James Baquet

    CONTINUING my exploration of the new Metro lines and their destinations, I noted Cuizhu Station on Line 3 (Longgang Line), and decided to take it to Cuizhu Park, named for a species of bamboo.

    But when I left the station’s Exit C, I discovered that it was still a long way to the park’s west entrance. You can take any bus at the Cuizhuyuan (翠竹苑) stop across from the exit, and ride two stops north to Kangning Yiyuan (康宁医院) to save your energy for climbing the mountain.

    Because this park is virtually nothing but a glorious bamboo-covered mountain!

    The West Entrance Plaza, inset with a huge Taiji (yin yang) symbol, is one of the sites of the venerable Luohu Community English Corner, which offers “millions of citizens the opportunity to learn English” (according to the sign).

    About 250 steps up the mountain, I reached the park’s ring road. One way to enjoy the park is to walk this circle, with its gently rising and falling undulations.

    But although I hate exercise, I took the harder route. (I’ll go to great lengths to bring you a report!) After struggling up another 425 or so steps, past flashy blue-and-black butterflies, amidst birdsong and the susurration of wind in the bamboos, I finally reached the summit — only to find that there were more stairs to climb, in the pavilion at the top!

    But it offered great views of Wutong Mountain to the east, and central Luohu (the Diwang Mansion, and so on) to the southwest. Well worth the climb, and the trip back down via a different route to the east gate.