Huanghuaxi Park is not just a green area, but a true cultural reserve located in the center of Chengdu. It is situated between two of the city`s main attractions: the Memorial Cottage of Du Fu and the Sichuan Provincial Museum. Thanks to its location, the park perfectly fits into the route of a tourist walking from the famous poet`s cottage towards the museum.
Location of Huanghuaxi Park
Huanghuaxi Park is located in Qingyang District on Qinghua Street, occupying a position between two cultural centers. Du Fu`s Cottage is located right at the park`s north gate, and the Sichuan Museum can be reached on foot in just 10 minutes. This proximity makes Huanghuaxi an ideal place for a stop and a rest during a cultural walk.
It is important to note that entry to the park is free. Huanghuaxi Park is open to visitors from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, allowing you to enjoy it both early in the morning and at sunset.
Harmony of Water and Land
The territory of Huanghuaxi Park is permeated by the water element, the main artery of which is the Huanhuaxi River. It flows through the entire park, winding among bamboo groves and hills, creating surprisingly picturesque views. In some places, the river expands, forming shallow marshy areas, especially in the area of Egret Island (Bailuzhou), where reed thickets rustle — a rare phenomenon for a city park. Here you can observe graceful egrets that have chosen this quiet corner.
A special charm is added to the park by an oxbow lake — an old riverbed that over time separated from the main flow and turned into a system of picturesque backwaters and channels. These calm bodies of water, filled with clear water, harmoniously fit into the landscape and became a natural continuation of the river.
Over time, the oxbow lake spread, forming the main water pearl of the park — the vast Canglan Lake. Its mirror-like surface, surrounded by weeping willows and ancient bridges in the Chinese style, creates an atmosphere of tranquility and peace. Here you can endlessly watch the koi carp, which visitors gladly feed, or simply admire the reflections of clouds and greenery in the still water.
Monument to Du Fu at the North Gate
Special attention deserves the majestic monument to Du Fu, installed on the spacious square at the park`s north gate. This is a monumental sculptural composition, executed in the classical Chinese style.
The poet is depicted at full height, with an expression of deep thoughtfulness and sadness characteristic of his image. In one hand he holds a writing brush, and his gaze is directed into the distance — as if he is once again contemplating the surrounding landscapes that once inspired him to create immortal lines.
The pedestal of the monument is made of dark stone, and around it there is a small neat square with flower beds and low shrubs, which gives the square a solemn and at the same time peaceful appearance. This place often becomes the starting point for walks in the park: tourists love to take photos here, and locals arrange meetings.
Architecture and Sculptures
The Huanghuaxi Park itself consists of three main zones: Wanshu Mountain, Canglan Lake, and Bailuzhou Island. However, the main thing that attracts tourists are the numerous monuments associated with Du Fu.
In the park you can find several sculptures of the great poet, which differ in style of execution and age. In addition to realistic statues, the Alley of Poetry is of particular interest — an impressive open-air gallery 388 meters long.
Along the entire alley, poems from different dynasties are engraved on stone slabs, and at the entrance there are giant stone statues of Du Fu and his friend Li Bai. Here you can also find the Monument of a Thousand Poems of Du Fu, where lines from famous poems by Du Fu are engraved on a small stone rock.
Monument of a Thousand Poems of Du Fu
In Huanghuaxi Park, unlike the Du Fu Cottage Museum, where hundreds of calligraphic works are presented, there is a completely different monument in spirit. We are talking about a separate stele located on the famous Alley of Poetry — the main pedestrian axis of the park. This is not the grandiose "Thousand Poems" project covering the entire territory, but an intimate and expressive art object organically integrated into the park`s landscape.
This stele of a Thousand Poems of Du Fu is a small stone rock, on the surface of which selected lines from Du Fu`s poems are engraved. Unlike museum galleries with their strict rows of steles, here the stone seems to grow out of the ground, preserving its natural outlines. It is installed right in the middle of the alley, on both sides of which stand monumental sculptures of the greatest poets of China: Li Bai, Qu Yuan, and Du Fu himself.
For the tourist, this stele is one of the main attractions on the Alley of Poetry. It is not overloaded with texts: only a few lines carved in stone, but it is this brevity that gives them special significance. Locals and city guests often stop here to read familiar lines, take photos against the backdrop of the wild stone, or simply stand in silence, feeling a connection with the poetic heritage.
What to Pay Attention To
Best time to visit: Early morning (7:30–10:00) is the ideal time for bird watching on the lake and shooting in soft light, or the pre-sunset hours (16:00–18:00), when the park is flooded with warm sunlight.
Bamboo groves: Along the walking paths, dense bamboo thickets grow, creating natural green corridors. Here you can feel the very poetic atmosphere that Du Fu sang about, walking in the shade of tall bamboo stems.
Real life in Chengdu: The Park has a traditional tea house with bamboo chairs and tables. Here you can order a cup of jasmine tea and watch the leisurely rhythm of the city.
The main value of Huanghuaxi Park lies in its multilayered nature. The water system with winding channels, Canglan Lake, and reed backwaters creates surprisingly diverse landscapes that harmoniously coexist with man-made monuments. The Alley of Poetry with stone steles engraved with Du Fu`s lines and monumental statues of the greatest Chinese poets turns an ordinary walk into a touch with immortal verse.
