In Taicang, Nanyuan Garden is also known as ‘Grand Tutor’s Mansion’ among the people. It was built in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. It was a place for Wang Xijue, the chief minister in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, to enjoy plum blossoms and plant chrysanthemums. It originally covered an area of eighteen mu. In the early Qing Dynasty, Wang Shimin, the grandson of Wang Xijue and a painter, expanded the garden. Zhang Nanyuán was specially invited to preside over the construction. The cooperation between the painter and the craftsman made Nanyuan Garden a famous historical garden integrating gardening and painting. Later, it was destroyed in the war. Since 1998, according to the original photos and drawings, it has been designed and planned. The ancient buildings with historical value in the old city renovation have been relocated to Nanyuan Garden. After six years of renovation, the original scenic spots such as ‘gatehouse’, ‘Xiuxuetang’, ‘Xiangtao Pavilion’, ‘Dahuan Pavilion’, ‘Hemexian Hall’, ‘Hanbifang’, ‘Tanyingxuan’, ‘corridor’ and bridge pavilions have been gradually restored. The garden is arranged with the lake as the central axis, and the scenic spots are distributed around, with a jade belt bridge dotted in the middle. The two characters ‘Nanyuan’ on the plaque of the gatehouse were written by Dong Qichang. To the south, a small rockery is piled up at the site of the original ancient city wall of Taicang, lush and green. The lotus flowers on the lake sway gently, with ripples rippling gently. The more delicate building in the garden is Hemexian Hall, also known as the flower hall. Dahuan Pavilion is rebuilt in memory of Xu Shangying from Taicang. In the main hall on the upper floor, his ‘Dahuan Qinpu’, ‘Xishan Qin Kuang’, ‘Wanfengge Finger Secret Note’ and rare and precious guqin are displayed. Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:30 to 16:30. From 7:30 to 17:00. Admission stops at 16:30.
Nanyuan Garden
In Taicang, Nanyuan Garden is also known as ‘Grand Tutor’s Mansion’ among the peop[...]
