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石家庄长安公园，美了62年……_吴禄贞 ## Chang’an Park (West Gate), Shijiazhuang – Lakes, Lotus & Local Life in the City Center Chang’an Park (长安公园) is the classic “central park” of Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei Province. It’s a big, tree-shaded public park with lakes, historic pavilions, lotus ponds and a constant stream of local life – from retirees playing traditional instruments to families renting paddle boats. Although some POI databases mis-tag this park under nearby cities, official tourism and mapping sources place Chang’an Park in Chang’an District, Shijiazhuang, not Xingtai. Listings --- ### Quick Facts - Chinese name: 长安公园 - Location: Central Shijiazhuang, Chang’an District, Hebei, China - Main address: Around 205 Zhongshan East Road, near the municipal government area and Northland (Beiguo) shopping district Listings - West Gate location: On Jianshe North Street in Chang’an District – this is the “Chang’an Park (West Gate)” entrance your data refers to - Opening hours: Commonly listed as roughly 06:00–22:00 Listings - Entrance fee: Widely reported as free (public city park) - Visitor rating: Around 4.8/5 from recent Trip.com users, reflecting very positive reviews for greenery and atmosphere Maps > Always double-check on the day you visit: opening hours, temporary closures and free-entry policies can change with local regulations or events. --- ## A Short History: From Jiefang Park to Chang’an Park Chang’an Park is one of Shijiazhuang’s oldest urban parks and carries a bit of modern Chinese landscape-architecture history. - Construction began in May 1955, and the park officially opened on 1 August 1958. - Because it originally sat near Jiefang (Liberation) Road, it was first called Jiefang Park. - When the city reorganised its districts in 1960, the park was renamed Chang’an Park after the district. - During the Cultural Revolution period, the district name changed to Dongfanghong (East Is Red) District, and the park followed suit as Dongfanghong Park before later reverting to Chang’an Park. - The park’s overall layout was designed under Wang Juyuan, a pioneering Chinese landscape architect and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, which is why the composition of lakes, islets, bridges and pavilions feels so considered. Knowing this background explains why the park doesn’t feel like a generic new greenbelt: it’s a mid-20th-century urban park with layers of political and design history embedded in its name changes and structure. --- ## Layout & Atmosphere: What You’ll Actually See ### Lakes, Willows and the “City’s Green Lung” In the middle of the park is a sizeable lake (locals often refer to it as Weiming Lake), surrounded by willow trees, zigzagging boardwalks and small islets linked by stone bridges. High-rise office towers ring the park’s perimeter, so you get that very specific contrast: reflective water and low traditional pavilions in front of a skyline of glass and concrete. Expect: - Willow-lined paths that follow the water’s edge - Curved white stone bridges ideal for photos - Plenty of benches and shaded corners to escape summer heat This is one of the city’s main “green lungs”, and you’ll see residents using it daily rather than just on holidays. ### The Famous Lotus Pond at the West Gate The West Gate is particularly attractive in summer. Around this entrance is the “Lotus Pond Moonlight” (荷塘月色) lotus pool, plus additional ponds near the central teahouse and Chang’an Pavilion. Beijing Key details: - Roughly 1,250 m² of lotus ponds are recorded in the West Gate and central areas. Beijing - Varieties include peony-style waterlilies, friendship lotus and other named cultivars that bloom from late June to September, depending on the year’s weather. Beijing At peak bloom you’ll see layers of lotus leaves with pink and white blossoms rising above, with trellis walls and circular “moon gates” framing views – very photogenic and often featured in local media photo spreads. ### The Three-Pavilion Bridge (San Ting Qiao) One of Chang’an Park’s signature structures is the Three-Pavilion Bridge, built in the 1970s and now listed among Shijiazhuang’s protected historic buildings. Locals even summarise it with a rhyme describing its architecture: > “Ten red pillars, eight flying eaves, grey glazed tiles, three red finials on top.” You’ll find: - A triple pavilion with grey-tiled roofs and bright red columns - A walkway above the water with views back toward the city - Swan-shaped pedal boats often passing below during busy periods It’s one of the best spots for photos that capture the contrast between traditional design and modern Shijiazhuang around the lake. ### People’s Hall, Performance Corners and Everyday Culture Chang’an Park isn’t only about scenery – it’s a stage for daily culture. Sources describe: - A People’s Hall and other event spaces inside the park used for meetings and performances. - Music and dance circles: retirees playing self-made instruments, opera aficionados singing, and groups practising ballroom or line dancing in open squares. - Fitness corners with outdoor gym equipment and open spaces where people practise tai chi or square dancing from early morning onward. If you like people-watching, these informal gatherings are often more revealing than any scripted show. ### Underground Shopping & Surrounding Food Under parts of the park and around its perimeter, you’ll find an underground shopping mall and older commercial streets. Local write-ups mention long-standing eateries around the park that many residents associate with childhood memories – traditional restaurants, dumpling houses and snack shops. Even if specific restaurant names change over time, you can safely expect: - Casual noodles and dumpling places near the main gates - Bakeries and snack stalls along Zhongshan East Road - Easy access to larger malls such as Beiguo Mall / Northland Mall, just across major intersections from the park --- ## Best Times to Visit Because this is a four-season park, what you experience changes a lot through the year. ### Spring (March–May) - Early spring brings peach and cherry blossoms around internal islands like the so-called “Peach Blossom Island” highlighted in local features. - Temperatures are comfortable, and the park feels lively without summer heat. - Ideal for: slow photo walks, reading on a bench, first glimpses of green after winter. ### Summer (June–August) - Lotus season at the West Gate and nearby ponds from roughly late June through early September. Beijing - Shade from dense trees plus pedal boating on the lake make midday bearable, though it can still be hot and humid. - Evenings are very active – locals stroll, eat snacks, and sit to chat until closing time. ### Autumn (September–November) - Ginkgo trees and other deciduous plantings turn yellow and red, giving classic autumn scenes along the paths. - Air quality and temperatures are usually better than peak summer or winter. - You’ll still find dance groups and music corners, but with softer light and fewer crowds than Golden Week. ### Winter (December–February) - Fewer visitors, more open space, and, after a good snowfall, a very still, monochrome landscape around the bridges and pavilions. - Good for photography if you don’t mind the cold and bare branches. --- ## Things to Do in Chang’an Park ### 1. Walk a Full Loop Around the Lake A complete lap around the central lake takes roughly 45–60 minutes at a relaxed pace. Along the way you can: - Cross multiple bridges, including smaller stone arches and the Three-Pavilion Bridge - Watch paddle boats on the water - Stop at various viewing platforms and railings for city-meets-nature photos ### 2. Join – or Observe – Morning Exercise Early in the day, the park is one of Shijiazhuang’s hubs for informal exercise: - Tai chi groups in quieter corners - Dance exercise or square dancing near flatter paved plazas - People of all ages using public fitness equipment dotted around the park You can usually stand and watch without any problem; if you want to join in, be respectful, follow along from the edge, and give people space. ### 3. Enjoy the Lotus and Photography at the West Gate From the West Gate on Jianshe North Street, head straight toward the lotus ponds and circular trellis walls: - Photograph lotus flowers framed by geometric openings in the structures - Capture reflections of weeping willows and pavilions on the pond surface - Focus on small details: seed pods, dragonflies, and the texture of old stone paths Beijing ### 4. Take the Kids for Boats & Simple Rides Families will find: - Pedal boats on the main lake in warmer months - A modest children’s play / amusement area with small rides and games (offerings can change, but this kind of set-up is repeatedly mentioned in reviews). It’s not a full-scale amusement park, but it’s an easy way to let kids burn energy without leaving the city centre. ### 5. Explore the Underground Mall and Streets Nearby When you’ve had your fill of greenery: - Use the underground passages and shopping mall beneath or beside the park to move between exits and nearby commercial blocks. - Combine your visit with time at Hebei Museum or neighbouring commercial areas like Northland Mall / Beiguo Shangcheng, both within walking distance according to recent travel guides. --- ## Practical Information for Visitors ### Getting There Based on local listings and transit info: - The park sits along/near Zhongshan East Road in central Shijiazhuang. Listings - Multiple city bus routes stop near the park; one listing notes routes such as 1, 5, 10, 12, 26 and 32 serving the broader area. Listings - The West Gate is on Jianshe North Street in Chang’an District, which is convenient if you’re coming from hotels and offices along that corridor.