Xitang in Chenghai

Xitang in Chenghai

Xitang in Chenghai is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Guangdong Province.

The famous garden "Xitang" in Chenghai was first built in the fourth year of the Jiaqing reign during the Qing Dynasty (1799) and expanded again during the Guangxu era under the guidance of a master craftsman in the style of Suzhou gardens. Though covering just over an acre, Xitang features pavilions, towers, rockeries, lotus ponds, reception halls, studies, and a rich variety of ornamental plants. Behind the entrance hall is a round moon-gate, and beyond it lies a courtyard floor paved with red and black pebbles, forming a carpet-like design of twin phoenixes facing a peony. The area is elegant and tranquil, with a winding stream surrounded by carved railings. Right ahead stands a massive artificial hill. At the foot of the hill is a cave called "Crane's Nest," which once housed white parrots. Above the cave, rugged rocks rise sharply, with the four bold and graceful characters "Autumn Water and Boundless Sky" inscribed on the stone wall. The stone path below winds and twists.

Beside a small bridge, several golden bamboo stalks sway low over a cluster of rocks engraved with the two characters “Yi Shuang” (meaning “to enjoy the refreshing breeze”). Along a narrow stone path, you can climb up the artificial hill. Atop the hill sits a pavilion, next to which rocky outcrops shaped like lions stand tall, accompanied by rocks resembling monkeys, dogs, deer, and horses, as well as a tiered pagoda and a zither-shaped platform. To the north of the hill, a building faces the pond, with flying eaves reflected in the water, creating a serene and quiet atmosphere. Behind the hexagonal waterside pavilion, right in the center, rises a tall stone wall about one person’s height. To the southwest is a reception hall, exquisitely furnished, where the chirping of birds and fragrance of flowers can be enjoyed. In the past, it displayed calligraphy and paintings by renowned scholars, including authentic works by Tang Yin, Lu Runxiang, and He Shaoji, and also housed a complete set of the Twenty-Four Histories. Opposite the hall, orchids and camellias bloom in fragrant competition.

Beneath the green ceramic windows of the enclosing wall stand two petrified wood pillars, nestled among green foliage, weathered and mottled, yet uniquely quaint. Due to ant erosion and wind damage, the stone lion on the hillside collapsed and the pavilion tilted. It has now been carefully restored by the owner and is once again worth seeing. Over the years, the garden has seen a continuous stream of overseas Chinese visitors and tourists. Scholars from South China Institute of Technology specializing in garden research have visited the site several times for field studies, and the Beijing Film Studio production crew of "Invincible Lovers' Legs" filmed scenes here on November 12, 1987.

Tangxi Village: Located on the western side of the area and bordering the large Datang water body to the north, hence the name. In 1950, it was merged with Xinxing Street and Yuexue to form Xinguang Village. In 1968, Xinguang Village was split, and the original name was restored. The village has 1,718 households and a population of 6,172, with nearly 2,000 non-agricultural residents; the land area covers 3,276.70 mu, including 2,104.40 mu of arable land. In 2007, the village’s total economic income was 53.02 million yuan, with collective income of 505,000 yuan and per capita farmer income of 4,518 yuan. In recent years, Tangxi Village has seen significant economic development. Currently, the village cultivates rice and apples totaling 1... More details about Tangxi Village++

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units