Changleyuan Garden

Changleyuan

Located on the south side of the middle section of Xuange Road in Qiaocheng District, Bozhou City, just south of Xuange Pagoda, Changleyuan is a renowned garden in Bozhou.

In the ninth year of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1514), Xue Hui passed the imperial examination and was appointed as an official in the Ministry of Justice. He was later reassigned to the Ministry of Personnel as an examiner. For having remonstrated against Emperor Wuzong’s southern tour, he was demoted, had his salary withheld, and chose to retire due to illness, returning to his hometown. Later, he built a garden called “Retreat and Joy Garden,” which some considered too blunt in name, so it was later renamed “Changleyuan” or “Constant Joy Garden.” His grandson, Xue Fengxiang, wrote: “A small garden was built among mounds, shaded by thickets of shrubs, with stacked rocks forming hills, elegant stones, exquisite and delicately standing like jade.” Changleyuan was divided into three areas: “Silk Garden,” “West Garden,” and “Florid Garden.” The layout of buildings in the garden—pavilions, terraces, towers, kiosks, and galleries—was well arranged. The scenery achieved harmony between nature and human creativity, blending emotions with landscapes, and enjoyed a spring-like atmosphere all year round. Unfortunately, it fell into disuse early on.

Guanyin Mountain was originally the site of the former “Changleyuan Garden.” In the third year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (1798), Bozhou regional commander Li Ming piled earth on the abandoned site to form a hill, upon which the Guanyin Temple was built, complete with winding corridors and lofty towers and pavilions, becoming one of the major scenic spots in Bozhou. The temple enshrined Bodhisattvas and was commonly known as “Xuange Temple” by locals. A fair was held annually on the 19th day of the second lunar month. Merchants from all over gathered for trade, while worshippers came to pay homage to the mountain. The crowds were immense, and the three-day event was extraordinarily bustling. Today, the temple on Guanyin Mountain no longer exists, but the earthen hill remains. To the north, Xuange Pagoda stands firmly. The Xuange Temple Fair has since evolved into a grand commodity trade fair in Bozhou.