Bo Mountain
⭐ 3.80
Bo Mountain Scenic Area, Qingjiangpu District, Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province, China
**Ancient Roots and Daoist Heritage**
Bochi Mountain—literally "Bowl Mountain" for its distinctive basin shape—has been venerated for over two millennia as one of Daoism's "72 Blessed Lands," a concept roughly akin to the sacred groves of ancient Greece or the holy sites of Celtic legend. According to tradition, Prince Qiao, son of King Ling of Zhou, practiced alchemy here and ascended to immortality, giving rise to the famous Chinese saying that "when one person achieves enlightenment, even the chickens and dogs rise to heaven." Though the original hill was long eroded, it was carefully reconstructed in 2005, and the park went on to host the Jiangsu Provincial Garden Exposition.
**Monumental Sculpture and Architecture**
The park's unmissable centerpiece is a 19-meter bronze statue of Laozi, the semi-legendary founder of Daoism and author of the *Tao Te Ching*, crafted by celebrated Chinese sculptor Wu Weishan. Inside its hollow interior, the entire text of the *Tao Te Ching* is engraved—a feat of artistry reminiscent of the hidden inscriptions within Western cathedral spires. Surrounding pavilions such as Zhaoyin Terrace and Fenghuang Dan Platform echo the harmony of classical Chinese garden design, while the Thirteen Cities Landscape Zone distills the finest garden traditions of Jiangsu province into a single walkable circuit.
**Natural Beauty Through the Seasons**
Shanzi Lake covers nearly half the park's footprint, creating a landscape that recalls the great European lake gardens such as those at Versailles or Munich's English Garden. Spring brings brilliant tulip carpets; summer fills the water with lotus blossoms; autumn paints the hillsides in fiery maple; and winter offers crisp, contemplative walks. A 4-kilometer lakeside fitness path circles the water, while a sandy "Gold Beach" area invites families to wade and play.
**Culture and Ecology Intertwined**
From the mountaintop, visitors can gaze over a landscape deliberately arranged in the shape of the yin-yang taiji symbol—a layout with no real parallel in Western park design. Bird-watching pavilions and protected islets make the lake a surprisingly rich urban wildlife habitat, ideal for spotting herons, kingfishers, and seasonal migrants. The park thus fuses philosophical contemplation with hands-on nature observation in a way few city parks manage.
**Practical Visiting Tips**
Entry is completely free, with no reservations required, though visitors are advised to leave before 9 PM. The North Gate is served by tram and buses 3, 23, 50, and 91; the South and East Gates offer free parking and are best reached by car or bus 8, 18, or 32. Late afternoon arrival is recommended to avoid midday heat and to catch the golden-hour light on the bronze Laozi statue. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.
**Why Visit and What Lies Nearby**
Bochi Mountain Park offers something rare: a genuine slice of contemporary Chinese urban life filtered through a 2,500-year-old philosophical tradition. Just outside the gates, the ancient Li Canal Cultural Corridor reveals Huai'an's role as a historic Grand Canal hub—China's answer to Venice. A short ride further brings you to Hexia Old Town, where you can round off the day with classic Huaiyang cuisine, the same refined culinary school that once fed Qing dynasty emperors.