. Linyuan Bell Chimes refers to the former Tianning Forest Garden, adjacent to Tianning Temple and surrounded by water on three sides. With ancient trees, small bridges, flowing water, and morning bells and evening drums, it exudes tranquility.

　　To provide visitors with a comfortable and satisfying leisure experience, the Chunhui Tea House, located north of the large lawn, serves as a hub for various hot and cold beverages. The Tingsong Building complex by the western shore of Mirror Plum Lake combines a restaurant, dance hall, tea house, souvenir shop, and guesthouse, allowing out-of-town visitors to stay overnight and enjoy the park’s beautiful night views.

　　“Where flowers bloom, butterflies come naturally.” Anhui Television from Hefei specially came to Changzhou to film multiple scenes of the nine-episode Huangmei Opera musical TV series “Meng Lijun” at Hongmei Park’s Hongmei Pavilion, Bonsai Garden, Pagoda Garden, and Yuedao Fenglai Pavilion, offering audiences a delightful artistic experience.

　　Address: No. 1, Luohan Road, Tianning District, Changzhou

　　Type: Urban Park

　　Rating: AAAA

　　Recommended Visit Duration: 2–3 hours

　　Phone: 0519-88108020

　　Official Website: http://www.redplumpark.com/

　　Opening Hours:

　　Open all day

　　Ticket Information:

　　Free admission.