Spring Songs in Xinhui — Catching the End of the Red Foliage Season at Shijian Park
I had to leave and return to Xinhui in order to have a proper meal. I checked the Gaode Map App and realized that I could in fact walk from Lvmei Ecological Park to Shijian Park, which was what I intended to see next. The walk would have taken about 45 minutes. However, I must have food before I do this kind of walk. The final decision was to call a driver to take me back to Xinhui.
The Lvmei Ecological Park, despite being a hot tourist destination, was not a kind of location for which drivers were readily available. I had to wait about half an hour before being picked up.
It took about 20 minutes of a drive from Xinhui to Shijian Park. I was really hoping that I got to see the very last bit of red foliage by the reservoir. It turned out to be a good decision.
The day of the visit was January 24, 2025. There was no admissions fee to enter the reservoir.
The Shijian Reservoir
There does not seem to be much information about the Shijian Reservoir, except that it cost 20 million yuan to build, and that a scenic area was established to make it a beautiful site for leisure.
I think the best thing to do at Shijian Park is to do the around-the-reservoir loop walk. The instructions say it takes 50 minutes. However, given the beautiful scenery, allow for about a little less than two hours for both photography and a leisurely stop to have chenpi tea at the tea house.
An Around-the-Reservoir Loop Walk
About 10 minutes after you start the walk at the entrance to the Shijian Park, you will come across the river boardwalk. The sign calls it “Woodon Path.” This is the scenic walking route that takes you to along the reservoir’s bank, the grassy open area, with some river views and the tea house by the reservoir.
The tea house is surrounded by bald cypress, the foliage of which remained red when I went. I was exceedingly lucky to have come at the crossover moment between winter and spring. In this trip I managed to see a sea of purple tabebuia flowers and red foliage.
The bald cypress views are usually exceedingly beautiful because this type of tree can grow submerged in the water. As such, a lot of the bald cypress views are also waterfront views.
After visiting the tea house, go on further and the path will take you to the dam. Walk across and you will be back to the entrance of the Shijian Park.
Next Stop — Yamen Fort
As said in the last entry, if you plan on calling Didi car, be prepared that you have to wait a little before a driver is nearby to pick up your order.
The day was becoming a little bit chilly as dusk will befall in two hours. I hadn’t decided on this when I planned my itinerary, but I wanted to see the Yamen Fort in the southern part of Xinhui. In my last trip to Jiangmen last year, I had not had the chance to visit this old fort. I finally get to do so.
