Xiaolianzhuang, also known as ‘Liu Garden’, is the private garden of Liu Yong, a wealthy merchant in Nanxun during the Qing Dynasty. It is also a scenic spot in Nanxun Ancient Town. It took three generations of the Liu family more than 40 years to build Xiaolianzhuang. The layout is solemn and proper. The exquisite garden design has the beauty of winding paths leading to secluded places. Coming here to enjoy lotus in summer, the green leaves and red flowers set off the pavilions by the pool, which is extremely beautiful.
Xiaolianzhuang can be roughly divided into two parts. One is the garden area centered around the lotus pond, and the other is the architecture of the Liu Family Ancestral Temple next to it. While admiring the architecture with the style of a great family in the south of the Yangtze River, you can also explore the mysteries of traditional etiquette in details. Xiaolianzhuang is a scenic spot in the joint ticket of Nanxun Ancient Town where good photos can be taken. If you love photography, you must stay here for a while. Stele Corridor Entering Xiaolianzhuang, first visit the architectural area of the family ancestral temple. The first attraction is the stele corridor. There are more than forty steles on the wall of the corridor, which are poems and essays presented among literati in the Qing Dynasty. Interestingly, one of them is exactly the calligraphy work of ‘Liu Luoguo, the prime minister’. You might as well look for it. The ‘Jingxiang Poetry Cave’ on the left side of the corridor was the place where the owner received refined scholars and specialized in composing poems and couplets at that time. Another attraction worth seeing is the two-story Western-style building next to it – Dongsheng Pavilion. Although you cannot enter to visit, its Chinese and Western combined appearance is particularly eye-catching in this Chinese garden. Liu Family Ancestral Temple Continue to visit the core building of Xiaolianzhuang inside: the Liu Family Ancestral Temple. The two well-preserved imperial archways in front of the ancestral temple can be said to be a symbol of the status of the Liu family. One is the Jishan Archway bestowed by Emperor Guangxu, with the words ‘imperial edict’ and ‘be benevolent and charitable’ engraved on it. The latter one is the ‘钦旌节孝’ archway, a chastity archway erected for Liu Yong’s daughter-in-law. Between the two archways is the family ancestral temple. The threshold of the family ancestral temple is extremely high, which shows the concept of a proper match and the strict feudal etiquette. The courtyard buildings inside are imposing, and the furnishings and layout are also quite particular. Standing inside, you can feel the majesty of a wealthy family. Garden Area Leaving the archway area, then visit the garden in the courtyard. There are several pavilions for enjoying lotus around the lotus pond, and each has a different shape. There is also a five-curved bridge on the water surface with a beautiful shape. Walking across the five-curved bridge is the back garden. There are many rockeries and small landscapes surrounded by Taihu stones. Walking out of the back garden, you will see a century-old wisteria tree, which takes the meaning of ‘auspicious omen coming from the east’ and is regarded as a symbol of great wealth and honor. Tourists passing by here will definitely reach out and touch it to get some good fortune. After visiting Xiaolianzhuang, go to the Jiayetang Library separated by a stream. Here, the garden and the library are integrated, presenting another flavor. Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:00 to 17:30; open all year round from 08:00 to 17:00; open all year round from 17:00 to 21:00. The summer night shows are open. The specific arrangements are subject to the scenic spot.Xiaolianzhuang
Xiaolianzhuang, also known as ‘Liu Garden’, is the private garden of Liu Yong, a wealthy[...]
