The park sits on the ridge of Eling, the spine of the peninsula on which the old city of Chongqing grew, in the Yuzhong district. It has been a garden since the early twentieth century, when it was laid out as a private estate, and became a public park later. Because the peninsula narrows and rises toward its eastern tip, the park looks down over both rivers at once.
The park
It is planted with old trees and laid out in terraces with pavilions, viewing platforms, a lotus pond and a small collection of traditional buildings. The Liangjiang Pavilion at the highest point is the main viewpoint, looking east down the peninsula toward the confluence, with the towers of Jiefangbei on one side and the two rivers sweeping around. In the early evening the view is at its best, with the city lighting up and the rivers reflecting it.
What else is here
The park holds a small exhibition on the wartime period, when Chongqing was the capital of the Chinese government and this ridge was the site of foreign legations and residences. Several of the old buildings survive, and the park is quiet enough for an hour of walking on shaded paths.
Practical notes
The park is free and open from morning until late. It is in Yuzhong, a short taxi ride from Jiefangbei or the cable car station, and about a fifteen-minute walk uphill from the nearest metro, so most visitors take a taxi. Go about forty-five minutes before sunset and stay for the lights. Bring water; the site is hilly and the stairways are steep in places.
