Chongqing’s Barren Hill Transformed into a Blossoming Tourist Attraction

Chongqing - Chongqing's Tiaodun River Park in the Liangjiang New Area is now home to thousands of blooming plum blossoms, attracting visitors from all over the city to capture the perfect photo for social media platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu.

As soon as you step into the park, the sweet scent of plum blossoms fills the air, and the view of the surrounding hills covered with blossoms is simply breathtaking. Despite the crowds, visitors can also capture their perfect shot with their cameras or phones, while professional photographers, with their equipment, work diligently to get the best possible shot.

But it's hard to imagine that this park was just a desolate hill a few years ago, with poor water quality and overgrown weeds along the riverbank.

In October 2019, the Liangjiang New Area launched the Tiaodun River watershed comprehensive environmental improvement project to create a "clear river for fish to swim in, a green corridor for open sharing, and a comfortable and ecological space for people to enjoy."

"After a series of measures, we have successfully transformed this area, which was previously difficult for citizens to access and not worth visiting, into a city community waterfront park with clear water, green shores, and a place to enjoy flowers and leisure activities," said a spokesperson from the Chongqing Municipal Management Center.

"As the temperature rises, nearly a thousand more plum blossoms and peach blossoms will bloom in the coming weeks, and we welcome citizens to come and visit," the spokesperson added.

Bian Jing and Wu Mingzhu are Hanfu enthusiasts who have purchased hundreds of traditional Chinese costumes. Whenever the weather is good, they visit picturesque places to take photos in their outfits. She came here after seeing videos of the park on Douyin a few days ago and was excited to take some beautiful photos.

"My boyfriend and I drove past here and saw the blooming plum blossoms, which gave us a feeling of being in a fairy tale. We decided to come and take a look, enjoy the flowers, and take some photos. It's truly a feast for the eyes," said Hou Yanxin, a Chongqing resident.

According to the spokesperson for the Liangjiang New Area Municipal Management Center, they have made extensive preparations to provide better experiences for visitors. "For example, we have increased the number of security guards, cleaners, and volunteers who introduce visitors to the seasonal plants and flowers and advise them on how to protect them," the spokesperson said. In addition, the area has installed trash cans every 20-30 meters to keep the park clean.