Changpu River Park

To the east of the Tiananmen Gate, lies the Chuangpu River Park. In 2002, stone slabs on top of the river were removed. The river is the east section of the Golden Water River and a part of the imperial water source. It originated from the Xiyuan, Central Lake in the Imperial City, running in front of the Tiananmen Gate and going east along the south side of the Imperial City wall. It goes into the imperial river in the east. The river is 510 meters long, 12 meters wide and 1.5 – 2 meters deep. The park is built on the site of the river, covering an area of 38,000 square meters. Carp and red fish swim to and fro in the river. There are more than 60 ancient trees by the river with large quantity of flowers, grass and trees. The major sceneries in the park are “Spring on the Changpu River”, “Bronze Sluice Gate in between Two Dragons Mouths” (“Heavenly Concubine & Sluice Gate Shadow”), “Nostalgia of the Past by the Red Walls” and “Rainbow bridge High up in the Sky” (“Lingxu Pavilion and Flying Rainbow Bridge”). The Imperial Art Museum was set up inside the park in 2003.