River Viewing Pavillion Park is much more peaceful and interesting than its bland name suggests. The park features a four-story Qing dynasty pagoda built between 1886 and 1889. It provides a fantastic unobstructed view of a large portion of the Brocade river as well as the Chengdu skyline. Entrance to the park itself is free. Like everywhere else in Chengdu, tea drinking, card slamming, and Mahjong foursomes leave you wondering, "When do these people actually work?"

The river-viewing pagoda is known as the Tower of Magnificence. It is included in a confined section of the park that is also dedicated to the Tang Dynasty poetess Xue Tao. Entrance to this area is Y20, but the fee is worth it. If you speak Chinese, but do not have student ID, tell them you are a student. If they ask for your ID, just say, "If I am not a student, then how am I speaking Chinese?" (At least this worked for me!) The student price is only Y10.

Very few travellers have the time to come here, and since the park isn’t very centrally located, even many expats aren’t familiar with it. Obviously locals aren’t interested in paying Y20 either. By putting up the entrance fee, you have the opportunity to relax in one of the quietest hideouts in urban Chengdu. The gardens in this section are extremely diverse, serene, and well-kept and finding a shady spot is not a problem. Climb the pagoda and bring a book. The opportunity to enjoy a moment as quiet as this one in a Chinese urban setting is very rare.

Xue Tao was born in Shaanxi province, and wrote her first poem at age 6. She came to Chengdu with no money after her parents died when she was 16 years old. She was quickly able to make a living for herself as a poet. She apparently loved bamboo, so this section of the park includes a bamboo garden featuring over 200 species of bamboo from all over Asia (according to one Chengdu resident). The Xue Tao commemorative hall includes beautiful murals with vibrant neon colors not often seen in China. 

The park is open everyday from 6:00 am until 9:00 pm. The Xue Tao Shrine and Tower of Magnificence are open from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm everyday.

Directions: The park is located southeast of the city center adjacent to Sichuan University. You can catch the no. 35 bus which runs on the north side of the river along Binjiang Lu by walking south on Renmin Lu from Tianfu Square. When you see the park, get off the bus, and walk along the river to the next bridge that allows you to reach the park’s southwest gate. A taxi from downtown should not cost more than Y10-12.