Fengcheng River Qiao Garden (Ri She Garden)

Fengcheng River Qiao Garden (Ri She Garden)

Fengcheng River Qiao Garden (Ri She Garden) is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Ri She Garden

Era: Ming Dynasty to Republic of China

Address: Inside Qiao Garden Hotel, No. 436 Hailing South Road, Taizhou, Jiangsu

The garden was built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty as a private residential garden for Chen Yingfang, an official of the Imperial Stables. The name “Ri She Garden” comes from the phrase “garden visited daily for delight” in Tao Yuanming’s “Ode to Returning Home.” Locals in Taizhou now often refer to it as “Qiao Garden,” because the garden was once occupied by Qiao Songnian, the Salt Transport Commissioner of Lianghuai, hence the name.

Ri She Garden is the earliest existing classical garden in northern Jiangsu and is a Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Covering an area of 1,500 square meters, it currently features structures such as Shanxiang Caotang (Mountain Echoing Thatched Hall), Yinchao Ting (Nest Pavilion), Gengji Tang (Well-Drawing Hall), and Songchui Ge (Pine-Wind Pavilion). It is divided into front and rear gardens, with a compact, exquisite layout and clear layering. In ancient times, one could gaze into the distance from elevated spots. The garden was renovated in 1990 based on the “Three Peaks Garden Scenery Map” by Zhou Xiang of the Qing Dynasty, preserving the architectural style of the Ming era.

The layout of Ri She Garden is small yet elegant, embodying the charm of gardens in southern China. The entire garden centers around Shanxiang Caotang, with a pond and rockeries created in the south to form the main scenic area, and a courtyard arranged in the north. In front of the hall, the pond winds around, embraced by rocks, with three stone stalagmites standing atop the main peak—also resembling three long swords pointing to the sky. No wonder one of the hotel buildings is named “Sanfeng Lou” (Three Peaks Tower), presumably inspired by this view. A small arched bridge spans the pond; crossing the bridge and passing through the arch, one can enjoy the secluded charm of winding paths.

Among the peaks in front of the former site of Huashen Pavilion (Flower Goddess Pavilion), there stands an ancient cypress tree with a rugged shape full of timeless charm. Such an appearance could only come from having endured the storms of life and witnessed the vicissitudes of the world. On the eastern side of the hilltop is a half-pavilion, while on the western secluded valley is the Yu Yu Ting (Fish-Counting Pavilion). Behind the hall are other structures such as Gengji Tang and Songchui Ge. The whole garden is highlighted by verdant cypresses and pines, planted with bamboo and banana trees, and adorned with flowers and plants throughout the seasons, offering a lush green ambiance. Especially after a busy day, strolling through the garden, the expanse of green refreshes the eyes, while the faint fragrance lingering in the air invigorates the spirit and clears the mind.

Qiao Garden, also known as Ri She Garden, was first built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty and is one of the oldest surviving gardens in northern Jiangsu. During Emperor Shenzong’s Wanli reign, Chen Yingfang, an official of the Court of Imperial Stables, built the garden next to his residence. He named it “Ri She Garden” after the phrase “garden visited daily for delight” from Tao Yuanming’s “Ode to Returning Home.” Qiao Garden is a famous scenic spot in Taizhou. Liu Shaoqi once rested here during his inspection tour of northern Jiangsu, and in 1956, Mei Lanfang stayed here during his hometown visit.

The layout of Qiao Garden is small and elegant, embodying the charm of gardens in southern China. The entire garden centers around Shanxiang Caotang, with a pond and rockeries created in the south to form the main scenic area, and a courtyard arranged in the north. In front of the hall, the pond winds around, embraced by rocks, with three stone stalagmites standing atop the main peak—also resembling three long swords pointing to the sky.

The most distinctive feature of the garden is its emphasis on the arrangement of flowers and trees, which is also often reflected in the naming of various structures. Examples include Er Fen Zhu Wu (Two-Part Bamboo House), Jie Lü Shan Fang (All-Green Mountain Room), Songchui Ge (Pine-Wind Pavilion), Yinchao Ting (Nest Pavilion), Jiao Yu Xuan (Banana Rain Pavilion), and Wen Gui Fang (Literary Osmanthus Boat). The core scenic area mainly features tall trees, with ancient cypresses on the rockery as focal points; beside high pavilions like Songchui Ge and Yinchao Ting, there are often tall pines, plum groves; hidden behind the mountain valley are bamboo and houses, with wintersweet and osmanthus planted in front of the courtyard and peonies and bananas around the pavilion. The seasonal arrangement also adapts to the changing scenery throughout the year.

Address: No. 68 Beihai Road, Taizhou City

Type: Urban Park

Recommended Visiting Time: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0523-86221988

Opening Hours:

8:00-18:00

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units