Tang Paradise, also called the Datang Furong Garden, is a themed park in the south of the city, in Qujiang, built on the site of the old Furong Garden, the imperial pleasure ground of the Tang emperors. It opened in the 2000s and recreates the look of the Tang capital, Chang’an, with red-pillared halls, curved-roof pavilions, covered walkways, stone bridges and a large lake, with a tall tower at its centre. Nothing is original, but the scale and detail are impressive, and it gives an easy sense of the Tang aesthetic that the city’s history museums can only describe. The garden is best enjoyed at a gentle pace. By day, there are shaded paths, lotus beds and plenty of places to sit; towards dusk, the buildings are lit and the reflections on the lake turn the whole garden into a postcard. Performances and light displays are held at some times of the year and in some parts of the garden, and there are Tang-style costumes for hire in the surrounding area, which makes the park popular with young Chinese visitors who come to take photographs. It is a lively, slightly theatrical place, and best treated as a pleasant evening outing rather than a serious historic site.
How to visit
Tang Paradise stands beside the Qujiang district’s hotels, including the Hyatt Regency, so it is an easy walk for guests staying in the south. From the old town it is a short taxi ride or a metro journey with a short walk at the end. A ticket for the garden is the simplest start, and some versions include access to selected performances, so check the details before you buy. Entry is usually by ticket or reservation with ID, so carry your passport.
What to expect
Allow two to three hours. Walk the main axis from the entrance, cross to the lake and take a slow loop of the water before the lights come on. Paths are wide and flat, which makes it simple with a stroller or for visitors who do not want a strenuous day, though it can feel long in summer heat.
Food and drink stalls are within and around the garden, and the surrounding Qujiang streets have restaurants, so dinner nearby is easy to organise. Weekends and public holidays are very busy, and the lake edge fills with photographers at dusk.
Making the most of it
Arrive in the late afternoon, so that you see the garden in daylight and then in lights, and pair it with a nearby sight such as the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. In winter, the garden is cold after dark, so dress warmly, and check what is running before building the evening around a specific show. Couples and families find it a pleasant, easy outing, and it suits travellers who want an evening that does not involve a long journey or a big commitment.
Food and snack stalls tend to be priced for tourists, so it is cheaper to eat in the streets around the park before or after. If you are staying nearby, it makes a pleasant second walk on a different evening, as the light changes the mood of the lake completely.
What to expect
The experience
A walk through a Tang-style lakeside garden of pavilions, bridges and towers, best seen from late afternoon into the lit-up evening.
Best time
Late afternoon into dusk, on a weekday if possible.
How long
Two to three hours.
Tips
Arrive before dusk, wear comfortable shoes, check what performances are running, and avoid public holidays.
Quick picks
- Best for
- An easy, scenic evening outing for travellers who want something relaxed after a day of sights.
- Families
- Wide, flat paths and open spaces make it comfortable for children.
- Couples
- The lake at dusk is one of the most romantic corners of the city.
- Pair with
- The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, or dinner in the Qujiang district.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours.
Good questions
What is Tang Paradise?+
It is a themed garden in the Qujiang district, built on the site of the old Tang imperial pleasure garden and designed in Tang-dynasty style, with halls, pavilions, bridges and a large lake.
Is it an original historic site?+
No, the buildings are modern recreations in the Tang style. The garden is a pleasant way to experience the look of the Tang capital, rather than a historic monument.
When is the best time to go?+
Late afternoon is ideal, so you see the garden in daylight and then in lights. Weekdays are calmer, and public holidays are very busy.
Is it near the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda?+
Yes, both are in the south of the city, a short taxi ride apart, and they fit together well in one afternoon and evening.
How does it differ from the Tang dynasty show?+
The garden is an open-air walk with lights and scenery, while the Tang dynasty show is an indoor music and dance performance, often with a dinner. Many visitors enjoy doing one on each evening.
