Liuzhaizihua Park

Liuzhaizihua Park

Liuzhaizihua Park

Zihua Park is situated in Longmazhuang, Liuzhai Town, Nandan County, about 48 kilometers from downtown Nandan. Also known as "Longma Park," it is the former residence of the patriotic general and former Vice Chairman of the Guangxi Regional Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr. Mo Shujie. In 1934, Mo Shujie constructed this estate in honor of his grandfather, Mo Zihua. As a result, the esteemed Yu Youren personally inscribed the name “Zihua Park,” and the original inscription was mounted on a bluestone slab measuring two meters in length and 0.7 meters in height, serving as the gate plaque. It was hung above the entrance gate of the park, hence giving the park its name, “Zihua Park.”

Covering an area of over 200 acres, Zihua Park features various structures such as watchtowers and pavilions, forming a comprehensive architectural complex that blends Chinese and Western styles and harmonizes cultural and martial elements. The park’s entrance gate is pavilion-style, facing southeast. At the center of the roof ridge sits a gourd sculpture, symbolizing the traditional Chinese blessing of both happiness and prosperity. At the ends of the ridge are two dragons facing each other, representing the concept of dragons guarding treasure. The four hip ridges curl upward like phoenix tails, signifying harmony between dragons and phoenixes. The eaves and brackets are adorned with elegant blue-green five-tone color paintings, embodying the notion of encompassing all things. The building’s windows are fully open on all sides, naturally admitting light and air. Behind the gatehouse lies a two-meter square goldfish pond, surrounded by seasonal flowers and osmanthus trees, from which a shaded flower path extends.

At the heart of the park lies a one-meter square spring well, whose water is sweet and milky in flavor, hence named “Milk Spring.” Crafted ingeniously by artisans, the spring water flows out mirror-clear and waveless, yet produces a gentle murmuring sound. Below the well is a large pool used by garden workers for bathing.

On the southern side of the park is the former residence of Mr. Mo Shujie, a multi-level, mountain-side courtyard house built with large bluestone slabs. The upper floor features a Zhuang-style nine-beam, eighteen-rafter wooden frame, with upturned eaves and painted walls, exuding grandeur. A few dozen meters away from the residence is the Mo Family Cemetery. Mo Shujie’s grandfather, Mo Yungui, served as Dengshilang (a ninth-rank civil official) during the late Qing Dynasty. The couplet on his tombstone reads, “The Martial Star faces the hall; the land is spirit-rich, ensuring noble and outstanding descendants. The Literary Peak layers the hills; the burial site is truly propitious, bringing lasting wealth and honor.” The tomb is designed for a husband-and-wife burial. The tombstone is arranged side-by-side. The inscribed couplet on the tombstone reads, “Horse-tail banners and celestial steeds guard Luocheng, fame echoes across the four seas; ornamental columns mark the dwelling of nobles at the water’s mouth, ranking among the Three Terraces.” Mo Shujie’s parents are buried just to the front right of the tomb of Mo Yungui and his wife. Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi inscribed the epitaphs for these two tombs, while the surrounding areas and railings feature inscriptions by numerous military and political figures and their acquaintances, including Huang Xuchu, Ye Qi, and Yang Qingshan. The cemetery is grand in scale, with beautifully crafted tombs.

When the park was established, Mr. Mo Shujie introduced a variety of fruit trees, such as seedless persimmons, Xinjiang crystal grapes, and premium plums, many of which have now grown into fruitful groves. The locally produced Longma tea is a high-quality, renowned variety. The park enjoys a serene environment, shaded by lush trees and filled with birdsong and floral fragrance, making it an ideal destination for vacationing and leisure.