Mingyuan Mountain Villa

Mingyuan Mountain Villa

Mingyuan Mountain Villa (formerly known as Jinyue Mountain Villa) is located on the banks of the Panlong River—east of Taozhuang Town, Xuecheng District—at the junction of Dianhan Road and Shanguan Road. Covering an area of 4.2 hectares, it is a leisure and summer retreat that combines the charm of Jiangnan-style gardens with the character of northern China. The villa offers a beautiful environment and picturesque scenery, with oddly shaped rocks dotting the lakeside, the fragrance of osmanthus wafting through the garden, romantic encounters under the willows, fishing by the little bridges, tea sipping in the leisure pavilions, drinking and singing in the Yungarden, creating a veritable paradise on earth. Mingyuan Mountain Villa was developed through a comprehensive project funded with 12 million yuan by Taozhuang Town to reclaim the depressed land. Landscape designers from Tianjin, Changzhou, and other regions conducted on-site surveys and meticulously planned the site. The entire landscape is divided into five sections: the Sunken Plaza, Jinyue Lake, the Three Islands Scenery, Yungarden, and the Garden within the Garden, all interconnected by eight uniquely designed and exquisitely crafted scenic bridges. As you enter the main gate of the villa, the towering Wanhe Rock and the Looking-back-at-the-Moon Rock welcome you, giving the impression of gazing back at the plains from deep within the mountains. To the southwest of the plaza lies a standard swimming pool, with an 800-square-meter bath and fitness center to its north. Behind the Wanhe Rock is the fishing platform, while the plaza is surrounded by red maples, green bamboos, and nectarines, all in diverse and charming forms. Passing through the sunken plaza, you’ll be greeted by the shimmering waters of Jinyue Lake, where dragon and phoenix sculptures symbolize harmony, and winding bridges and scenic pavilions add to the breathtaking beauty. Crossing the Shunde Scale Pond Bridge, you’ll encounter the unique “Elder and Child Embracing the Moon” rock, evoking a sense of joy across generations and leading you down a secluded path to the lake’s central island. After crossing the Yunbu Bridge and then the Qingyun Bridge to reach the northern small island, and then the Queqiao (Magpie Bridge) to get to the eastern small island, you’ll find a peculiarly shaped “Huashan Odd Dwelling” rock gazing back. On the island, pavilions such as the Immortals’ Gathering Pavilion, the Mandarin Duck Pavilion, and the Bright Moon Pavilion are reflected in the water, connected one after another. Bridges like the Colorful Cloud Bridge, Qingyun Bridge, and the Winding Bridge link the three islands, connecting them all and making it hard for visitors to tear themselves away. Strolling through the Yungarden feels like wandering through the south of the Yangtze River. The Aoyue Tower, also known as the main building, offers spaces for rest and dining. The Yuehua Hall, the main building’s lobby, can accommodate over 200 people. To the east, there are eight smaller restaurants including the Free and Easy and the Cold Jade, while along the lake, six fully enclosed bamboo pavilions provide spots for leisure, playing chess, or enjoying a drink. The Garden within the Garden is further divided into three zones: a greenhouse for winter crops, a cultivation area for rare and precious flowers, and a zone for breeding uncommon birds and animals. Throughout the garden, the landscape features shimmering lakes and mountain views, pavilions reflecting moonlight, bridges over flowing streams, meandering embankments, and graceful weeping willows—creating a quintessential southern Chinese garden atmosphere and offering visitors an excellent place for leisure and recreation.

Taozhuang Town: Located in the northern part of Xuecheng District, Taozhuang Town covers a total area of 80 square kilometers, with a population of 100,000. It governs 30 administrative villages, one subdistrict office, and 13 neighborhood committees. The town has a long and profound historical and cultural heritage, with ancient figures from the Xia and Shang dynasties, such as Xi Zhong and Zhong Hui, leaving their everlasting footprints here.

The area is rich in mineral resources. As early as the Yuan and Ming dynasties, coal mining took place here. In 1920, the Zhongxing Company established mines in the region and built a dedicated railway line for operations. As a result, Taozhuang earned the nickname “Little Kiln” and became one of the first two officially established towns in Zaozhuang City. Other identified resources include limestone, aluminum, and more. More detailed information about Taozhuang Town ++