Rainbow Corridor

Rainbow Corridor

Rainbow Corridor

Originally, corridors were designed as connectors between buildings. If we view the entire garden as a “plane,” then structures such as pavilions, gazebos, studios, and halls can be seen as “points,” while corridor structures function as “lines.” Through the linkage of these lines, the scattered “points” are connected into an organic whole. In combination with rockeries, greenery, and water surfaces, they form individual scenic areas within the overall “plane” of the garden. Mountain corridors also provide vantage points for enjoying mountain views and serve to connect buildings at different elevations on the slopes.

Beside the “Second Spring Under Heaven,” above the arched gateways named “Accompanying the Spring” and “Moon Reflection,” there lies a mountain-climbing corridor that resembles “a dragon lying on the waves,” known as the Rainbow Corridor. This corridor is 32 meters long, gradually ascending along with the terrain. Its roof, matching the steepening slope, is designed with a combination of cascading steps and curved forms—some steps long, some short, some high, some low—creating a romantic, free-spirited, lively rhythm. This mountain-climbing corridor serves as a connector between the “Second Spring Under Heaven” and the “Xilu Book Hall,” forming a pathway along the mountainside.

In terms of landscape composition, it is situated at the boundary between two scenic areas at different elevations, at the foot of the mountain. Moreover, the transparent design of the corridor allows the flowers, trees, and buildings behind it to be partially visible, playing the role of framing the background with the foreground, using void to complement solid, and setting off the scenery of Huishan Mountain behind. This enhances the connection between the front and rear views, expands the visual space, adds layers to the scenery, and further highlights the majestic presence of Huishan Mountain.

At the southern end of the mountain-climbing corridor lies the Xilu Book Hall, positioned at the highest point of the corridor. Viewed from the east, it appears towering. The design takes advantage of the terrain, with a pathway dug out beneath the hall, creating a three-dimensional intersection within the garden. It not only guides visitors to ascend the mountain via this pathway but also gives the impression of the hall being a multi-storied building. As described in the classic gardening text *Yuan Ye* (“The Craft of Gardens”): “Looking up from below, it appears as a tower; halfway up the mountain, it resembles a flat-roofed house”—a unique architectural treatment. Once atop the hall, one can see roses climbing along the corridor walls, winter jasmine cascading down, the shadow of a pagoda to the east, and verdant hills to the west. With its red railings and gracefully curved balustrades, the elevated vantage point offers a sweeping view of the entire Yugong Valley.