Urban Green Valley

Urban Green Valley

Urban Green Valley is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Urban Green Valley is located in Lujing Port, Gugang Town. Established in the late Qing Dynasty, it has a history of over a hundred years. It was founded by Chen Weiyong, one of the renowned industrialists of modern Nantong, and later expanded by his son, Chen Baochu. At its peak, the garden covered an area of more than 30 hectares. The garden was designed in the style of an English manor-style landscape. It is the largest private garden and villa complex in Nantong City and even northern Jiangsu, as well as the only relatively well-preserved garden in the region that uniquely blends both Chinese and Western styles. The garden features Western-style compound residences, garages, servant quarters, as well as traditional Chinese-style west-wing auxiliary buildings, complemented by rockeries and lotus ponds. Visitors wandering through the grounds can experience the wonderful charm of a blend of time and space. It can be described as ingeniously conceived and extraordinarily imaginative.

The garden is home to more than 2,000 rare and exotic trees, representing over 150 species, with more than 20 trees aged between 100 and 120 years. Among them are six 120-year-old dragon cypresses; a pair of over 120-year-old sister beech trees standing over 8 meters tall; another 110-year-old camphor tree requiring four people to encircle its trunk; century-old osmanthus trees with an intoxicating fragrance; and the rare scale-tree. Visitors immersed in this environment feel as if they have traveled back in time. Taking a deep breath here refreshes the mind and body, promoting longevity.

After key protection and careful development, the total base area of Urban Green Valley is 200,000 square meters. It retains and restores the villas and overall layout of Lujing Garden, authentically recreating Western-style villas, lotus ponds, hexagonal pavilions, Yuxiang Academy, greenhouse gardens, and the Zhang Jian and Water Conservancy Exhibition Hall. Additionally, tourism facilities such as a visitor center and tea dining rooms have been added to enhance service quality, establishing Lujing Garden as the core area of the entire scenic spot.

Urban Green Valley encompasses a wide variety of attractions, among which the Lingshi Natural Stone Area and the Nine Dragons Pillar Square are nothing short of masterstrokes. The Lingshi Natural Stone Area, themed around promoting Chinese stone culture, surrounds the academy with zones for peculiar mountains and rocks, ancient stone steles and paths, a seal carving pavilion, and a stone sculpture garden. The Nine Dragons Pillar Square covers nearly 30,000 square meters, themed around the ecological flow of Green Valley, featuring large-scale plaza paving with semi-circular patterns continuously expanding to highlight its openness. As the largest square in the scenic area, the Nine Dragons Pillar Square can host various large-scale events themed around sports, culture, folklore, and festivals. The 20.99-meter-high Nine Dragons Pillar is an exquisite masterpiece, a spectacular sight that can be considered a world wonder.

The Green Valley Simulation Shooting Range is a world-class technological facility, offering high-definition realism that lives up to its reputation as the “Playground for Dreamers.” Shooting-themed games include simulation shooting, three-screen laser hunting, simulated tanks, flamethrower rifles, moving target archery, simulated submarines, and simulated flight. Other offerings include simulated golf, virtual sports, squash, automatic dart machines, shuffleboard, cyclone ball, and table football. The simulation shooting range specializes in guerrilla-style activities, showcasing the ultimate art of tactical shooting, immersing you in the thrill of ancient warfare.

Laser tag is a very safe and dynamic recreational activity. With just a brief training session, participants can achieve a good level of performance, unlike traditional sports that require long-term training. Therefore, it is suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds. Participants in laser tag typically form teams with partners. Their tactical movements and coordination in the game closely mimic real special forces combat, offering a highly realistic experience. This teamwork emphasizes not only individual tactical skills but also collective cooperation. As a result, many companies abroad organize laser tag activities for their employees during holidays to foster team spirit.

This largest double-style private garden in northern Jiangsu, blending Chinese and Western elements, boasts lush vegetation, clear flowing water, and ancient trees forming a forest. Its beautiful and pleasant natural ecological environment remains charming despite a century of historical changes and weathering. It stands as a precious historical and cultural heritage treasure for the people of Nantong.