Zhao Garden

Zhao Garden

Located southwest of the city in front of Weng Mansion, adjacent to Zeng Garden. The entire garden is celebrated for its water features, with scenic spots built around the pond in an artfully arranged, uneven layout.

Originally part of the “Little Wangchuan” estate constructed during the Ming Dynasty by the imperial censor Qian Dai. During the Jiaqing and Daoguang reigns of the Qing Dynasty, it was owned by the local resident Wu Junji and was initially called Shuihu Garden, also known as Shuiwu Garden. In the Tongzhi and Guangxu reigns of the Qing Dynasty, the garden came under the ownership of Zhao Liewen from Yanghu. Its entrance plaque read “Jingpu” (Tranquil Garden), and it was commonly known as Zhaowu Garden. At that time, Zhao was serving as an official in Yizhou, and the garden’s upkeep was managed by his wife Deng Jiaxiang—daughter of Deng Tingzhen—and her younger brother Deng Jiaji. After the Republican era, the garden was acquired by Sheng Xuanhuai of Wujin. The Sheng family later donated it to the Tianning Temple in Changzhou as a branch monastery, at which point it was renamed Ningjing Lianshe (Tranquil Lotus Society). The garden gate of Zhao Garden faces east and borders Jiawan Weir.

Visitor Guide:

The residence facing south, known as “Nengjingju” (Quiet Abode), is a three-courtyard complex. The garden is surrounded by corridors interspersed with lattice windows, offering lively views of the scenery outside. In November 1982, it was designated as a municipal cultural heritage site.

Walking west through the corridor, named “Xianchun” (Early Spring), you’ll find a pavilion facing north with stone tables and chairs. Further west on the northern side is a scripture hall with five rooms. The corridor continuing directly west is called “Dianchun” (Late Spring), which turns north and runs along the wall, featuring an octagonal and a square pavilion over the water. Along the garden wall, old willows arch over the embankment, lying across the water, with the distant peaks of Yushan Mountain stretching into view, presenting a deep and serene beauty. At the northern end of the corridor is a bridge called “Liufeng” (Willow Breeze), through which water from the city moat enters the garden, known as “Jingxi” (Tranquil Stream).

To the north of the stream is a building called “Tianfang Lou” (Sky-Releasing Tower), facing south, which served as Zhao Liewen’s library. To the south of the stream stands a rockery, with misty ridges enhancing its graceful beauty reflected in the water. At the western foot of the hill, a stone bridge connects to the Liufeng Bridge; on the southern side of the hill, a winding nine-arch stone bridge spans the water, with a stone platform in the middle, surrounded by stone benches, leading south to a stone boat called “Sifang” (Like a Boat). Behind the boat are several old willows, known as “Fanglou Liulang” (Willow Waves by the Boat House). The stream winds around, beside which sits a delicate and rugged artificial hill made of lake stones, tall and striking. Turning eastward, there is another hill made of yellow stones, resembling gentle slopes with a stone well curb on top inscribed with Zhao Liewen’s calligraphy reading “Meiquan” (Plum Spring).

There are three cypress trees in the garden, their gnarled branches reaching skyward and roots entwined in rocks, remnants of Qian Dai’s “Little Wangchuan.” Zhao Garden employs live water from outside the garden, channeling it into the pond within. The relatively expansive water surface is harmonized with corridors and gentle slopes, while using the nearby Yushan Mountain as a borrowed view, bringing mountain scenery into the garden so it can be admired from all angles.