Ying Garden

Ying Garden

Ying Garden is a cultural heritage site protected by Huzhou City.

Ying Garden was the residential garden of Chen Xiong, one of the so-called “Eight Bulls” of the Qing Dynasty in Nanxun. It is located by Huangyu River, covering an area of 11.07 acres. Construction began in the first year of the Tongzhi reign (1862) during the Qing Dynasty and took thirteen years to complete, finishing in the sixth year of the Guangxu reign (1875). Now largely well-preserved, it is a cultural heritage site under the protection of Nanxun Town.

The garden is covered with ancient trees providing ample shade, including magnolia, fragrant lilac, and wisteria all over a hundred years old. Pavilions and towers are built along the pond, while rockeries made of Taihu stones are arranged in an artful, staggered layout. Meandering paths lead to serene spots, and visitors can climb steps to enjoy the view. The “Moon-Appreciation Tower” stands on one side of the pond, featuring rows of purple-red glass windows with painted beams and carved pillars, exuding an antique charm.

On the north side of the pond stands a building with black tiles and white walls called “Yangxin House,” which was once where Chen Xiong composed poetry, painted, played chess, or practiced the violin. The “Jade Fragrance Pavilion” is also located to the west of the pond. This brick, tile, and wood structure has clean lines and unique craftsmanship. From the upper floor, visitors can take in the full beauty of the garden.

Ying Garden is also renowned for its various carvings. With brick carvings, stone carvings, and wood carvings, it is almost a small sculpture art museum. For example, the doors and windows of the “Yangxin House” feature exquisite boxwood carvings with vivid designs and masterful knife work, each paired with calligraphy by notable figures.

One of these is the “Farming and Weaving Picture,” depicting men farming and women weaving, combining boldness with delicacy, with lifelike images. The floor-length windows of the former guest hall “Qingfeng Pian,” used for receiving guests by the Chen family, still preserve parts of boxwood carvings of the “Romance of the Western Chamber.” On both sides of the hall, there are also stone-carved lattice windows embedded in the brick walls, combining artistic beauty with ventilation.

The small pavilion on the rockery is called Meishi Pavilion. In the center of the pavilion is a Meishi stele, 138 cm high and 79 cm wide. The engraving of plum and rock on the stele is the late-life masterpiece of Wang Li (1813–1879), a famous calligrapher of the Qing Dynasty. The stone carving features powerful and precise lines, making it a top-tier piece of stone art. The inscription on the stele reads: “Imitating the brushwork of Sun Leijushi, Prefect of Hanyang. Created by Wang Li on the third day before the Beginning of Autumn in the Year of Ji Hai.”

After the liberation, Ying Garden underwent several renovations, and its main sights remain well-preserved. The renowned ancient garden expert Professor Chen Congzhou once praised Ying Garden in his article “Water Town Splendor,” saying: “Chen’s Garden encircles the pond with a tower and a pavilion, their reflections clear and the layout compact and graceful, echoing the charm of Suzhou’s Lion Grove Garden.”

Nanxun Town: Nanxun is a prosperous and culturally rich ancient town in the Jiangnan region. Its geographical coordinates are between 120°25′–120°26′ east longitude and 30°52′–30°53′20″ north latitude. Located by Taihu Lake and bordering Suzhou, it serves as the eastern gateway for Huzhou to connect with Shanghai’s Pudong area. The Changhu-Shen railway line and National Highway 318 run through the town, giving it a superior geographical environment and convenient water and land transportation. The town covers a total area of 141.3 square kilometers, governs 51 administrative villages and 10 residential communities, with a total population of 116,000 and cultivated land area of 122,500 mu. 2000... More detailed information about Nanxun Town++