Ink Lotus Garden

Ink Lotus Garden

Ink Lotus Garden, which broke ground in 2003, is claimed by its investor to be a private classical garden integrating culture, garden culture, tourism culture, Buddhist culture, opera culture, and food culture. Rumors have it that this garden is set to become the largest private garden in China, covering an area of 12 hectares—equivalent to the total area of Suzhou’s top ten gardens—and with a total investment of 250 million yuan. After more than a decade, it still remains closed to the public.

The garden is located at the intersection of Hefei’s West Second Ring Road and North Second Ring Road. Despite its massive area, it is advertised as a private garden and is now open to visitors.

Ink Lotus Garden is divided into various scenic areas, including the Peony Garden, Persimmon Ink, Pomegranate Red Cove, Jade Bridge Palace, Shattered Jade Tower, and Snow Forest Mountain. Among its pavilions, towers, carved railings, and painted boats are placed ancient zithers, pipas, and traditional string and wind instruments. When the owner is present, a privately kept musical ensemble is summoned to play classical music.

Previously, there were claims that the garden housed 300,000 volumes of classic works by writers from Anhui throughout the ages, several kilometers of corridors adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, and priceless antiques and calligraphic paintings... However, according to garden caretakers, there are currently no books, paintings, or antiquities in the garden.

The exterior mimics the style of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, using the architectural form of Huizhou-style residences, complete with horse-head walls and roof tiles adorned with decorative discs. The garden features artificial hills, ponds, green screens, as well as a number of fruit trees and ornamental plants.

Current status: The western and northern plots of land belonging to Ink Lotus Garden have been sold. High-rise buildings, some twenty to thirty stories tall, are under construction at the northern end. Artificial hill stones and stone carvings remain on the sold plots. The garden is currently under maintenance, but from the outside, it can be seen that the pavilions and buildings inside are severely damaged.