A Tang Dynasty garden, East Lake is a representative of classical Western Sichuan gardens.
Experience the tranquility and elegance of a thousand-year-old Tang Dynasty garden and appreciate the unique charm of classical Western Sichuan gardens.
Although Xinfan East Lake is not well-known, it is a hidden gem among classical gardens in western Sichuan. The thousand-year-old trees and the Tang Dynasty garden layout are stunning, and the sparse crowds add to its tranquility. If you want to avoid the crowds and savor the beauty of classical gardens, this is a good choice.
Tickets & Transport
Tickets
- Free
- Yes
Opening Hours
- Last entry
- 17:00
- Opening notes
- Opening hours may change with the seasons; we recommend calling ahead to confirm before your visit.
Best Time to Visit
- Best time of day
- Early morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft and crowds are at their thinnest.
- Best day of week
- Weekdays
- Best season
- Spring (March–April) and autumn (September–November)
- Avoid times
- Midday on public holidays
- Avoid days
- Public holidays
- Crowd level
- Low
- Crowd peak time
- 10:00–15:00 on public holidays
Getting There
- Metro station
- Xindu Bell Tower Station
- Metro line
- Line 3
- Metro exit
- Exit A
- Metro distance
- 8km
- Metro walk
- Requires a bus transfer or taxi ride from the station.
In Detail
Xinfan East Lake was first built in the Tang Dynasty and is one of the oldest existing classical gardens in the western Sichuan region, with a history of over a thousand years. It is said to have been built by Li Deyu, a prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, when he served as the county magistrate of Xinfan. It has been repaired and renovated through successive dynasties, preserving the garden layout and cultural heritage from the Tang and Song dynasties. Centered on the lake, the garden is surrounded by pavilions, terraces, towers, winding bridges, and corridors, with a spacious and elegant layout—a typical literati garden of western Sichuan.
The garden is lush with ancient trees, especially the thousand-year-old cypress and nanmu trees. With dappled shadows and shimmering lake water, the scenery changes with the seasons. In spring, peach blossoms and willows reflect on the water; in summer, lotus breeze brings coolness; in autumn, osmanthus fragrance fills the garden; in winter, wintersweet blooms defiantly against the snow. The entire garden is tranquil and serene, full of poetic charm. Strolling through it, you can feel the legacy of Tang Dynasty gardening and the unique flavor of western Sichuan gardens.
Although East Lake is not large in area, every step offers a new scene, and craftsmanship is visible everywhere. Attractions such as the Mid-Lake Pavilion, Willow Embankment, Stone Boat, and Stele Corridor are arranged in a pleasing patchwork, with numerous inscriptions and poems, exuding a rich cultural atmosphere. With few visitors, it is a great place to escape the noise and savor the garden in tranquility, suitable for travelers who appreciate classical gardens and cultural history.
What to expect
Visitors can stroll along garden paths shaded by towering ancient trees, admire classical structures such as the Mid-Lake Pavilion, Stone Boat, and Stele Corridor, and experience the enduring style of a Tang Dynasty garden. The garden features different floral landscapes in every season: peach blossoms and willows in spring, lotus blossoms with their fragrance in summer, osmanthus filling the garden in autumn, and wintersweet braving the snow in winter. The whole garden is quiet and serene, with few visitors, making it ideal for a leisurely walk and photo opportunities.
How to visit
It is recommended to set aside half a day for the visit. Starting from downtown Chengdu, you can take the metro or bus to Xindu District, then transfer to a bus or taxi to Xinfan Subdistrict. Once inside, take a leisurely walk around the lake, visiting the Mid-Lake Pavilion, Willow Embankment, Stele Corridor, and other sights in sequence, and finally rest for a while at the tearoom in the garden.
Pros
Long history and rich cultural heritage
Tranquil environment with few visitors
Exquisite garden suitable for all seasons
Affordable ticket prices
Cons
Relatively remote location with inconvenient transportation
Small garden area with short visiting time
Limited dining options nearby
Highlights
- Thousand-year-old cypress and nanmu trees, over a thousand years old, with lush foliage
- Tang Dynasty garden layout with exquisite arrangement of pavilions, terraces, towers, winding bridges, and corridors
- Lake scenery and seasonal flowers and trees complement each other beautifully
- Inscriptions and poems from various dynasties, rich in cultural atmosphere
- Few visitors and a tranquil environment, ideal for a mindful visit
FAQ
Does Xinfan East Lake require an admission ticket?
Xinfan East Lake is a free scenic area; no ticket is required to enter.
What is the best season to visit Xinfan East Lake?
It's enjoyable year-round — admire peach blossoms and willows in spring, lotus in summer, osmanthus fragrance in autumn, and wintersweet in winter, each with its own charm.
How do I get to Xinfan East Lake from downtown Chengdu?
Take Metro Line 3 to Xindu Bell Tower Station, then transfer to Bus X44 or take a taxi; alternatively, you can take a taxi directly, about 40–50 minutes.
Field Tips
Best photo spot 1. Mid-Lake Pavilion: The pavilion is reflected in the water, surrounded by ancient trees, making it the garden's iconic view. 2. Thousand-Year-Old Cypress: The ancient cypress is tall and sturdy, with dappled shadows, perfect for traditional-style portraits. 3. Willow Embankment: The weeping willows sway and the lake shimmers, especially beautiful in spring when willow catkins drift. 4. Stelae Corridor: Displaying stone inscriptions from various dynasties, the interplay of light and shadow makes it ideal for capturing cultural details.
Best entrance Main entrance (East Gate)
Best exit Main entrance (East Gate)
Location & Nearby
Nearby attractions
- Sandaoyan Scenic Area (6.4 km)
- Sandaoyan Qinggangshu Scenic Area (7.1 km)
- Quanying Lihua Scenic Area (7.6 km)
- Chengdu Sichuan Cuisine Museum (8.8 km)
- Tianfu Vegetable Fragrance Expo Park Scenic Area (10.8 km)