Wangjiang
Tower Park is located two kilometers east of Chengdu, on the south bank
of Jinjiang River. It was built to memorialize, Xuetao (768-831), a famous
female poet of the Tang dynasty.
Xuetao was born in Chang'an (the present Xian) and when she was young, moved to Chengdu with her father. After her father's death, she ran into financial difficulties and became a singer. However, she is best known for her poetic work, which was acknowledged and admired by her contemporaries.
The main structure in this park is Chongli Tower, which was built in 1889 during the Qing Dynasty. Uniquely designed, this tower stands 30 meters high with four stories. The upper two stories are octagonal in shape while the lower two are square. Decorated with flying eaves, red pillars, green tiles and a gilded steeple ball on its pointed octagonal roof, the tower looks extremely splendid. Situated near the Jinjiang River, the tower is also named Wangjiang Tower.
Nearby is a well, said to be the place where Xuetao drew water to dye her writing paper. Because she loved bamboo, which she regarded as a symbol of modesty and self-control, many types of bamboo have been planted in the grounds in her honor, which now boasts over 150 varieties of bamboos from China, Japan and South-East Asia. They range from bonsai-sized potted plants to towering giants, creating a shady retreat in the heat of summer (and a cold, damp retreat in winter).
| Admission Fee: | RMB 3 |
| Opening Hours: | 08:00 to 16:50 |
| Recommended Time for a Visit: | One hour |
| Bus Route: | 35, 19, 3, 18, 31 |