Yiyuan Garden

Yiyuan Garden

Yiyuan Garden is a Shanghai Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Yiyuan Garden, commonly known as Chen Family Garden and also called Little Hardoon Garden, was built by Chen Wenfu, a native of Hengmian from Hardon’s butler. His father was Chen Zijing, renowned as the “Best Pipa Player Under Heaven.” After returning to his hometown, Chen Wenfu modeled the garden after the layout of Hardoon Garden. Construction began in 1921 and was completed in 1924. In 1933, a bronze-type inscribed white marble stele (pictured later) titled “Record of Yiyuan Garden” was erected. On May 29, 2002, it was announced as a District-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit. The garden is surrounded by water on three sides and features the typical characteristics of Suzhou-style gardens. Attractions include Ruiyun Peak, Thousand-Layer Rock, Taihu Rock, Monkey Pool, rockery caves, Zigzag Bridge, Fenghong Pavilion, Fishing Terrace, and Ancient Vine Corridor. The garden currently has century-old famous trees such as Chinese trumpet creeper, holly, and cedar. The entire garden covers an area of 18,731 square meters and exhibits a fusion of Chinese and Western garden architectural styles.

The owner, Chen Wenfu, was a native of Hengmian in Pudong, originally the butler of the Jewish businessman Hardoon, and legend has it that he was also the foster son of Hardoon’s wife. After returning to his hometown, Chen built Yiyuan Garden in the eastern part of Hengmian Town, modeled after Hardoon Garden, which is why locals call it “Little Hardoon Garden.” The road leading from the ancient town to Yiyuan Garden thus became known as “Garden Street.”

After the liberation, Yiyuan Garden once served as a nursing home for the elderly in Hengmian. In 1960, it was converted into the Shanghai Second Psychiatric Sanatorium. Although the garden area was later expanded, the original scenic areas largely remained unchanged. In 2002, it was listed as a District-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the Nanhui District Government.

The Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau Second Psychiatric Hospital was established in September 1958, located in Nanhui District, Shanghai, covering an area of 34,039 square meters with a construction area of 11,403 square meters. It is a municipal-level social welfare institution under the Social Welfare Center of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau. After expansion and renovation in the late 20th century, the hospital's green space reached 17,570.3 square meters, with a green coverage rate of 64.15%, making it an ideal recuperation destination for those with chronic psychiatric disorders.

Yiyuan Garden features the typical characteristics of Suzhou-style gardens. Upon entering the gate, there is a flower stand composed of stone bamboos and pine trees, surrounded by a five-colored pebble path paved with patterns depicting floral and bird scenes such as “Red Phoenix Facing the Sun,” “Qilin Presenting a Child,” and “Pine and Crane Extending Life.” Stone paths extend in three directions toward various scenic areas. The “Ancient Vine Corridor of Ruiyun” is flanked by many osmanthus trees. The garden currently preserves 32 century-old trees, with evergreens showcasing their beauty throughout the seasons. Around the Monkey Pool, skillfully stacked rocks, zigzag bridges, and pavilions are hidden among the landscape. Passing through the plum grove and along the White Lotus Pond, one can view the sculpture of “Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” though unfortunately six of the dragons were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, leaving only three. In front of the Chengli Hall, there are several clusters of cherry trees, and slightly further back stands a two-story residence, which was the home of the original owner. Facing the main gate is a forest-stone scenic stand laid out in the style of a traditional Chinese painting, with the Chinese characters “Ruiyun” engraved on a central Taihu rock. The stone mountain within the stand contains a cave with a fountain, alongside a corridor walkway.

On April 4, 2014, the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government reviewed and announced Yiyuan Garden as a Shanghai Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit (Hu Fu Fa [2014] No. 29).