Zuiyuan Garden in Xitang

Zuiyuan Garden in Xitang

Zuiyuan Garden was originally a side hall of the residence of the Wang family, a prominent clan in Xitang, located on Tawan Street. The four-courtyard complex was opened to the public after renovation in 2000. Inside the garden, there is also the "Wang Family Father and Son Printmaking Gallery," showcasing the inheritance of the family’s cultural legacy.

The name "Zuiyuan" has three meanings: first, it comes from the “Zuijing Hall,” symbolizing the joy of studying classics; second, the garden offers enchanting scenery; and third, it represents being immersed in the art of printmaking.

The “Zuijing Hall” was built by Wang Zhixi, an ancestor of the Wang family. Wang Zhixi was a renowned calligrapher and painter during the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong era, skilled in regular script, running script, and cursive script, and adept at poetry and painting. His calligraphy works are still preserved in the garden today.

The late father of the current owner, Wang Heng—Wang Muren—was also skilled in calligraphy. One couplet in the garden, reading “Mist parts to reveal orchid leaves, warm winds carry fragrance; the riverbank loves peach blossoms, colorful waves arise,” is his creation.

The main hall, “Yixiangzhai,” features a display of prints by the Wang father and son duo—Wang Heng and Wang Xiaozheng—both depicting the water town scenery of Xitang. Their styles differ somewhat: the father, Mr. Wang Heng, works in a traditional realistic style, while Wang Xiaozheng’s works are more modern and abstract. They are available for visitors to appreciate, showcasing the deep-rooted family cultural heritage of Xitang.

Address: No. 31, Tawan Street, Xitang Town, Jiashan County, Jiaxing City

Type: Historical Site / Historic Architecture

Recommended Visiting Time: About 30 minutes

Phone: 0573-8456150

Opening Hours:

Winter: 8:00–16:30; Summer: 8:00–17:00

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Xitang Scenic Area combo ticket.

Xitang Town: Xitang, anciently known as Xietang, became a market town during the Ming Dynasty, bordering Yong’an and Qianshan townships. Initially named Xietang, it was later called Xitang. Legend has it that during the Spring and Autumn period, Wu Zixu stationed troops here and dug the Wu Zi Pond to develop water conservancy, channeling water from Xushan Mountain directly into the area—hence it was also called Xutang. Located in the northern part of Jiashan County, Xitang Town lies at the junction of three provinces and cities—   —and enjoys a superior geographical position, often referred to as the “Corner of Wu and Yue.” It is 90 km east of Shanghai, 110 km west of Hangzhou, 85 km north of Suzhou, and 9 km south of Jiashan County seat. The central urban area lies at 120°53′ east longitude and 30°56′ north latitude. With access to both land and water transportation... More detailed information about Xitang Town++