Plan at a glance
A separate garden with a south entrance
The Ancient Lotus Pond is at 246 Yuhua West Road in Lianchi District, Baoding. The usual entrance is the south gate. It faces the Zhili Governor-General's Office, but the two sites have separate tickets, entrances, and opening hours. Check each site's schedule if visiting both.
The garden has ponds, pavilions, an inscription gallery, and a former academy site. A quick loop takes about 1 hour; a slower visit takes 1.5–2 hours. Add time to cross the road and visit the Governor-General's Office if you plan to combine them.
Tickets and opening hours
The reference adult ticket price is CNY 30; students pay half price. Discounts for seniors and children depend on age and ID. Reservations are available through the “Le Xiang Ji” mini program. Check whether a reservation is required on your visit date, especially for a weekend evening session.
Reference hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with last entry at 5:30 p.m. Evening sessions on summer or weekends are occasional; confirm the date and time before planning a night visit.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Shuixinting, Wanhong Bridge, and the lotus ponds
Shuixinting and Wanhong Bridge are in the main area for pond and garden views. June to August is the lotus season, with the fullest blooms usually in July and August. Visit in the morning for more open flowers; some buds may close later in the day.
The inscription gallery and former library
The garden has more than 140 inscriptions. In the gallery, look for a poem inscription by Wang Yangming and a Buddhist sutra pillar inscribed in the Tangut script (西夏文经幢). These displays suit visitors interested in calligraphy, inscriptions, or the history of the academy. The former Zhili Library is an early public library building in northern China, with a blend of Chinese and Western architectural features. View it from outside; interior access depends on the day's arrangement.
Chunwupo and Zhuojinting
Chunwupo and Zhuojinting stand along the lakeside loop and can be visited with Shuixinting and Wanhong Bridge. They offer places to pause by the water or take garden photographs.
Build your day
Around the lake in about 1 hour
Enter through the south gate and follow the path on the left counterclockwise. Pass Chunwupo and Zhuojinting, pause around Shuixinting and Wanhong Bridge, then walk to the exterior of the former Zhili Library and return to the south gate. Follow the open path; the loop takes about 1 hour.
A slower visit: 1.5–2 hours
Follow the counterclockwise route at a slower pace. Spend time in the inscription gallery, then pause by the ponds and pavilions for photographs. If a tea stand is open, you can take a break there; check its current menu and prices.
Combine it with the Governor-General's Office
The Zhili Governor-General's Office is across the road. Visit either site first, then cross to the other. They have separate tickets. Allow 1–2 hours for the Lotus Pond in addition to your time at the Governor-General's Office, and check Monday closures and last-entry times at both sites.
Get there
Bus
Take bus 1, 4, or 8 in central Baoding to Gulianhuachi (古莲花池) stop, then walk to the south gate. If continuing to the Governor-General's Office, exit the garden and walk across the road. Check current bus routes and stops for your travel date.
Driving and nearby walks
Parking is limited in the old city, and nearby streets are narrow. Check which public parking lots are open that day, then walk to the south gate. Follow the posted parking location and rates.
Know before you go
Lotus season and garden paths
Sun can be strong beside the water in summer, so bring sun protection and drinking water. Morning is better for seeing open lotus flowers; some close later in the day. After rain, stone paths and bridges can be slippery. Stay on the paths and watch the steps beside the water.
Evening visits, refreshments, and nearby stops
Weekend evening sessions and mini-program reservation rules can change. Confirm whether an evening visit is running and its hours before you go. Tea or rest areas may open in different locations and at different times; do not plan around a specific tea house.
Restaurants are available around the garden. Xidajie, the Bell Tower, and Daci Pavilion are walkable outdoor stops; check each site's hours and arrange your return transport.