Accidentally Discovered the Free Side Quest of Tengwang Pavilion! A Night Adventure in the North Garden

1. A Millennium "Hidden Gem" Journey
"Sunset clouds fly with a lone duck, autumn water mirrors the boundless sky"—the breathtaking scenery described by Wang Bo 1300 years ago now has a free viewing alternative!

After strolling from Wanshou Palace Station to Tengwang Pavilion's main gate, I spotted the ¥50 ticket sign and swiftly turned right, heading straight for the secret North Garden entrance as per the guide:
1️⃣ Navigate to "Mercure Nanchang Tengwang Pavilion," cross the traffic light to find a small riverside gate (like an entrance to Inception);
2️⃣ Or pretend to pass by the South Gate ticket checkpoint, walk briskly along the river for 100 meters, and discover an entire Tang Dynasty hidden behind a rusty iron door!

2. Three Surprises from Roaming the North Garden
📍 Surprise 1: The "Free" Side View of the Pavilion
Use the red corridor as a frame—the main pavilion hangs at a 45° angle in the twilight, appearing even more majestic than the front view!
Light-up moment (18:30): The golden roof and vermilion railings ignite instantly, as if transporting you back to a Tang Dynasty night banquet.

📍 Surprise 2: Poetic Easter Eggs Along the River
Walk along the riverside path to the "Moon Ball" sculpture and look back—the main pavilion and Bayi Bridge form a surreal frame, blending modern steel with ancient eaves!
Wait for sunset to see the Gan River shimmer with golden light, and imagine Wang Bo himself marveling here: "Absolutely stunning!"

📍 Surprise 3: Pavilion Vibes Straight Out of a Period Drama
The North Garden is serene and uncrowded. The octagonal pavilion and stone lanterns exude ancient charm—just lean your phone against a pillar for a *Longest Day in Chang'an*–worthy shot.

3. Locals' Insider Tips
🚴 Transportation Hack:
Exit at Wanshou Palace Station Exit 3 → Ride a shared bike to "Xinzhou Cultural Plaza" to park → 5-minute walk to the North Garden, perfectly avoiding the main gate's parking woes!

📸 Photography Secrets:
Spot 1: Shoot upward at the corridor's end, capturing eaves piercing the sunset clouds;
Spot 2: Low-angle shot on riverside steps, with the pavilion's reflection dipping into the Gan River;
Ultimate Easter Egg: Behind the old locust tree near the iron gate, snap Tengwang Pavilion and Shengjin Tower together across time!

4. Blunt Verdict
Paying ¥50 to enter the pavilion is for nostalgia; exploring the North Garden is wisdom!
While tourists jostle on the pavilion's top, I claimed the riverside sunset as my own,
munching on ¥3 sugar cakes and laughing at the world—thanks to Wang Bo's 1300-year promo, I scored this Tang Dynasty sunset for free.

Practical Info
🎫 Admission: Free! No reservation needed
⏰ Lighting: 18:30-22:00 (30 mins earlier in summer)
🚫 Pitfall: Main pavilion closes at 21:00, but the North Garden stays open until lights-out!
🍢 Midnight Snack Easter Egg: After shooting, head to Wanshou Palace for Ying Sao's spicy boiled treats—¥20 per person, soul-shakingly delicious!

Post by wonderful day&& | Aug 9, 2025