Linyi Qiyuan

Linyi Qiyuan

Qiyuan is an ancient and exotic garden primarily featuring rare and precious trees, ancient trees, unusual rocks, cultural stone carvings, root carvings, and valuable potted plants. Built against a backdrop of classical Chinese architecture, it is aptly named “Qiyuan” (meaning “Exotic Garden”). The garden is situated on the east side of the Yishui River Bridge on Yimeng Road in Linyi’s North New District, overlooking the Yishui River. It spans over 200 acres, with an investment of more than 50 million RMB. Its foundation was laid in October 2007, and after two years of construction, it officially opened to the public on October 1, 2009. In November 2011, it passed evaluation and was officially designated as a National AAA-level Tourist Attraction.

Qiyuan is a key landscape project planned by the Linyi Municipal Government. It integrates sightseeing, scientific research, collection and exchange, propagation of rare plants, and protection of ancient trees, making it both a unique scenic garden and a key ecological project with public welfare significance in Linyi. The entire project was specifically designed and planned by the Design Institute of Zhejiang University and the Shenzhen Design Institute. The classical-style architecture in the garden draws inspiration from the architectural style of imperial gardens, while also incorporating local elements unique to the Yimeng Mountain region, resulting in structures that are elegant, classic, splendid, and widely appealing. Within the garden, classical buildings, rockeries, natural stone pathways, small bridges over flowing water, along with a wide variety of notable trees, potted plants, massive root carvings, and stone sculptures, all come together to create a harmonious ecological environment. The garden boasts a rich collection of species, including 60 types of national first- and second-class protected plants, over 300 ancient trees aged over 100 years, 20 trees aged between 300 and 500 years, 18 trees over 500 years old, more than 20 national first- and second-class prize-winning potted plants, over 4,000 high-tech propagated rare tree species, more than 600 unusual rocks, and over 200 cultural stone carvings.

Protecting the ancient and notable trees, as well as rare and native tree species of Linyi’s Yimeng Mountain region, is a major goal of the Qiyuan expansion. In recent years, Qiyuan has carried out substantial work in this regard, earning support and recognition from higher-level authorities. Building on its existing foundation, the garden will further advance toward specialization, scaling up, and public welfare. While preserving Linyi’s ecological resources, special emphasis is placed on the protection, breeding, and research of existing ancient trees and rare/native species. A dedicated protection base has been established for this purpose. The Linyi Municipal Government has shown strong support and commitment, allocating land free of charge for the construction of this protection base and formulating corresponding development plans.

Qiyuan is magnificent and enchanting, a place where the spirit of nature and the essence of history converge. Rich in natural bounty and blessed with pleasant scenery, Qiyuan offers visitors a culturally rich experience immersed in timeless charm. It is truly the best choice for sightseeing, vacationing, plant appreciation, and collection exchanges.