Zhongshan Zhan Garden

Zhongshan Zhan Garden

Zhongshan Zhan Garden is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Zhongshan Zhan Garden, also known as Zhongshan Grand Mansion Gate, is located in Beitai, South District, Zhongshan City, and is currently the largest private garden in the Lingnan region. Built in 1998, Zhongshan Zhan Garden spans 100 acres. It was personally designed by the owner, Huang Yuanxin, who brought in 100 skilled garden artisans from Suzhou to construct it over five years. The original intention behind building the garden was to create a refined and serene retreat for his mother to enjoy a peaceful retirement. In honor of his mother’s surname, he named it Zhan Garden. Later, deeply touched by her son’s filial piety, and to let everyone experience his act of kindness, his mother suggested opening the garden to the public.

Built against a hill and embracing a waterway on both sides, Zhan Garden not only inherits the traditions of classical Chinese private gardens but also highlights the unique layout of Lingnan water towns. It also incorporates elements of Western garden design, with water features and decorations often taking on geometric forms. The garden’s layout is free-spirited yet well-structured, with buildings carefully sited, featuring concise designs, bright colors, and a simple, unadorned elegance. Together, they create a light, elegant, and graceful Lingnan style. Whether it’s Ming and Qing antiques, thousand-year-old potted plants, stalactite rocks, or decorative windows, plaques, screens, couplets, and murals, each item has been meticulously selected and thoughtfully arranged by the owner — a true testament to sincerity and devotion.

Aside from its grand and elegant architecture, lush and colorful flora, and exquisite tea ceremonies, Zhan Garden also offers a variety of dazzling artistic performances.

Drama – Based on the classic tales from "Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars," various versions of filial stories are performed in ancient, modern, and comedic styles, combining entertainment with life lessons.

Face-Changing – A unique Chinese art form, performed by a master of the craft. Watch as red, yellow, blue, white, and black faces transform before your eyes in the blink of an eye.

Acrobatics – Young performers showcase extraordinary skills, bending their bodies with grace and performing breathtaking feats that leave audiences in awe.

Songs & Dances – A variety of folk dances delight the eye, accompanied by melodies from ancient instruments and chime bells echoing in the air. While enjoying this scenic garden, you can also

appreciate the majestic tones of traditional Chinese music and the refined charm of folk melodies.

Located in Beitai Village, South District, Zhongshan City, right beside National Highway 105, Zhan Garden covers 100 acres and is divided into three areas: Zhan Garden Birthday Celebrations, Qijiang Corridor Bridge, and Zhan Mansion Blessings. The garden centers around the themes of family happiness and longevity, aiming to promote traditional Chinese virtues and foster familial and friendly bonds. Taking the opportunity of celebrating the birthday of the matriarch of the Zhan family, visitors can interact with the Zhan family members, learn about their daily lives, and uncover the secrets to happiness and long life. Through firsthand experiences and reflections, guests embark on an uplifting emotional journey.

With Lingnan characteristics as its foundation, Zhan Garden integrates the essence of classical Chinese garden design while emphasizing the layout of Lingnan water towns. It also draws on Western garden styles, with water features and decorations typically in geometric forms. The garden is spacious and layered, with buildings that are thoughtfully sited, simply yet elegantly designed, brightly colored, and decorated with understated charm. This creates a bright, elegant, and graceful Lingnan aesthetic. Most materials are antique pieces from folk sources, restored and polished to shine anew, with every brick and window reflecting traces of history.

Zhan Mansion Birthday Celebration Area: A gathering of ancient and modern performance arts that highlights strong familial bonds. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by the sounds of drums and joyful cheers. A host leads everyone in singing and dancing. Sages from all walks of life offer birthday congratulations, filling the garden with cheer. Numerous maids embroider the character for “longevity” while singing joyful tunes. The essence of hundreds of flowers is distilled into fragrant vapors that waft through the garden. After a steam bath, Madam Zhan emerges with a radiant glow, handing out longevity sweets to guests and joining them to enjoy a performance in the garden theater.

Qijiang Corridor Bridge Area: A river connects both banks, and corridor bridges stir dreams. Along the riverbanks, watch cowherds with water buffalo, women washing clothes, cormorants on bamboo rafts, and elders fishing. Surrounded by water both inside and outside the garden, the area features many bridges and boats. Corridor pavilions near the bridges showcase local Zhongshan folk customs, where performers sing duets with fishermen downstream — creating a lively atmosphere. Daily performances on the Qijiang River include lantern boat parades and flower-tailed ferry cruises. Visitors can take a boat ride to enjoy the scenery along the river and the garden, or paddle a boat themselves and immerse in the garden's beauty.

Couplets in Zhan Garden:

1. Upper Couplet: The great river flows eastward, waves washing away heroes of old. I ask the green hills beyond the tower, and the white clouds beyond the hills — where are the palaces of Tang and Han?

Lower Couplet: Returning to the small garden in the west, orioles summon a courtyard of beauties. Behold the green trees by the pool, and the red blossoms by the trees — here exists a utopia of peace and prosperity.

2. Upper Couplet: Through the ages, history sings of filial piety.

Lower Couplet: A heart as small as grass repays the warmth of spring.

Address: X580 (Chengnan 6th Road), Zhongshan City

Type: Garden

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0760-23336288

Opening Hours: 8:00–17:30

Ticket: Daytime: 60.00 RMB (Free for military personnel and journalists with valid ID)

Beixi Community: Overview of Beixi Community

In January 2014, with the approval of the "Reply from the Zhongshan Municipal People's Government Office Regarding the Community Integration Work of the South District Office" (Zhongfu Office Letter [2013] No. 368), Beixi Community was established, taking over the jurisdiction previously managed by Beitai, Shuyong, and Fuyong communities. The original Beitai, Shuyong, and Fuyong communities were dissolved.

Former Beitai Community

Beitai is located in the southern part of the South District. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the Liang family abandoned their nearby Stone Village and relocated here. As it lies east of the fragrant North Tai Mountain adorned with blossoms and trees, the prominent clan elder Yang Fengming, together with others... Detailed information about Beixi Community++