Backgrounded by the ancient city wall, city tower, moat and Jiulong Bridge, Jiulongyuan Park is located on the eastern embankment of the moat, facing the statue of Quyuan in the north and Jinfeng Square in the south. It is a large public leisure and recreation place with beautiful environment, profound cultural heritage and splendid conditions.

Jiulongyuan Park covers an area of 326,000 square meters and is the venue for the China Dragon Boat Open tournament which occupies a 1100 metres long competition lane from the Jiulong Bridge in the north to the Gongan Gate in the south. On both sides of the lane, 2600 metres granite railings and 3000 metres standard stands are erected.Additionally, the grand water background drama "Liu Bei's wedding ceremony" is also held in the park.

Golden Phoenix Square is the largest urban green space and leisure plaza in Hubei Province at present. In 2008, the starting point of the Beijing Olympic torch relay at Jingzhou Station in Hubei Province was just Golden Phoenix Square. In the center of the square, the Soaring Golden Phoenix Sculpture, representing as the symbol of Jingzhou.

2008 Beijing Olympic Torch Relay

On June 2nd, 2008, the Beijing Olympic torch relay continued its "harmonious journey" in Jingzhou City, Hubei Province. The starting ceremony of the torch relay was located in the Golden Phoenix Square. The famous gymnast, Olympic champion Zheng Lihui, served as the first torchbearer of the day, the Greek Ambassador in China H.E.Mr. Michael Kambanis who came from the Olympic homeland carried the torch as the third torchbearer. He was also the only "ambassadorial torchbearer" of the torch relay in China. In an interview with the media, he expressed his great honor that the torch relay was actually a cultural relay between the two ancient civilizations.

Jingzhou International Dragon Boat Race

In 2000, the first International Dragon Boat Festival was held in Jingzhou. The grand dragon boat named "Jingzhou" created the Guinness Book of Records.

In 2001, the National Tourism Administration, the State Sports General Administration and the Hubei Provincial Government once again co-hosted the "China Jingzhou International Dragon Boat Festival" with 31 dragon boat teams from the United States, Australia, Malaysia and Europe. Then in 2015, the launching ceremony of the China Dragon Boat Open was held in Jingzhou as well. So far, 12 large-scale dragon boat races have been held here, which has formed a brand effect with great influence and greatly enhanced the popularity of Jingzhou.