Nanhu Park (South Lake Park)

Nanhu Park, or South Lake Park, is a large lakeside city park at No. 2715 Gongnong Road in Chaoyang District, Changchun, Jilin province. It is one of the city's best-loved public green spaces and works as the main everyday outdoor destination for residents in the south of the centre. The park is organised around a large lake, with tree-lined paths, bridges, pavilions and open lawns, and it changes character completely through the year. Visitors can walk the lakeshore, rent a boat for about ¥30-50 per hour, visit the botanical garden for about ¥20-30, or simply sit and watch the activities of local residents, who use the park for exercise, music and games. Seasonal highlights are the main reasons to plan a visit. April and May bring blossom along the lake, late September and October colour the birches and maples in gold and red, and in winter the lake freezes and a skating rink operates on the ice. Most areas of the park are free to enter, so it makes a low-cost addition to a day in the city, and a typical visit lasts two to three hours. Opening is year-round, with extra charges only for boats, rides and the botanical garden. Weekends and fine-weather holidays are the busiest, with crowds at the boat rental points and along the main promenade, whereas weekday mornings are quiet and ideal for photography. Photographers favour the lake edge in early morning for reflections and mist, and the autumn colour in late afternoon light. Buses 62, 230, 232 and 270 pass the park, and a Didi from the railway station costs about ¥15. Winter visitors should dress warmly and check the condition of the ice rink before planning skating.