Huishan Garden (Li Gong Ancestral Hall)

Huishan Garden (Li Gong Ancestral Hall)

Huishan Garden (Li Gong Ancestral Hall) is a cultural tourism attraction.

The main structure of Huishan Garden was originally the ancestral hall of Li Hezhang. In 1929, the then Republican government converted the Li Hezhang Ancestral Hall into "Huishan Park." The garden features a main hall, lotus pavilion, towers, winding streams, corridors, rockeries, and a wide variety of precious flowers and trees. It was hailed by contemporaries as the second park in Xiyi after Gonggong Garden. During the War of Resistance, it became a hospital, and after liberation, it was turned into a school. After several changes, nearly all the original structures were destroyed, leaving only small bridges, pond stones, and some stone components.

Li Hezhang (1825–1880), from Hefei, Anhui, was the third younger brother of Li Hongzhang. In the early years of the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty, he followed his father and elder brother to organize local militias in their hometown. In the first year of the Tongzhi reign (1862), he went with Li Hongzhang to Jiangsu to fight against the Taiping Army. Together with Cheng Xueqi and Liu Mingchuan, he captured Jiading, Jiangyin, Wuxi, and Changzhou. Especially during the suppression of the Taiping Army in Wuxi, he captured Prince Wang Zilong. Later, he was promoted to the position of Ganliang Dao in Gansu but never took office. He returned to his hometown due to illness and passed away. Due to his meritorious service to the Qing court, a dedicated ancestral hall was built for him at Huishan.

In 2008, this important scenic park in Huishan Street was rebuilt and restored on its original site. Covering an area of 5,465 square meters, it consists of the Li Hezhang Ancestral Hall, Tao Wenxian Ancestral Hall, Zhao Zongbai Ancestral Hall, flower hall, stone boat house, square pavilion, riverside pavilion, corridors, as well as yellow stone revetments, stone beams, winding bridges, and rockeries forming the old park’s attractions. Its scale and layout are similar to the original Huishan Park.

The Li Hezhang Ancestral Hall is a genuine example of a traditional “Huizhou-style” ancestral temple. The hall is spacious and bright, exuding grandeur. It faces the Huishan Canal, and its entrance features a large stone gate with exposed stone pillars and beams, giving it an imposing appearance. Stone lions stand in front, and a golden plaque inscribed with “Li Gong Ancestral Hall” hangs above. Inside, the central three-bay main hall (the Hall of Worship) displays a large plaque inscribed with “Drink Water, Remember the Source,” written by Li Hezhang. The center is an open courtyard with large stone paving and surrounding drainage gutters. Three corridors surround the space, supported by ten stone pillars bearing Huizhou-style thick columns and beams. The beams, brackets, caisson ceilings, and partition screens feature intricate wood carvings such as “Lion Rolling a Silk Ball,” “Renewed Prosperity,” “Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea,” and “Phoenix Facing the Sun.” These carvings are cleverly designed, deeply symbolic, finely crafted, and exceptionally exquisite.

The garden has also replanted many valuable trees, including camphor, ginkgo, beech, hackberry, maple, podocarpus, Albizia, osmanthus, etc., all with thick trunks and beautiful shapes. The entire park takes advantage of the scenic beauty of Xishan Mountain, echoing the Longguang Pagoda. It not only retains the primitive elegance of the original garden but also resonates with the historic and cultural charm of the ancient street, offering a very refined ambiance.

Li Hezhang (1825–1880), courtesy name Jiquan, also known as Xianchai, styled himself Fucha Shanren. A student of classical learning, he was from Hefei, Anhui (now Moyan Community, Yaohai District, Hefei City). His elder brothers were Hanzhang and Hongzhang, his younger brother was Zhaoqing, and his son was Jingxi. Initially, he followed his father and elder brothers in organizing local militias. In the 11th year of the Xianfeng reign (1861), he was appointed as a county magistrate. In the first year of the Tongzhi reign (1862), he joined Li Hongzhang in Jiangsu to fight against the Taiping Army. The following year, he led troops from Changshu toward Jiangyin and was appointed as a prefect. In the third year of the Tongzhi reign (1864), he was appointed as the Ganliang Military Defense Dao of Gansu. That winter, Zeng Guofan transferred his troops to Hubei, but he later fell ill and retired, thus not returning to office. Author of... More details about Li Hezhang ++

Huishan Subdistrict: Huishan Subdistrict administers 9 community committees and 1 family committee: Mianhuaxiang Community, Xinglongqiao Community, Wulixincun Community, Sheng’an Yicun Community, Sheng’an Ercun Community, Huichangli Community, Xinhuilu Community, Ronghu Community, Huiquanshan Community, and Huaying Family Committee. ... More details about Huishan Subdistrict ++