Xuyuan Garden

Xuyuan Garden

Located to the west of the Heavenly King’s Palace, Xuyuan Garden is also known as the West Garden, as it was originally part of the palace complex. Built during the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1821–1851), the garden features exquisite architecture and embodies the unique style of classical gardens in China’s Jiangnan region, making it one of the two most famous gardens in Jinling (Nanjing).

Xuyuan Garden is a magnificent and distinctive classical garden with strong Jiangnan characteristics. Covering an area of 27 mu, about 3.3 mu of which is water surface, the garden was called “Xuyuan” during the Ming Dynasty and served as the West Garden of the Heavenly King’s Palace during the Taiping Rebellion. The garden is adorned with flowers that bloom in all seasons, filling the air with fragrance. Towering ancient trees provide shade while cicadas chirp and birds flit about. Small bridges arch over flowing streams, and the interplay of hills and lakes creates a vibrant scene where koi fish dart playfully. Elegant pavilions with upturned eaves and dragon motifs winding around their structures offer a dynamic yet serene atmosphere. Historical figures such as the Taiping Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and leaders of the Nationalist Government once worked here. The garden offers not only visual beauty but also endless inspiration...

Within the garden stands the Tongyin Pavilion, built specifically for enjoying the sound of wind rustling through tung trees. In front of and behind the pavilion are artificial hills, north and south respectively. On the southern hill sits a hexagonal pavilion, and not far away stands the Fangsheng Pavilion — a structure formed by stacking two square pavilions. Its roof and base seem to merge yet remain distinct, creating a unified whole also known as the Mandarin Duck Pavilion. Beyond the Mandarin Duck Pavilion lies a man-made pond shaped like a bottle, connected by a winding bridge. Directly to the south is a stone boat, exquisitely crafted and lifelike, with a plaque reading “Unmoored Boat” (不系舟), originally inscribed by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty during his southern inspection tours.

Xuyuan Garden is delicate and compact, designed around water as its central element. A stone boat is placed to the south and a pavilion to the north, dividing the water scenery into seven interconnected yet independent sections. This layout gives the impression of vastness within intimacy, intricacy within simplicity, and a harmonious interplay of reality and illusion, creating distinct yet fluid spatial layers.