Xiangzhang Garden in Shiqiao Town

Xiangzhang Garden in Shiqiao Town

The Xiangzhang Garden project in Shiqiao Town has a total investment of 15 million yuan, with a planned area of 300 mu. Construction began in October 2008 and is now taking initial shape, with development to be completed within two years. Currently, the main structures for dining, entertainment, and accommodation are largely completed, covering a construction area of 4,000 square meters. Planting and greening, as well as lighting projects for ornamental trees such as camphor trees, are progressing steadily.

Upon entering the park, you’ll see two rows of tall roadside trees — camphor trees. These fragrant trees can be used to make incense and are also excellent material for furniture. In ancient times, families in the Jiangnan region would plant a camphor tree when a daughter was born. When she grew up and got married, they would make her dowry furniture from the camphor wood. Some clever matchmakers, seeing that the camphor tree at the door had grown tall but not been cut down, would know the daughter was still unmarried and might even come to propose marriage.

Among the people, camphor trees are often regarded as landscape or feng shui trees, symbolizing warding off evil, longevity, and good fortune. Camphor trees are highly favored by urban and rural residents alike, and cities such as Hangzhou, Yiwu, and Ma'anshan have designated them as their “city tree.”

Camphor trees are quite distinctive. Their bark is rough, yet the texture is very uniform — never mottled like poplar, nor knotty like willow. Their branches and trunks split into two, then four, growing steadily without cutting corners or overdoing it. The canopy takes on a spherical shape, drawing elegant curves against the sky. As a result, art students love using camphor trees as subjects for sketching. Even more uniquely, camphor trees emit a special fragrance that repels insects, so they rarely require pesticide spraying from gardeners.

In recent years, with comprehensive social and economic development, and once basic survival needs are met, people’s thinking and values have undergone tremendous changes. The impact of the ecological environment on humanity and the importance of protecting it have become widely recognized. The pursuit of improved quality of life and enriched life experiences continues to be a new goal. Against this backdrop, an emphasis on leisure, entertainment, and eco-tourism has become a leading trend among the well-off. Xiangzhang Garden in Shiqiao Town has been included in Jining City’s key tourism project database and was rated as a Shandong Provincial Agricultural Tourism Demonstration Site in 2012. Conveniently located, Xiangzhang Garden in Shiqiao Town welcomes your visit.

Address: 1,200 meters west of Qianli Village, Shiqiao Town, Rencheng District, Jining City, Shandong Province

Business Hours: 24 hours

Recommended Visiting Time: About 3 hours

Featured Attractions: Ornamental trees such as camphor trees

Suggested Tour Route: Visitors may explore freely.

Supporting Facilities:

The garden offers dining, accommodation, and entertainment facilities.

Transportation Guide

Self-Drive Directions:

Take the Rilan Expressway — exit at Jining West — follow S327 — G105 — G327 — Jia’anqiao Road — G327 — head toward Beihu Ecological Wetland — after crossing the Guangfu Lake traffic bridge, you will arrive at the scenic area.