Hongshan Park

红山公园

A red rock park in the city centre; the Qing-era Zhenlong Pagoda and Viewing Tower on its summit overlook all of Ürümqi, making it the city's emblem and residents' back garden.

Hongshan Park lies in the city centre, on the east bank of the Ürümqi River (now a riverside expressway). It is named after its red sandstone mountain, whose summit is about 910 meters above sea level, roughly 100 meters above the city. It is the emblem of Ürümqi, and the city's coat of arms features Hongshan. Highlights include the Zhenlong Pagoda on the summit, built in the Qing dynasty's Qianlong era to suppress a legend about 'Hongshan and Yamaliq Mountain closing in together'; the brick pagoda is about 10 meters tall. The Viewing Tower is a three-story pavilion in ancient style, from which you can take in the city 360 degrees, looking south to the Bogda Peak of the Tian Shan and north to the city's high-rises. Other attractions include a statue of Lin Zexu, who was exiled to Xinjiang; the Great Buddha Temple beneath the Hongshan Pagoda; and gardens, an amusement park and a lake on the mountainside. The park is free to enter. Climbing to the top from the south gate by stairs or the winding road takes about 20–30 minutes, and climbing the Viewing Tower costs a small extra fee. The best time to visit is the evening: in summer the sun sets around 22:00, so you can watch the sunset and the city lights from the summit. Below the mountain, the Hongshan shopping district and Youhao Road are local commercial areas with many restaurants nearby. Getting there: Metro Line 1 to Nanmen station, about a 10-minute walk, or take the bus to the 'Hongshan' stop. From the Grand Bazaar, a taxi takes about 15 minutes. Notes: the summit is windy. In summer the midday sun is intense, so choose early morning or evening. Local visitors are numerous on holidays. It makes a relaxed plan for the day you arrive in Ürümqi or the day before you leave.

Hongshan Park

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