Keyi Garden

Keyi Garden

Keyi Garden is located in the northwest of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town and is the largest garden architecture in the area. With small bridges, flowing water, and picturesque scenery at every turn, it is the most worthwhile paid attraction in the ancient town and boasts a serene environment. Construction of Keyi Garden began in 1912 and took 15 years to complete. It was once the private residence of Ma Wenqing, a local tycoon. The design structure and decorative materials of this garden incorporate a blend of Chinese and Western elements, which is one of its distinctive features.

The entrance of Keyi Garden faces a water lane. Although the exterior looks unassuming, the interior reveals a hidden world, especially after passing through several halls to reach the vast garden. Keyi Garden is divided into two main sections: Keyuan (Study Garden) and Zhiyuan (Planting Garden). Keyuan was the living and learning area for the owner’s family, while Zhiyuan served as the recreational and farming area. The name “Keyi” (课植), meaning “studying while not forgetting to farm,” reflects the owner’s peaceful philosophy of balancing study and farming in daily life.

Upon entering, you’ll first pass through a series of hall buildings, including the sedan hall, reception hall, and honored guests hall. These halls feature exquisitely carved beams and painted rafters, with highly refined decorations. The roof is constructed with a double-layered tile plank structure, offering the unique effects of keeping warm in winter and cool in summer. The ceremonial gate behind the front hall is adorned with delicate brick carvings, all showcasing the luxurious style of a wealthy family. Among them, the printed floor tiles in the honored guests hall were imported from West Germany at the time and are identical to those used in Nanjing back then.

Passing through the halls, a winding path leads to the garden. The Moon-Viewing Tower and Book City are the most typical Sino-Western fusion structures in the garden. The garden’s stele corridor is inlaid with stone carvings of poems, letters, and other handwritten works by the Four Great Talents of the Ming Dynasty: Tang Bohu, Zhu Zhishan, Wen Zhengming, and Zhou Wenbin. The garden includes ponds, rockeries, pavilions, towers, a theater stage, a zigzag bridge, and even an upside-down lion pavilion on the rockery. The lush greenery allows visitors to enjoy tranquility while strolling along the verdant paths.

Unlike many gardens in the Jiangnan region, this garden also features rice fields, vegetable plots, and orchards in its depths, collectively named “Daoxiang Village” (Fragrant Rice Village). This area was created by the original owner, Ma Wenqing, to let his children and grandchildren experience the hardships of farming and understand the philosophy of “working hard in farming and saving for the future.” He himself often worked in the fields to set an example.

Address: No. 119, Xijing Street, Zhujiajiao Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai

Type: Garden / Park

Recommended visiting time: 1–2 hours

Opening hours:

8:30-16:30

Transportation

Located within Zhujiajiao Town, it is within walking distance.

Enter the ancient town from the north entrance and walk south. Follow the attraction signs inside the scenic area, cross the bridge on the right to arrive. If entering from the south entrance, walk north past the Fangsheng Bridge, go straight, then cross the bridge on the left.

Ticket price

20 RMB

Zhujiajiao Town: A nationally renowned historic town—Zhujiajiao is located by the picturesque Dianshan Lake, boasting a superior geographical location and convenient transportation. The town covers a total area of 138 square kilometers (including water surface), with 58,206 mu of arable land. It currently has a population of 66,000, including 27,800 laborers, and comprises 28 administrative villages and 8 neighborhood committees.

Strong economic power

In 2002, the town’s total social output value reached 6.05 billion RMB. This includes: primary industry output value of 360 million RMB, secondary industry output value of 3.43 billion RMB, tertiary industry output value of 2... More detailed information about Zhujiajiao Town++