Zheshan Park

Zheshan Park is a hill park at 345 Jiuhua Road in Jinghu District, Wuhu, Anhui province, China. It rises above the northern part of the city centre and combines walking paths, old trees, historic buildings and a small zoo in one compound. Its best-known sights are Guangji Temple and the Northern Song Zhe Pagoda, both on the hill, along with a memorial hall and viewpoints that look out over the roofs of central Wuhu. Park entry is free according to current listings, and the park is listed as open from early morning, about 04:30, until 22:00. The small zoo inside runs on shorter hours, around 08:00 to 17:30 with last entry at 16:00, and charges about ¥14 with half price for children; a funicular is available for an extra fare paid at the ticket window. Many visitors simply climb the stepped paths, which are shaded and not especially long. A full visit that includes the temple, pagoda, viewpoints and a stroll through the zoo usually takes two to three hours. Early mornings are lively with local residents practising tai chi, dancing, singing and exercising, which gives the park a strong local character. The most photogenic scenes are the pagoda against the trees, the temple roofs, and city views from the upper paths on a clear day. Weekends and public holidays are busiest, especially around the temple and zoo, while weekday mornings are calm. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather for climbing; summer can be hot and humid, so morning visits are better. Zheshan Park is about ten minutes by taxi from Wuhu Railway Station and makes a natural half-day pairing with the nearby shopping district.