The "Well-Watching-the-Sky" Garden

The "Well-Watching-the-Sky" Garden

The "Well-Watching-the-Sky" Garden

"Alas, the shame of Jingkang has not yet been avenged; when will the loyal ministers' hatred be extinguished?" This is an immortal line left by Yue Fei, the renowned anti-Jin general. The "shame of Jingkang" refers to the Jingkang Incident. In the early years of the Jingkang era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1126), the Jin army breached the capital (Kaifeng), capturing Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong along with over three thousand members of the imperial family and attendants, and marched them northward. In the fourth year of the Southern Song's Jianyan era (1130), they arrived at Huligai Road in the Jin territory, now known as Wuguocheng in Yilan, marking the beginning of their long and humiliating period of captivity described as "watching the sky from a well." The "Well-Watching-the-Sky Garden" in Yilan County was built against the backdrop of this historical event.

The "Well-Watching-the-Sky Garden" is located at the site of the ancient Wuguotou City ruins in Yilan County. Construction began in 2003, and it opened to visitors in June 2004. Covering an area of 40,000 square meters with a total investment of 6 million yuan, the garden emphasizes both the integrity of historical architecture and the fashion of modern tourism in its design and layout. It is a finely developed cultural attraction based on national-level tourism resources.

Wuguocheng is rectangular in shape, surrounded by ancient city walls, with gates on all four sides. The main southern gate is the ancient tower of Wuguocheng, featuring a triple-eaved, majestic and rustic structure with a grand presence. On either side of the gate stand sculptures of Jin soldiers armed with spears. Entering through the southern gate and walking about a hundred meters, you will see the towering memorial archway of the "Well-Watching-the-Sky Ruins." A wide plaza extends northward, culminating in stone statues of Emperors Huizong and Qinzong. Emperor Huizong is seated while Emperor Qinzong stands behind him, both with profound and far-reaching gazes. An east-west pathway connects the residences of the two emperors — the "Tianshui Commandery Prince Mansion" and the "Tianshui Commandery Duke Mansion." Inside the prince’s mansion is the quadrangle where Emperor Huizong lived (referred to as the "courtyard," which is the origin of the phrase "watching the sky from a well"). To the east of the plaza is the Duguan Mansion quadrangle, and to the west is the Yaoban military camp. Throughout the garden, plaques and stone carvings featuring poems written by the two emperors can be found everywhere.

Here, visitors can reflect on the past and explore the evolution of historical and cultural roots, or simply enjoy poetry and take a rest, appreciating the artistic beauty of these literary masterpieces.

Phone: 0451-55332239

Address: Wuguotou City Ruins Area, Yilan County, Harbin City

Transportation: Take a long-distance bus from Sankeshu Highway Bus Station from Harbin to Yilan