Xinyu Bao Shi Park

　　Built in memory of Fu Baoshi, a native of Xinyu and a master of traditional Chinese painting, Bao Shi Park is situated on Longhu Mountain at the western end of Jianshe Road in Xinyu, Jiangxi Province. It is 18 kilometers from Fairy Lake and covers an area of 29.13 hectares. It is China's first park named after an artist and is one of the key cultural facilities in Jiangxi Province. The design and layout of the park aim to reflect the refined artistic style of Fu Baoshi, adhering to the principle of "less but better" to create an elegant atmosphere. It now features the Fu Baoshi Exhibition Hall, East Gate, South Gate, Qinfeng Tower, Zuibi Tower, Bao Shi Lake, Twin Pavilions Over Water, Waterside Pavilion Contemplating Stone, Winding Corridor at Sunset, Jianshi Pass, Three Laughs Bridge, Hongyu Bridge, Children’s Playground, Yaoyue Pavilion, Liufang Pavilion, Gaofeng Pavilion, Fish Viewing Pond, Flower Nursery House, Yangde Pavilion, Tingtao Pavilion, Chess Pavilion, Blue Sea and Pine Waves, and Art Peak Pagoda, along with a 5,000-meter walking trail. The East Gate archway stands 13.5 meters tall and spans 30 meters wide, featuring a three-bay, four-pillar, seven-story gate tower style. The nameplate on both the front and back of the gate is inscribed with the four golden Chinese characters “Bao Shi Park” (“抱石公园”), written by Zhao Puchu, former Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of the Buddhist Association of China. The four porcelain paintings embedded on the left and right secondary bays on both the front and back depict the seasons — “Spring,” “Summer,” “Autumn,” and “Winter” — and are replicas of masterpieces by Fu Baoshi. The name “Bao Shi Park” on the South Gate archway is written in the handwriting of Wu Zuoren, former Chairman of the China Artists Association and Vice Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Entering from the East Gate and climbing upwards, you will find a small hill with Qinfeng Tower, the highest pavilion in the park. It is a four-eave hip-and-gable-style antique building modeled entirely after Kuixing Pavilion on Hawk-Viewing Mountain. Because of its towering height, this scene is called “Lofty Pavilion Piercing the Clouds.” On the first floor, there are two plaques inscribed with the Chinese characters “Qin Feng” (meaning “Admiring Virtue”) written by Tiexianyu, flanked by the couplet “Think of the virtuous from afar, admire the noble with reverence,” which is the shortest couplet in Xinyu. Exiting Qinfeng Tower and descending northwest, then ascending a gentle slope westward for about ten steps, you will see a double-eave square pavilion on the north side of the path — Erxiang Pavilion. This pavilion is designed based on the artistic conception of Fu Baoshi’s painting “Two Ladies of the Xiang.” Beside the pavilion are round sculptures of Ehuang and Nüying, the wives of Emperor Shun. Erxiang Pavilion stands in the middle of a lotus pond, connected to the shore by a winding small bridge. Its plaque was inscribed by Lai Shaoqi, former Vice Chairman of the China Printmakers Association. The couplet reads: “Fragrant lotus reflects the sun of Yao’s era; Flowing silk brings the consorts of Shun.” As the lotus beside the pavilion emits a rich fragrance in the sunshine, the scene is named “Lotus Reflecting the Sun.” Across from Erxiang Pavilion is a small garden structure — Tongyin Xiaxia (Resting Under Phoenix Trees in Summer). As the name suggests, it is an ideal place to escape the summer heat. The structure uses iron pipes and latticework crafted to resemble bamboo fences, painted green. Inside, there is a flower bed and a two-tiered square pond with rockeries. The innermost section features a reinforced concrete garden building styled like bamboo, with a T-shaped layout. Professor Shen Zuoyao from the China Association for Science and Technology inscribed the couplet: “Phoenixes gather under the shade in summer; Qilins roam as we recite poetry in the pine pavilion.” From “Tongyin Xiaxia,” you can head north down to the Children’s Playground. The playground offers a variety of entertaining facilities, including a monkey house, swings, horse riding, skateboards, seesaws, boat swings, monkey-pulled carts, bumper cars, rocking machines, funhouse mirrors, electric carriages, Happy Ocean, aerial arcade games, and more.

　　Location

　　Longhu Mountain, western end of Jianshe Road, Yushui District, Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province

　　Type: Urban Park