Panzhou Park

　　Today’s Panzhou Park is a well-known park in western Guangdong, offering beauty at every turn. Yet in the past, it was nothing more than an overgrown, wild swamp.

　　In the spring of 1929, Jiang Guangnai, commander of the 24th Division of the 11th National Revolutionary Army, along with his deputy commander Chen Weiyuan and County Magistrate Huang Yongtai, initiated and directed soldiers from the division’s engineering battalion to dig mud and build embankments outside Wenming Gate at Datang. They transformed the pond into a lake, built roads, and planted trees. Later, a tree-lined road was constructed leading to Chezailing on the southern side of the lake. In 1934, funds were raised by various sectors to build additional pavilions by the lake and on the opposite hill. By then, the initial form of Panzhou Park had taken shape.

　　In the winter of 1958, the government led the public in over 20 days of voluntary labor to excavate the Middle Lake and Back Lake south of the Front Lake, expanding the water surface to 60 acres. Two single-arch bridges were also constructed. Additionally, scenic islets and peninsulas were built in the Middle Lake, trees were planted along the embankments, and stone benches and cement tables were placed under the shade of trees. These efforts further established the park as a popular leisure destination.

　　After 1976, the government carried out large-scale renovations, expansions, and replanting. Pavilions, waterside pavilions, winding bridges, corridors, and cultural display windows were added, along with pleasure boats and a new children’s playground. Visitors to the park are greeted with fragrant flowers, beautiful waters, poetic corridors, secluded paths, and breathtaking garden scenery.

　　In 1983, further renovations and expansions took place, adding a children’s playground and a flower garden.

　　New recreational facilities were also built, including a zigzag bridge, Yiyazhai Studio, Dechun Pavilion, Fenhu Pavilion, Wangyue Pavilion, rockeries, a monkey hill, a dragon-phoenix screen, and a bird pavilion. The total area of the park exceeded 100 acres.