Chengdu’s September Secret: Yima River Park
September in Chengdu is one of those months that just feels right — crisp air, high skies, and temperatures that make you want to be outside. Sure, the sun still shows up now and then, but the weather stays pleasant enough to lift your mood. Isn’t this exactly the kind of day that calls for a little outing — a trip out of the city?
If you’re nodding yes, there’s a park on Chengdu’s east side that’s well worth your time. It’s called Longquanyi Yima River Park — a hidden urban escape that feels like a secret garden tucked right into the city.
What Makes Yima River Park Special
Yima River Park covers about 1,700 mu (roughly 280 acres) and is split into two phases. Phase One sits in the old town area and is perfect for strolling and relaxing. Phase Two is next to Dong’an Lake and is great for bringing the kids or setting up a camping spot.
The name itself is a fun little mystery. Does it have something to do with horses? Actually, yes. The Yima River was once called “Feilong Stream.” During the Three Kingdoms period, it got the name “Yinma River” (Drinking Horse River) because Zhang Fei watered his horses here. Later, when Longquan Yi set up a post station in the Ming Dynasty, the name changed to “Yima River.” It’s known as the mother river of the Longquanyi District.
It wasn’t always this pretty. In the last century, this area was overgrown with weeds and the river was clogged with silt — nobody would have thought to come here for fun. River cleanup began at the end of the last century, and in 2017 a major renovation kicked off. Later, Phase Two was completed. Now, several years on, the whole park has a completely new look and has become a popular urban park that people love — especially for those living in Longquan, who are truly lucky to have so many parks right on their doorstep.
A Walk Through the Park
At the entrance, you’ll find Guyi Square (Old Post Station Square), where three bronze horse sculptures stand quietly, heads bowed as if drinking water. The three horses symbolize the three ancient post roads of Longquanyi: the merchant road, the official post road, and the cultural road. On the square’s relief wall, the names of eighteen post stations from Jinguan Yi to Longquan Yi are carved. Looking at it all, you can almost feel the dust kicked up by horses’ hooves from days gone by. The railings are engraved with lines of poetry, giving the place an understated antique charm.
September in the outskirts carries a gentle coolness. The wind isn’t rushed or restless — it rustles through the camphor trees with a soft shhh. Camphor, bamboo, and ginkgo still stand tall and green, as if they haven’t quite noticed autumn’s arrival. Only the wild grasses and shrubs along the path have quietly taken on a faint yellow and pale red at their edges, layering together with a hint of early autumn.
A clear stream runs through the park, with sloped banks on either side that give the landscape a lovely sense of depth. On hot days, lots of people come here to play in the water and cool off. Lately, though, the weather has cooled down, so fewer visitors are around — but the scenery is still beautiful.
The Pink Muhly Grass You Can’t Miss
In September, the pink muhly grass at Yima River Park is an absolute must-see. A few days ago, it started quietly changing color on the gentle slopes. Now it’s in early bloom, with fine flower spikes swaying gently in the wind. From a distance, it looks like a layer of pink mist floating over the earth.
I love how healing this sight is. The plants are only about a meter tall, but they bloom in such dense patches that they let you feel nature’s beauty in early autumn. The blooming season runs from September all the way to November. Crouch down for a closer look, and each spike is as fine as a hair, with a soft pink-purple tint at the tip. Thousands upon thousands of them together create a hazy, sunset-like quality.
Give it a little more time, and I think the pink will only get deeper and more beautiful.
Greenways, Bridges, and the Famous 3D-Printed Bridge
The park has 15 kilometers of colorful greenways and more than 10 landscape bridges of different designs. The most special one is Liuyun Bridge (Flowing Cloud Bridge). At 66.8 meters long, it’s the world’s longest 3D-printed bridge made of polymer materials. Its blue-and-white curves flutter like ribbons — free, fluid, like a winding river, lightly spanning the water.
Along the Riverbank: Autumn in Full Swing
Walk further along the riverbank and you’ll see willows still green, Chinese tallow trees just showing red tips, and ginkgo leaves still green — but the reeds have already begun to fade. The park’s reed marsh is now in its best viewing period. The reed flowers are semi-transparent in the warm sun, rustling softly. When the wind blows, you can’t tell if it’s the reed flowers tickling your face or if autumn has truly arrived. Calamus and thalia dealbata are still stubbornly growing in the shallows, and a white egret stands on one leg by a rock.
Can you imagine? The Yima River used to be silted up and overgrown with weeds. Now the deep pools, shallow shoals, Mengxi Pond, and Shanying Lake have all returned — and it’s become one of the citizens’ favorite parks.
A Different Kind of Beauty After the Rain
This month has had a lot of rainy days, but sometimes I actually prefer Yima River after a September rain. The air feels washed clean, the pink muhly grass is more subdued, water droplets hang on the reed leaves, and the stone railings on the bridge are slightly cool. Find a quiet spot to sit and watch: elderly folks strolling and chatting (摆龙门阵 — the local art of leisurely gossip), kids playing freely, young people jogging past in a hurry. By the lake, you can look out at the circular sports stadium by Dong’an Lake.
This might be what Chengdu people mean when they talk about a “park city.” I used to think that title sounded grand, but now I feel it’s really just this: greenways downstairs, bridges across the river, flowers with each season, a place for the elderly to rest, a place for kids to run, and a sense of safety for young people on a night run.
So, do you like parks like this?
Practical Info
Address: – Phase One: No. 108-110 Bao’an Temple Road, Longquanyi District (near Longquan Wanda) – Phase Two: East section of Taodu Avenue, Longquanyi District (right next to Dong’an Lake Park)
Tickets: Free
Getting there: Take Metro Line 30 to Longquanyi Railway South Station, exit A. Transfer to Bus 880 and get off at Zhongjie Music Square. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk.
Tips: – For families with kids, Phase Two is your best bet — it has a children’s playground, a large lawn, the famous 3D bridge, and an extreme sports area. – If you love natural scenery, head to Phase One — riverside tree-lined greenways, clear water, small bridges, fewer crowds, and a quiet, peaceful environment.
Pro tip: The pink muhly grass blooms from September to November — if you can, time your visit for a sunny day after rain for the best colors and fewer crowds.
Local insight: Locals call this the “mother river” of Longquanyi. Come on a weekday morning and you’ll have the riverside paths almost to yourself.
So — are you a fan of parks like this?
