Written by Jasmine Miao |
When talking about parks, people would naturally think it’s a patch of greenery in the city, a place for walking or spending leisure time. But except for these purpose, Chengdu People’s Park (Renmin Park) serves functions and significance beyond that. And if you go ask people on the streets what it means to the city, they’ll probably tell you that this park is the living heart of Chengdu’s local culture, where the city’s typical laid-back rhythm and “slow life” philosophy unfold naturally, day after day, year after year. Here, history flows in the tranquil landscapes, while people sip tea and dance around.
With all of these unique experiences, some may ask, is it free to visit this park? Well, unlike the common tourist attractions, People’s Park remains free to enter and deeply rooted in everyday life. For travelers seeking an authentic way to understand Chengdu’s lifestyle and traditions, Renmin Park offers the best insight.
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- Chengdu People’s Park at a Glance
- A Brief History of Chengdu People’s Park
- Top Things to Do in People’s Park: A Cultural Immersion
- Who Will Enjoy People’s Park?
- How to Get to People’s Park Chengdu
- Best Time to Visit
- Nearby Attractions That You Can Easily Reach From People’s Park
- Plan A Relaxing Chengdu Tour with China Xian Tour
Chengdu People’s Park at a Glance
- Chinese Name: 人民公园 (Renmin Park). Also historically known as Shaocheng Park
- Address: 12 Shaocheng Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu (city center location)
- Size: About 112,000 square meters
- Established: 1911
- How Long to Spend: 1–2 hours for a casual walk; Half a day if you want to slow down properly.
- Tickets: Free entry on most days; Small entrance fee may apply during major flower shows or festivals
A Brief History of Chengdu People’s Park
Originally, Chengdu People’s Park was called Shaocheng Park (少城公园), boasting one of the earliest parks in China. It was founded in 1911, when the city was divided into Dacheng and Shaocheng. The park was part of Shaocheng, which was exclusively for people of the Manchu Plain Blue Banner (one of the Eight Banners during the Qing Dynasty). At that time, the park was established to ease ethnic conflicts while providing means of livelihood for the people of the banner men, as only they were allowed to make business in this area. And most importantly, this move was also a response to the trend of building public recreational spaces. As an open recreational space for all the local residents, it soon enhanced people’s communications and connections.
During the Republic of China era, the park was continuously expanded, and witnessed the erection of many monuments, like the Xinhai Railway Protection Movement Memorial.
After 1949, the park was renamed Renmin Park (人民公园, people’s park), and this change marks the park’s new role as an urban space for everyone, no matter who you are or where you are from, you can all enjoy your time here. Over the decades, it has been restored and improved, yet its core identity—a blend of culture, history, and everyday life—remains unchanged. Today, it stands as a living testament to Chengdu’s past and a beloved stage of daily local life.
Top Things to Do in People’s Park: A Cultural Immersion
1. Experience Chengdu’s Tea Rituals Like a Local
Tea drinking is the core of daily life in Chengdu People’s Park. For locals, coming here is not about sightseeing but more about sitting down and letting time slow itself.
One of the most iconic places to experience this tea ritual is Heming Teahouse. It is the park’s historic heart and one of the best-preserved traditional teahouses in the city. For many people, visit Heming Teahouse has became a can’t-miss during their Chengdu tour. Heming has stood here for nearly a century, but as days pass, it still stays lively rather than getting quiet. And indeed, it can be said as a “noisy” place: conversations overlap, tea lids clink, and servers move constantly, refilling hot water without being asked. However, these “noises” will never annoy you but instead lead you to a more immersive Chengdu teahouse vibe.
The tea ritual is simple and easy to follow. You can take any empty seat (if possible, go inside to find a riverside place), and the server will bring a cup with tea leaves and a bottle of hot water to you. However, if the servers are too busy, you may need to find them yourself and tell them where you sit and which type of tea you want. Refills are unlimited, and popular choices include jasmine tea and local Zhuyeqing green tea. There are also some smaller teahouses and tea stalls around the lake that offer a calmer atmosphere, often favored by locals who come every day.
Some teahouses, like Heming Tea House, will offer Sichuan face-changing or local music performances for an additional ¥30–50 per show.
2. Witness (or Even Try) the Famous Ear Cleaning
Once you sit there, you would notice some practitioners carrying rolls of slender metal tools, moving quietly from table to table. The service they provide is ear cleaning (采耳), a traditional practice that combines hygiene with relaxation. The practitioner will use delicate instruments to gently clean and massage the customer’s ear canal, and this is a soothing process.
Prices are usually modest, around RMB 30–100, depending on the service (there will normally be a service list stuck on the table). The experience is not painful but ticklish. And watching others receive the treatment is almost as interesting as trying it yourself.
Hygiene tip: Reputable teahouses and licensed practitioners use disposable instruments. Always confirm before participating, and if they don’t, it is not recommended to experience this.
3. Walk into Chengdu People’s Social Life in the Weekend Marriage Market
On weekends, part of People’s Park will be lit up by the well-known Marriage Market. A lot of people, whether they want a matchmaker or not, will come to this place and take a look. This corner might give you the most interesting and candid glimpse into modern Chinese family dynamics. Parents or those who are looking for a relationship themselves would gather to find suitable partners, displaying profiles with striking honesty (all the displayed forms need to get an official registration). Occasionally, you may even spot profiles written in English, and some people will chat in English when discussing potential matches, making the scene surprisingly accessible for foreign visitors.
Everyone would patiently scan rows of profiles and have conversations. However, except for the lively atmosphere, this scene also reflects real social pressures. Long work hours leave only limited opportunities for people to meet partners. Also, you may notice a lot of forms written by middle-aged or even elder groups, and many of them have shown a deep sense of companionship, especially in old ages.
4. Soak Up the Lively Local Activities
Beyond tea and matchmaking, People’s Park functions as an open living room for Chengdu’s retirees. From day to night, many local elderly people would gather here, practicing tai chi, playing chess, singing in choirs, or simply stretching and chatting under the trees. And we have once seen a senior band performing there. Among all these activities, square dancing (广场舞) is the most visible and energetic presence.
You should have head China’s square dancing on the internet, and it has already been spread worldwide as a popular activity for middle-aged and elderly people. After retirement, many people of this group feel a loss and desire a social connection. Group activities like square dancing soon fill this gap by offering fixed routines, familiar faces, and a strong sense of belonging. The dancing movements are gentle but rhythmic, combining light cardio with joint-friendly exercise, while music—often nostalgic or popular on internet—creates an emotional anchor. Across China, this phenomenon has become a nationwide cultural feature, and in Chengdu, People’s Park remains one of the most natural places to observe it, free from performance or staging
Watching these gatherings helps visitors understand why locals return here daily: not for scenery alone, but for community and shared time.
5. Play Mahjong the Chengdu Way
Mahjong is a typical pastime for Sichuan people, and it’s also everywhere in Chengdu. When visiting People’s Park, you’ll actually see how deeply it is woven into daily life. Locals usually play Mahjong under the trees and inside teahouses and the game will be punctuated by laughter, teasing, and the sharp clack of tiles.
In Chengdu, mahjong is also about companionship. Except for getting the final win, the process is just as important since games often last for hours, and during this time, they’ll always be accompanied by tea and conversation. So players come as much for social connection as for the game itself. For many retirees, it is a way to stay mentally active while maintaining close friendships.
You can also join them even if you don’t know the rules. For those interested, our local guide can introduce Chengdu-style mahjong to you and help you understand the etiquette and humor behind the table.
6. Other Small Pleasures Worth Noticing
Beyond its lively social scenes, People’s Park also offers a quieter experience. Just like many other large parks, People’s Park also has a tranquil central lake. It allows visitors to have simple paddle-boat rides, which is a popular activity among families and couples. If you’re traveling with your kids, you can go and have a look at the children’s playground.
These smaller details make the park welcoming across generations, and your time here never feels idle. Visitors can mix and match simple pleasures to create a personalized Chengdu experience. And now, if you still hold the question of whether People’s Park is worth visiting, then we can so firmly give you the answer: yes, it is.
Useful tips for these activities:
- Paddle boat rides: Around ¥20–30 per 30 minutes
- Children’s playground: Free to use.
Who Will Enjoy People’s Park?
- Cultural Enthusiasts: You can explore Chengdu’s tea culture and local life at the closest distance.
- Travelers Needing a Break: Chengdu is famous for its slow-paced life. In People’s Park, you can relax under trees with green tea, paddle on the central lake, or watch locals dancing or playing.
- Families with Children: Kids can enjoy playgrounds and paddle boatshere, while adults relax nearby.
- Photographers & Nature Lovers: Here, people can capture seasonal flowers, bonsai, streams, and lively local scenes throughout the year.
- Those who like people-watching: Here, you can just sit still and watching locals do various activities. It is good way to get relaxed.
How to Get to People’s Park Chengdu
- By Metro: Metro is the easiest way to travel in the city. Take Chengdu Metro Line 2 and get off at People’s Park Station. And only another 2-minute walk can take you to the front gate.
- By Bus: Multiple city buses stop near the park along Shangcheng Road, which is alsoeasy for local connections (Route 5, 13, 43).
- By Taxi / Ride-Hailing: Direct access from anywhere in Chengdu city center.
Best Time to Visit
People’s Park can be enjoyed year-round, but each season offers a slightly different experience. Spring brings colorful blooms and there will be a spring flower show. Summer is perfect for relaxing by the pond, enjoying lotus flowers, or sipping tea in the shade (however, expect rather hot temperatures). Autumn is ideal for the famous chrysanthemum show, which adds vibrant colors to the park’s paths and gardens.
Weekends are lively, especially for the Marriage Market and group activities like square dancing. Mornings and late afternoons are generally quieter on weekdays, ideal for a peaceful stroll or a relaxing tea break. Visiting at these times allows you to enjoy both the natural beauty and the social life of Chengdu locals.
Related reading: Chengdu Weather and Best Time to Visit Chengdu
Nearby Attractions That You Can Easily Reach From People’s Park
- Kuanzhai Alley(宽窄巷子): ~1 km / 15 min walk. A historic district of three parallel alleys, and it has a history back to the Qing dynasty. It’s also one of the must-visits in Chengdu, it can be quite interesting to explore the ancient-style buildings here and experience traditional Chengdu life.
- Jinli Old Street(锦里古街): ~2 km / 15 min drive. This is also a lively pedestrian street full of Sichuan snacks and souvenirs. The night-time lanterns create a charming atmosphere, perfect for an evening stroll.
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage(杜甫草堂): ~5 km / 20 min drive. This site is the serene former residence of Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful garden and insight into China’s literary heritage.
Plan A Relaxing Chengdu Tour with China Xian Tour
Compared to other major cities in China, Chengdu is a place with ultimate relaxing vibe. Here, even time would slow down its pace, and people have also planted that leisurely attitude in their bodies. And except for such a touristy park, there are still many attractions worth visiting, such as Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli Old street mentioned above. They all provide a glimpse of Chengdu’s history, cultural heritage and also, local life. To better enjoy this city’s beauty, you can choose China Xian Tour as your best travel partner. Your private guide will tell you every hidden stories of the attractions and ensuring you a pleasant and rewarding trip to Chengdu.
