Ganquan Chen Garden

Ganquan Chen Garden

Ganquan Chen Garden is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

If the Ge Garden, He Garden, and Xu Garden in Yangzhou are masterpieces created by wealthy merchants and high-ranking officials of the Qing Dynasty, then Ganquan Chen Garden, nestled on the foothills of Shugang, is a fine creation of modern times.

The owner of Chen Garden, Mr. Chen Jian, is adept at “treasure hunting.” After years of dedication, he relocated Huizhou-style architecture and gathered treasures from all over to display them in one garden, hence the name “Chen Garden.”

Chen Garden’s “Houde Hall,” covering an area of 260 square meters, has walls, beams, and pillars all made of golden nanmu wood, making it currently the largest golden nanmu hall in Yangzhou. This was originally an abandoned old house in Anhui. Chen Jian discovered this hall during his travels and deeply felt that such a treasure had been neglected. He thus “salvaged” the entire structure and reassembled it in its original form using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery. Other old houses “relocated” to Chen Garden include a library tower, the Four Waters Returning to the Hall, and a young lady’s embroidery pavilion—all restored to their former glory, exuding deep reverence for history.

Like the nanmu hall, the Huangshan brick carving “Children at Play” also comes from the homeland of the Huizhou merchants. Within a limited space of 27 square meters, over 700 brick carvings depict lively scenes of childhood: mischievous children dancing with dragons, herding cattle, singing freely, or playing chess—each piece vibrant and brimming with youthful charm. This intangible cultural heritage continues the timeless bond between Huizhou and Yangzhou.

Passing through a long corridor, a clear pool of water surrounds the area, with a stage, boat pavilion, bell tower, chess pavilion, covered bridge, and the Chengqin Pavilion nearby. The garden’s famous flowers and ancient trees are like clouds and garments, resembling delicate natural bonsai. This is the West Garden of Chen Garden. To the east of the West Garden lies the former residence of Gao Xiang, one of the “Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou.” The interior decor and furnishings of the residence have all been restored to Ming and Qing dynasty relics, recreating the lifestyle and customs of literati from the Qing era. The Jixian Hall in the residence records elegant gatherings reminiscent of enjoying flowers under moonlight, while the Tanzhi Pavilion still seems to echo with the sounds of lofty melodies and serene Zen thoughts.

What makes Chen Garden unique is its collection of rare stones, famous trees, and the essence of garden design from Anhui, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, and Shanxi, all gathered within one garden. A ginkgo tree from the Tang Dynasty, a crape myrtle and stone bridge from the Song Dynasty, a cypress from the Yuan Dynasty, a Ming Dynasty entrance hall, door knockers, and a Huizhou-style memorial archway, as well as a Qing Dynasty nanmu hall—all form a museum of rare treasures. Chen Garden is also known as the “Salt Merchant’s Dream Garden,” serving as a fitting highlight of the lingering charm of Yangzhou’s salt merchant culture.