The Hidden Hill Park Next to Xinglong Lake
Chengdu is huge — 14,000 square kilometers of it — and packed with places worth exploring. But some of the best spots are tucked away so deep that outsiders barely know they exist. Today, we’re heading to a Chengdu hidden gem park in the south of the city that fits that description perfectly.
It’s called Tianfu Science City Mountain Park (天府科学城山地公园), in Chengdu’s Tianfu New Area. Honestly? Most people have never even heard the name, let alone know where it is.
Why You’ve Probably Never Heard of It
Think about the most popular park in south Chengdu these days. Most folks would say Xinglong Lake — and they’d be right. Come the weekend, it’s absolutely packed. But who would guess that right next to it sits a quiet little mountain park?
Getting There Is Ridiculously Easy
Hop off Metro Line 1 at Xinglong Lake Station (兴隆湖站), Exit B — the park is right there on your right-hand side. You really can’t miss it.
The park covers about 130,000 square meters — roughly 195 mu.
Local insight: Locals have an older, more down-to-earth name for this spot: Liangfeng Ding (凉风顶), or “Cool Breeze Peak.” It’s a gently rising hill sitting just north of Xinglong Lake.
A Park Built Around the Land Itself
The park was designed entirely around the existing terrain. This was always hilly country, and many of the plants here are native species that have grown here all along. The vegetation follows the contours of the hill, giving the whole place a lovely layered look.
Stand on the hilltop viewing platform and the view opens up completely — no obstructions. Xinglong Lake stretches out like a sea into the distance, surrounded by the modern buildings of the Science City. Just over a decade ago, this was barren land. Today, it’s a modern new town.
The “Mountain” Is Small — and That’s the Point
Calling it a “mountain” is honestly generous. It’s not tall at all — gentle slopes, wide hillsides, dense greenery. Getting from the bottom to the top means a slow walk along wooden boardwalks that wind with the hill’s shape. You’ll go up, then down, pass through a bamboo grove, skirt around a pond, and weave through thick forest. Every three steps, a new view; every five steps, a bend in the path.
What’s Along the Trail
The mountain park includes a hilltop platform, a flower valley boardwalk, flower valley wetlands, yellow sandstone landscapes, viewing platforms, and pedestrian stairs. Follow the boardwalk all the way around and it’s about 3 kilometers — not long at all. For anyone who doesn’t have time to head out to the countryside for a proper hike, this is perfect. You still get the joy of a walk in the hills, without wearing yourself out.
Why This Park Feels So Welcoming
I genuinely like parks like this. It doesn’t have Xinglong Lake’s fame or Tianfu Park’s grand open spaces. It’s just a small hill, sitting quietly. But that smallness is exactly what makes it feel so friendly.
Bring the kids and take it slow — this is a light hike the whole way, with very little elevation gain. Wooden boardwalks alternate with stone steps. Walk a bit, stop a bit. Half an hour up, half an hour down. You’ll work up a light sweat, then find a quiet corner to rest and watch the clouds drift by. Time just slips away. It’s genuinely relaxing.
A September Visit
It’s September now, and Chengdu has had days and days of rain lately. The air here feels noticeably cleaner. As the saying goes, “each autumn rain brings a layer of cool” — most people visiting now are wearing a light jacket. The autumn wind carries a bit of a chill. After all that rain, the edges of some plants have started to turn faintly yellow. This is early autumn’s color — not summer’s lush green, not late autumn’s bleakness. Everything is just right.
Nature’s Quiet Remedy
The ancients said, “Climb a mountain and your feelings fill the mountain; gaze at the sea and your thoughts overflow the sea.” These days, plenty of high-tech companies have gathered around the park. When people step out of the office and into these woods, all they feel is mountain, water, clouds, trees — and their thoughts tend to open up. Standing on Liangfeng Ding, you feel simply that the mountain is the mountain, the lake is the lake, and you are yourself. That’s the power of nature, quietly healing everyone who comes.
How to Make the Most of Your Trip
If you’re thinking of making a special trip just for this mountain park — honestly, don’t bother. But if you’ve got a free day, come with family or friends to hang out at Xinglong Lake, then carve out some time to enjoy a bit of hiking here. That’s when it gets really fun. If you’re building a fuller day around it, our Chengdu 1-day itinerary routes can help you slot this in alongside other stops.
And you’ll discover that in this green wonderland, the breeze, the sunlight, the air, the birdsong, the scent of plants — all these free things are actually the most precious things in the world.
So — do you like mountain parks like this one? If so, you’ll probably enjoy other Chengdu hidden gems around the city, too.
Practical Info
- Address: East Section, Science City North Road, Tianfu New Area, Chengdu (northwest side of Xinglong Lake)
- Tickets: Free
- Transport: Metro Line 1, Xinglong Lake Station, Exit A or B — direct access
