The Poetic Green Lung of Huanhuaxi: Baihuatan Park and the Leisurely Old Chengdu Life

The Poetic Habitat by Huanhuaxi

1.Located at: No. 30 Wangjiang Road (Note: Source says No. 30 Wangjiang Road is for Wangjiang Tower, Baihuatan is located in the Huanhuaxi Historical and Cultural Scenic Area, Qingyang District, adjacent to Du Fu Thatched Cottage and Qingyang Palace), Baihuatan Park is a shining pearl of the "Western Sichuan Garden" style embedded in the bustling city of Chengdu. Covering an area of about 25.4 hectares, this park is not just a green space but a living carrier of Chengdu's cultural memory. Its name and history are deeply rooted in the poetry of the Tang Dynasty sage Du Fu. In his poem The Madman, Du Fu wrote, "West of Wanli Bridge lies a thatched cottage, the waters of Baihuatan are like the Canglang," immortalizing this body of water in the annals of poetry. From a scenic spot for literati in the Tang and Song Dynasties to a public park in modern times, Baihuatan has evolved through centuries, preserving the charm of "Old Chengdu" while offering a "Poetic Green Lung" for urban residents today.

A Masterpiece of Western Sichuan Gardens

The park's layout is a classic example of Western Sichuan garden aesthetics, emphasizing a harmony between natural wildness and refined cultivation. The core feature is the Baihuatan Lake, which remains clear and vast. In summer, the lake is filled with blooming lotus flowers—pink, red, and white—creating a picturesque scene that attracts countless photographers. The Lake Heart Island, connected by stone bridges, offers a tranquil vantage point to view the reflection of the Thatched Cottage in the distance. The park is also renowned for its Bonsai Garden, which showcases exquisite Chuan-style bonsai, incorporating elements of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum to create a serene artistic atmosphere. The winding paths, bamboo forests, and rockeries provide a "step-by-step scenery" experience, typical of traditional Chinese garden design.

The Golden Ginkgo Avenue

One of the most spectacular sights in Baihuatan Park occurs in late autumn (typically November). The park features a famous Ginkgo Avenue, where the leaves of ancient ginkgo trees turn a brilliant golden yellow. As the leaves fall, they carpet the ground in gold, creating a romantic "Golden Tunnel." The sound of footsteps on the dry leaves mixes with the laughter of visitors, making it one of the most popular photography spots in Chengdu during the autumn season. Alongside the ginkgo, the park is also adorned with bamboo forests that sway in the wind, maintaining the "green and lush" characteristic of the Chengdu Plain throughout the year.

The Authentic "Slow Life" of Chengdu

Baihuatan Park is the perfect place to experience the renowned "Slow Life" (Man Shenghuo) of Chengdu. Scattered throughout the park are traditional Teahouses set under the shade of centuries-old trees. Here, elderly locals spend their days sipping jasmine tea from "Gaiwan" (covered bowls), playing chess, engaging in "Longmenzhen" (chatting), or simply dosing off in bamboo chairs. The atmosphere is filled with the sounds of birds chirping and the clinking of tea sets, embodying the "An Yi" (comfort and leisure) that Chengdu is famous for. It is a place where the hustle of the modern world fades away, replaced by the timeless rhythm of a city that knows how to enjoy life. Whether you are feeding fish by the lake or listening to an impromptu Sichuan Opera tune from a radio, Baihuatan offers a genuine slice of local life.