Eling Park (Goose Neck Park)
Sited in the highest place of the Yuzhong Peninsula at 340-380 meters, Eling Park is equipped with the grand, steep, risky and elegantcharacteristic features. Eling Park gained its fame mainly for the best view of admiring the mountainous city Chongqing and the fantastic landscape of the roiling Yangtze.
Besides, the park is also famous for the stay of many famous figures from China’s long history, including Mr. and Mrs.Chiang-Kai-Shek, the premier of Kumingtang, Feng Yuxiang, Lin Sen,Sun Ke, Song Ziwen, He Yingqin, Yan Xishan, and Chen Cheng.
Every year the flower show at Goose Neck Park attracted a lot ofvisitors, especially the chrysanthemum show in the golden autumn in China. Additionally, Goose Neck Park is also an ideal place for a relaxing Chinese tea drinking.
Chongqing Eling Park Facts
The History of Eling Park
In the first year of the Xuantong era of the Qing Dynasty (1909), Yiyuan was constructed by Li Yaoting, a salt merchant from En'an County, Zhaotong Prefecture, Yunnan, and his son Li Heyang, a promotion officer in Chongqing Prefecture under the Sichuan Provincial Promotion Bureau, at a cost of 100,000 taels of silver. In the first year of the Republic of China (1912), Yiyuan was renamed Liyuan.
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In early 1939, construction began on the Flying Pavilion within Eling Park. That summer, Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling took up residence in the pavilion. In December of the same year, the Turkish Embassy leased premises within Eling Park. From 1940 to August 1945, the Flying Pavilion served as the residence of Sir Alexander Grantham, British Ambassador to China.
In July 1950, descendants of the Li family donated Liyuan to the People's Government. The garden was converted into the headquarters of the Southwest Military Region, with Liu Bocheng and Song Renqiong successively residing in the Flying Pavilion. In 1958, it was officially named Eling Park and opened to the public. In 1965, the Liangjiang Pavilion was constructed within Eling Park and later renamed Kansheng Tower.
Why Visit Eling Park When Visiting Chongqing?
- The park is lush with vegetation from shady trees and colorful flowers. In spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom. In summer, the lush trees provide people with welcome shade.
- Standing on the viewing platform, one can gaze at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Jialing River, and have a panoramic view of Chongqing, with spectacular bridges and towering skyscrapers intertwining.
- Together with Hongya Cave and Liberation Monument, Eling Park is one of the best palces to take in Chongqing's night view.
- During holidays, E'ling Park hosts diverse themed events, including family-friendly activities and photography exhibitions. For example, in June 2015, Hungarian painter Anton Mona held an exhibition at Eling Park. In May 2017, the Japanese Garden Exhibition and Tea Ceremony was held here.
Highlight Attractions: Top Things to See & Visit
Stone Rope Bridge
Located in the central part of Eling Park, it stands as one of the park's iconic landmarks. This S-shaped stone bridge was designed by bridge architect Li Heyang. Rong Lake is divided into upper and lower tiers due to the terrain's elevation difference, with the rope bridge spanning the upper tier. Beneath the bridge lie two stone arches in a figure-eight configuration at different angles. Viewed from either side, the bridge openings appear as one large and one small arch. The bridge's lower support points are embedded with stalactites. Its stone railings resemble two thick, curved ropes, hence the name “Rope Bridge.”
Flying Pavilion
A signature structure of Chongqing's Eling Park, the Flying Pavilion features a brick-and-wood construction with vermilion eaves and green tiles, resembling a soaring bird.
Kansheng Tower
This seven-story pagoda-style structure, also known as the Two Rivers Pavilion, stands at the northeast corner of Goose Neck Park. Rising 41.44 meters tall at an elevation of 380 meters, it occupies the park's highest vantage point, offering panoramic views of Chongqing's urban landscape. Admission: 5 yuan.
Remarkably, you can observe Chongqing's light rail tracks winding like green caterpillars across the Yangtze River bridges. Some cars are white, others green, mostly eight-car trains, slowly crossing the Yangtze to connect one district to another.
Yihui Garden
Located at the southern end of Eling Park, this area features a polygonal pond with an artificial hill at its center. Beside the hill are flower beds and tortoise-shell patterned stone flower stands displaying seasonal blooms.
E'xiang Villa
Situated at the southwest end of E'ling Park, designed by the Chongqing Landscape Planning and Design Office. It encompasses the E'ling Contemporary Chinese Studies Association Hall, courtyards, terraces, pavilions, and gazebos.
Office Building
Located at the southern end of E'ling Park, this Western-style brick-and-wood structure was built in the early Republican era. It served as the former Turkish Embassy.
Soviet Martyrs' Tomb
This collective burial site honors Soviet volunteer soldiers and pilots Stoltz and Katunov who fell during the War of Resistance Against Japan.
Former Danish Embassy in Chongqing
Constructed in the 1920s-1930s, this brick-and-wood structure features a small blue-tiled roof, gabled timber trusses, load-bearing blue-brick walls and columns, and a flagstone foundation. The building itself remains well-preserved.
Best Time to Visit Eling Park
According to Chongqing's weather, autumn and spring offer the most comfortable climate, making them the best times to visit Eling Park. Additionally, autumn's skies and visibility are ideal for capturing panoramic cityscapes.
How to Get to Goose Neck Park
By light rail: Visitors can take Chongqing Rail Transit Line 1 and get off at Eling Station.
By bus: Routes 109, 118, 138, 224, 402, 403, 413, 418, 421, 462, and 819 are available.
Travel Tips
If you're interested, after visiting Eling Park, you can explore Eling Factory No. 2 and head to Liziba to witness Chongqing's unique sight of light rail trains passing through buildings.
If you enjoy photography, you can wear Hanfu or qipao attire for a traditional Chinese-style photo shoot.
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