Pipa Mountain Park (枇杷山公园), located atop Pipa Mountain with an elevation of 345 meters, stands as the highest point in Chongqing’s old city area. This scenic park offers a tranquil oasis within the bustling urban environment. As you venture through the park, you’ll find winding mountain paths, lush bamboo groves, abundant flowers and vegetation, and crisp, clean air, providing a respite from the city’s hustle and bustle. The park boasts various attractions, including the Red Star Pavilion, Fuyuan Garden, Ziwei Garden, and Yingcui Corridor. Thanks to its elevated location, Pipa Mountain Park has long been a favored spot for enjoying panoramic views of Chongqing’s cityscape.
As for the origin of the mountain’s name, there are a few different legends. One suggests that the mountain was named after the numerous loquat trees (which read Pipa in Chinese) that used to grow there. Another explanation is that the mountain’s shape resembles the Chinese musical instrument, the pipa. Yet another story tells of a beautiful maiden who once lived on the mountain and would play the pipa every night to call her lover on the south bank, creating exquisite and enchanting music that led to the mountain’s name being passed down through the generations.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Pipa Mountain Park
- Attractions near Pipa Mountain Park
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 18.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-023-63519973 |
Location and Transportation
Pipa Mountain Park is located on Pipa Mountain in the Yuzhong District of Chongqing, right in the heart of the city. You can find it situated on Zhongshan Second Road. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 3204, get off at Pipa Mountain Street Stop (枇杷山正街站), and walk about 80 meters to the north to reach the park.
Metro: The closest metro station to Pipa Mountain Park is Qingxinggang (七星岗) on line 1 and line 10. After getting out of the station from Exit 3, you will be standing right at the entrance of the park.
Highlights of Pipa Mountain Park
Fuyuan Garden
Fuyuan Garden, situated in the middle of the mountain’s summit, covers an area of approximately 2,000 square meters. This garden features long corridors, a single pavilion, a water pond, and a statue of a pipa-playing lady, all surrounded by lush greenery. The garden’s shaded paths, pavilions, and tranquil surroundings make it an excellent place for leisure and relaxation. Fuyuan Garden is abundant in a wide variety of plants and trees, earning its reputation as the “lung” of the Yuzhong District, contributing to the city’s greenery and providing essential oxygen to the urban environment.
Wangyuan Garden
Wang Garden, known as “Wangyuan,” was the private residence of Wang Lingji, the Chairman of the Sichuan Provincial Government, before the park’s establishment. After liberation, it was brought under state ownership and transformed into a public park. An interesting anecdote from the park’s history involves the Chongqing Municipal Committee’s temporary use of Wang Garden as its office space when they lacked a suitable location post-liberation. Later, the Municipal Committee relocated, and Deng Xiaoping suggested that the place be converted into a park for the people’s enjoyment. In 1955, after government investment and renovation, Wang Garden was officially reopened as Pipa Mountain Park.
Red Star Pavilion
The Red Star Pavilion, located at the mountain’s peak, represents the highest point in the park. It was initially constructed in 1955 and is a double-decked octagonal pavilion covering an area of about 130 square meters. Standing in the pavilion, you can take in the breathtaking sights of the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, along with the city’s evolving skyline, all spread out before your eyes.
