Zhanyuan Forecourt Lintel Detail

Zhan Yuan (), also known as Zhongshan Grand Mansion Gate, is a modern Chinese garden designed in a Suzhou and Hangzhou-derived style spanning the Beixi River (北溪河) near Huzhou Mountain (湖洲山) in the south of Zhongshan in Guangdong Province, China. At multiple hectares it is billed as the largest private Chinese garden in the Lingnan area of southern China, and is officially classed as a National AAAA class tourist attraction, the second highest classification.

Conception

The garden is said to have been inspired by Suzhou and Hangzhou classical Chinese gardens combined with the garden's situation and local Cantonese water townships. It is not fully traditional, for example Australian ''Callistemon'' dominate in place of willows, and ornamental imports such as ''Ravenala madagascariensis'' are broadly distributed.

Layout

The garden is split by the Beixi River in to two sections, the southern section and the northern section, joined by a covered bridge. The southern section contains substantial architectural and water features. The northern section contains smaller gardens, pavilions and courtyard architecture. Both sections contain ''penjing''.

History

The garden, over was established 1998 by Huang Yuanxin (黃遠新) for his aged mother, and in 2003 opened to the public. The garden was later expanded by constructing the second northern section, gifted to his father. The two sections are linked by a covered bridge.

Gallery

Zhanyuan northwest gate.jpg, Northwest gate, view northward toward exterior.
Zhanyuan south area water 1.jpg, Water view in the southern part of the garden, featuring reclaimed sculpture.
Zhanyuan north section east view.jpg, Eastward view in the northern part of the garden with a moon gate visible in the distance.
Zhanyuan bonsai specimen.jpg, ''Penjing'' presented in the south garden.
Zhanyuan architecture.jpg, Architecture in the south garden showing the relationship between walkway, fixed buildings, water, rooflines and plantings.
Zhanyuan covered walkway.jpg, Covered walkway in the south garden with view to a pavilion, waterway and ornamental garden bridge.
Zhanyuan covered bridge situation.jpg, The covered bridge, looking south to Huzhou Mountain (湖洲山).
Zhanyuan crane turtle pine sculpture.jpg, A bronze crane, spirit turtle and pine sculpture representing longevity in the northern garden. Note the material, which references Chinese ritual bronzes following the Confucian garden conception.
Zhanyuan giant cycad.jpg, Giant, ancient ''Cycas revoluta'' on display in the northern garden.
Zhanyuan forecourt lintel detail.jpg, Detail of a carved wooden decorative lintel at the south garden forecourt.
Zhanyuan rockery.jpg, Lingnan-style rockery in the south garden.

See also

* Chinese architecture
* Ancient Chinese wooden architecture
* List of Chinese gardens
* ''Penjing''

References

Gardens in Guangdong
Chinese gardens
Zhongshan

{{Guangdong-geo-stub