The park commemorates Xue Tao, a Tang-dynasty courtesan and poet who lived in Chengdu in the late eighth century and is remembered for writing on small, colored paper of her own design. The tower she is associated with was rebuilt several times; the present structure dates from the Qing dynasty and stands four storeys high beside the river, with a carved wooden interior and a roof of green glazed tiles.
The bamboo collection
The park's real distinction is its bamboo, with roughly two hundred and fifty species from across China and beyond. Bamboo here ranges from pencil-thin ornamental varieties to huge timber culms, in colors that include green, yellow, black and striped. The groves are dense enough to cool the air noticeably, and the park is shaded and quiet even on a hot day.
The grounds
Besides the tower, the park holds a memorial hall to Xue Tao, a well of her name, ponds and pavilions, and a bamboo-craft shop. The Jin River runs along the northern edge, and the riverside path is a good place to watch herons and the occasional fisherman.
Practical notes
The park is in the southeast of the city center, easy to reach by metro and close to the Sichuan University campus. Allow about an hour. Mornings are best, when locals practice tai chi and play traditional instruments in the pavilions. There is a modest admission fee for the heritage section. Combine it with a walk along the Jin River or with the nearby snack streets.
