Lies on the western side of Chongqing, Eling Park stands on Mt. Eling. In Qing Dynasty, a famous calligrapher who was a friend of the garden owner felt the topography of this mountain for its narrow and steep shape resembling a nape of a goose. He wrote down a piece of calligraphy and gave it to the owner. The owner immediately carved it to a stone tablet. This is how the park got its name.
The Eling Park displays the layout of Suzhou gardens. There are various kinds of pavilions, platforms, high buildings, winding paths and corridors, lotus ponds and arc bridges in the garden. Additionally, there are potted landscape gardens with characteristic. The man-made landscapes on the mountain look quite elegant.
On the crest of the city, Eling Park graces Chongqing with delicate miniature landscapes. Mt. Nanshan, Mt. Wangshan and Mt. Jinyun with age-old trees and bamboo groves are worth visiting. Swimming and bathing in the Hot Springs of the Southern and Northern Parks appeal to all. In the zoo there are such rare animals such as pandas and golden haired monkeys. The museum in Chongqing has on display dinosaur fossil skeletons and many other relics. About 150 kilometers from Chongqing you will find the famous super sized stone sculptures in Dazu. You regret it if you miss the magnificent Yangzi Gorges as you leave Chongqing. After the dam on the Yangzi River is completed this sight will be gone forever.
History
Eling park, formerly known as, originally is the villa of Li Yaoting, a rich merchant and the first chairman of Chongqing commerce chamber in the late Qing dynasty. In the late Qing dynasty Xuantong emperor period (1909-1909), Yunnan En’an salt merchants Li Yaoting and his father like the beauty in Eling, therefore they build gardens here, and it is the first private garden of Chongqing.
In 1958, Chongqing municipal government repaired and improved the courteous park, constructing new buildings and pavilions, widely planting flowers and plants trees, gave it a new name as “Eling Park”. The park was originally called Edingling (“Goose Nape Hill”) due to its narrow and steep shape that resembles the nape of a goose.
How to Get There
【By bus】
1. Taking No.808, 318, 503 and 210 to Liziba Stop.
2. Taking No.829 to Eling Park stop.
3. Taking No. 416, 418, 421, 413, 463, 466, 268 and 819 to Eling stop.
【By subway】
Taking Line 1 to Eling station, get off at exit 2A.