Miniature of Western Sichuan Gardens
In recent years, many upscale parks have been built in Jinniu District, Chengdu, with the most famous being Tianfu Art Park. Spanning over a thousand acres, it is deeply loved by locals. However, right next to Tianfu Art Park lies a more compact yet equally charming park worth visiting—Shu Garden. The best part? It's rarely crowded on weekdays.
Shu Garden, Tianfu Art Park, and Yi Garden are seamlessly connected. Located at No. 21 Huayan Road, Jinniu District, adjacent to the north side of Jinniu Hotel, Shu Garden is an integral part of Tianfu Art Park.
As the nation's first open park themed around Sichuan Opera art, Shu Garden, along with Yi Garden, Tianfu Art Museum, and Tianfu Humanities & Art Library, forms the cultural and artistic landmarks of Jinniu District.
Designed by renowned landscape architect Academician Meng Zhaozhen, Shu Garden embodies the concept of a "miniature of Western Sichuan gardens," blending Sichuan Opera culture, Sichuan-style bonsai, and natural landscapes to create a "scenery at every step" experience.
Covering 110 acres (including 33 acres of water and 77 acres of landscaped gardens), it may not compare in size to parks spanning thousands of acres, but it’s still worthy of leisurely exploration.
The park’s name is deeply rooted in Bashu (Sichuan) culture, with its main structures—Shu Yin Pavilion, Shu Yun Pavilion, and Shu Yi Pavilion—all prefixed with "Shu."
- **Shu Yin Pavilion**: The core venue for Sichuan Opera performances, hosting regular shows.
- **Shu Yun Pavilion**: A tea-themed space offering a serene spot to enjoy tea.
- **Shu Yi Pavilion**: Where visitors can try painting opera masks or crafting handmade items.
- **Jin Shang Fang**: A waterside boat-shaped structure perfect for photos, with its reflection shimmering on the lake.
The park preserves the original water network, linking Lotus Lake and Osmanthus Lake to form a dynamic "water embracing mountains" landscape. Winding corridors, arched bridges, and boat pavilions are artfully arranged.
The Moon Bridge spans the lake, its three arches and reflections creating a poetic scene. Along the shore, the Sichuan-style bonsai garden displays golden berry trees, podocarpus, twisted pines, and delicate rockeries for up-close appreciation.
Dubbed a "classic film and TV shooting site," Shu Garden’s architecture and scenery are ideal for capturing vintage-style photos. With pavilions, carved bridges, lake reflections, red maples, ginkgo trees, and seasonal blooms, every shot is picture-perfect. The rockeries and stone steps add a rustic charm, and in this season, the lush greenery makes the park a dream destination.
The water quality here is exceptional, with wetlands, channels, and lakes restored ecologically to form an urban "sponge." The clarity exceeds 1.5 meters, attracting egrets and other birds. In an era of cookie-cutter parks, Shu Garden stands out with its regional cultural identity, drawing countless visitors.
Though small, Shu Garden combines Sichuan Opera, gardens, greenery, and classical architecture, making it a model of Chengdu’s "park city" initiative. Whether seeking artistic beauty or urban tranquility, it fulfills all expectations of a fulfilling life.
**Address**: No. 21 Huayan Road, Jinniu District
**Admission**: Free