If you’re looking for a slice of calm in Chengdu without leaving the city, Tianfu Park in the city’s southern Tianfu New Area might just be your new favorite spot. It’s a massive natural escape — 3,450 mu (about 570 acres) of rolling hills, lakes, and open lawns — and it’s completely free. Best of all, the metro drops you right at the gate. Here’s how to make the most of a lazy autumn day at Tianfu Park.
First Things First: Not That Tianfu Park
Before you head out, a quick heads-up: this is Tianfu Park in Tianfu New Area (天府公园), not the Tianfu Art Park in Jinniu District. They share a similar name, but they’re very different. The one in Jinniu is more about art and culture, while this one is a pure, wild, natural ecological park. Don’t mix them up!
A Park That Stretches Across the City
Tianfu Park is huge — covering 3,450 mu (about 570 acres) — and it sits right in the heart of Tianfu New Area, stretching across both sides of Tianfu Avenue. It runs about 1.9 kilometers from north to south. Unlike the flat Chengdu Plain, this area is typical hilly terrain, so the park has a lovely layered, undulating landscape.
Wide Lawns and City Views
The park has several large lawns that are perfect for families with kids to run around freely. You get wide, open views of the city’s high-rises in the distance — one side green grass, the other side modern towers. It’s a scene you’ll see a lot in Tianfu New Area, and it never gets old.
In September, the grass near you is still green, while the slopes in the distance have started to turn a light brown under the autumn sun. Before long, the weather will cool down enough for people to pitch tents, fly kites, and sit around snacking and chatting. It’s the kind of easy, happy scene that makes you want to stay all day.
Local insight: If you’re visiting in September, you’ll catch the lawns at their greenest — perfect for a picnic before the grass starts to fade.
Lakeside Strolls and Photo Ops
Qinhuang Lake (秦皇湖)
One of the park’s most famous spots is Qinhuang Lake. Some people even treat it as a standalone attraction. The lake isn’t huge — you can walk around it in about half an hour. Follow the lakeside path and you’ll see the water lying still like a mirror, with gentle ripples catching the breeze. Weeping willows dip their branches into the water, still green, and water lilies in red, yellow, and pink bloom like little lamps lighting up the surface.
Right next to the lake is the Tianfu International Conference Center, an impressive landmark building. It makes for great photos around the lake.
Zhengxing Creek (正兴溪)
On an evening visit, I went with my family to the northwest corner of the park, where you’ll find Zhengxing Creek. You might not know the name, but it’s the lake surrounded by those iconic high-rises of Tianfu New Area — the Blue Garden City towers. It looks like it could be a private lake for a residential community, but it’s actually part of Tianfu Park. The water here is clearer, so you can see aquatic plants and fish swimming around. It takes about 20 minutes to walk the full loop. Many locals come here for a stroll or a run in the evening — the vegetation around the lake is neatly manicured, and when the lights come on at dusk, it feels wonderfully cozy.
Sports and Activities
Cross Hangzhou Road from Zhengxing Creek, and you’ll find the park’s sports center. There are soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, and badminton courts — something for everyone. If you’re into sports, this is the liveliest, most energetic part of the park.
September’s Simple Pleasures
Honestly, just wandering around the park is beautiful no matter where you go. September is a lovely month here. Some leaves are just starting to turn yellow, foxtail grass is putting out fuzzy spikes, wild chrysanthemums hide their pale yellow buds in the grass, and little wildflowers dot the paths and woods. It’s not overly manicured — it has that natural, free-growing beauty.
Find a shady spot to rest, and you’ll see sunlight slanting across the grass, water, and paths. The breeze carries the scent of plants. It’s the perfect place to quietly enjoy a whole afternoon of relaxation.
Don’t Miss the Pink Muhly Grass
One of the park’s most dreamy sights is the soft pink grass that rises from the ground — it’s like something out of a fantasy. It gets even more beautiful as the season progresses. The pink muhly grass starts turning red and pink in mid-September, and the bloom lasts until November, peaking in October. You’ll find it in Area B of the park, near Tianfu No.7 High School (on the roadside opposite the school). Don’t waste time searching the main park area — head straight there.
Pro tip: If you’re visiting in October, make a beeline for the pink muhly grass in Area B — it’s at its most vivid then.
Getting Around: Rent a Bike
Here’s a piece of advice from a local: rent a shared bike to explore the park. It’s really big, and walking takes a long time. Many parents bring their kids and cycle through the park, stopping whenever they like. When you’re tired, hop off, grab a cold drink, and take a break before continuing at a leisurely pace. The park’s greenways connect in all directions and total over ten kilometers, making it great for exercise.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: Tianfu Avenue South Section 4, Tianfu New Area, Chengdu (成都市天府新区天府大道南四段)
- Ticket: Free
- Getting there: Take Metro Line 1 or Line 18 to Tianfu Park Station, and exit from A or B. For the lake views, take Line 1, Line 6, or Line 18 to Xibo City Station, and use Exit E — it’s close to the south side of Qinhuang Lake.
A Final Thought
Autumn has already arrived in the south of the city. The summer heat hasn’t fully faded, but the poetry of autumn is quietly emerging — lush greenery, calm lakes, and gentle winds. Stop your hurried pace, sit on the lawn for a while, or stroll along the lake. The best scenery is often right next to the city. In Tianfu Park, every season and every moment offers something different. So, do you like the look of this Tianfu Park?
