Tsinghua Garden

Tsinghua Garden

Tsinghua Garden was originally part of Xichun Garden, built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty. During the Daoguang era, Xichun Garden was divided into eastern and western sections—the western section was named “Jinchun Garden,” while the eastern section retained the name “Xichun Garden.” After Emperor Xianfeng ascended the throne, he renamed the eastern Xichun Garden as “Tsinghua Garden.” Tsinghua Garden was bestowed by Emperor Xianfeng of the Qing Dynasty.

The plaque behind the Gongzi Hall of today’s “Tsinghua Garden” bears the four characters “Shuimu Qinghua” (清水清华), flanked by a couplet that reads: “The mountain scenery beyond the railing undergoes myriad changes through all seasons, yet remains no ordinary realm; the cloud shadows through the window drift freely in all directions, truly a celestial abode.” The phrase “Shuimu Qinghua” originates from the poem “A Stroll by the West Pond” by Xie Shuyuan of the Jin Dynasty: “When the sun slants, birds gather in song; water and trees are clear and bright.” Here, “zhan” (湛) means clear or pristine. Because there is a pond behind the Gongzi Hall, Xie’s poetic line inspired the name “Shuimu Qinghua.”

As an imperial garden and the Kangxi Emperor’s temporary residence (imperial garden), Xichun Garden (the predecessor of Tsinghua Garden) covered an area of 261 mu. It was first constructed in the mid-Qing Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Kangxi and completed in 1767 (the 32nd year of Qianlong’s reign). Along with four other imperial parks in the western suburbs of Beijing, including the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan), it was known as the “Five Gardens of Yuanming.” This was around the time when the first eighty chapters of “Dream of the Red Chamber” were written.

During the Daoguang era, Xichun Garden was divided into eastern and western parts. The eastern part retained the name Xichun Garden and was granted to the fifth son, Yizong, while the western part was called Jinchun Garden and given to the fourth son, Yixin (also referred to phonetically as 奕[言+宁], later Emperor Xianfeng), commonly known as the “Fourth Prince’s Garden.” Additionally, according to historical maps recently examined by scholars—specifically the water town map surrounding the Old Summer Palace—Jinchun Garden was marked as belonging to “Prince Rui” (i.e., Mianning, the fourth brother of Emperor Daoguang). Therefore, it remains uncertain whether the “Fourth Prince” of the “Fourth Prince’s Garden” refers to Yixin or Mianning. When Xianfeng became emperor, he renamed Xichun Garden and personally inscribed the plaque “Tsinghua Garden.”

In the tenth year of Xianfeng’s reign, the Anglo-French Allied Forces set fire to the Old Summer Palace, and the flames spread to Jinchun Garden. Seven or eight pavilions and studios in the garden gradually fell into disrepair and were abandoned, becoming known as the “Deserted Island.” Tsinghua Garden has a history of 233 years. According to historical records, it once housed 11 imperial plaques inscribed by emperors, making it one of the few surviving structures from the Old Summer Palace era in the western suburbs. This highlights the great significance of preserving Tsinghua Garden.

In 1910, the “Tsinghua School,” built using Boxer Indemnity funds provided by the United States, was located within Tsinghua Garden. This school was the predecessor of Tsinghua University.