Three Hundred Garden

Three Hundred Garden

Three Hundred Garden is located in Fengjing Town, Jinshan District, Shanghai. It is a Song Dynasty–era mansion featuring a traditional three-courtyard layout, covering an area of over 5,000 square meters. The original owner, Chen Shunyu, styled himself Lingju and was also known as the White Ox Hermit. He was a native of Fengjing. At the time, Chen held the official position of Tuntian Yuanwailang, equivalent to today’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture. Although he occupied a high-ranking position, he led an uncorrupted and upright life throughout his career. Unable to tolerate the corruption and injustices in the imperial court, he resigned from his post several times and chose to live in seclusion in his hometown. He had a passion for poetry and painting, possessed vast knowledge, and maintained close friendships with renowned poets such as Ouyang Xiu, Su Dongpo, and Sima Guang, who regarded him as a close and trusted friend. They often drank, composed poetry, and shared philosophical discussions about life together. After his death, Sima Guang even composed a memorial poem in his honor: “Across the vast land stretching thousands of miles, how many stand out as truly exceptional? After seeking far and wide, talent at last is found anew. Renowned across the realm, his virtue shines bright, His talents finally recognized after trials and plights. The hopes of the people rest upon his name, Not merely confined to one region or domain.” This poem praises Chen as one of the few outstanding, wise, upright, and virtuous individuals to be found in a vast territory. It acknowledges that such talent is rare even within a hundred-mile radius, and that despite enduring numerous ups and downs, he dedicated his life to serving the public. This grand residence bears witness to Chen Shunyu’s remarkable achievements and the hardships he faced in his life. Each building reflects the challenges he encountered during his official career. Now open to tourism, the mansion has been given new meaning, showcasing over three hundred exhibits—including representative objects such as a hundred lamps, a hundred baskets, and a hundred trades—hence the name “Three Hundred Garden.”

Location

No. 49 Heping Street, Fengjing Town, Jinshan District, Shanghai (at the intersection of Fengli Road and Fengjing-Xinjing Road)