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Garden of Harmonious Interests

Published: 2026-11-16 👁 100 views

Last updated 2026-11-16 — The Garden of Harmonious Interests was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, modeled after the Jichang Garden at the foot of Huishan in Wuxi. It was originally named Huishan Garden. After its completion, Emperor Qianlong wrote the "Eight Scenes of Huishan Garden Poem," in which he stated in the preface: "A pavilion and a path alone are enough to create wondrous charm." During the reign of Emperor Jiaqing, the garden was renovated and renamed "Garden of Harmonious Interests." Upon its completion, Emperor Jiaqing wrote in the "Record of the Garden of Harmonious Interests": "It captures the tranquil charm beyond the mundane world and harmonizes with the balanced beauty within a small space—hence the name 'Garden of Harmonious Interests,' which also embodies the spirit of Jichang Garden." How does such charm manifest in this small garden spanning just a few acres? Let’s explore a couple of examples. Located on the eastern foothills of Longevity Hill, the Garden of Harmonious Interests is an independent area with a garden style characteristic of southern China. During the time of the Garden of Clear Ripples, it was called Huishan Garden, built in imitation of Jichang Garden in Huishan, Wuxi. In the 16th year of Jiaqing’s reign (1811), it was renovated, and based on the idea of "capturing the tranquil charm beyond the mundane world and harmonizing with the balanced beauty within a small space," along with Emperor Qianlong’s poetic line “a pavilion and a path alone are enough to create wondrous charm,” it was renamed the "Garden of Harmonious Interests." The garden contains thirteen pavilions, terraces, halls, and pavilions, all interconnected by a hundred-meter-long corridor and five uniquely styled bridges. In the southeastern corner of the garden stands a stone bridge, atop whose stone archway Emperor Qianlong inscribed the three characters “Zhiyu Bridge” (Fish-Knowing Bridge), drawing from the philosophical debate between Zhuangzi and Hui Shi at the “Autumn Floods and Haoshang” debate.

The Garden of Harmonious Interests

　　 The Garden of Harmonious Interests was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, modeled after the Jichang Garden at the foot of Huishan in Wuxi. It was originally named Huishan Garden. After its completion, Emperor Qianlong wrote the "Eight Scenes of Huishan Garden Poem," in which he stated in the preface: "A pavilion and a path alone are enough to create wondrous charm." During the reign of Emperor Jiaqing, the garden was renovated and renamed "Garden of Harmonious Interests." Upon its completion, Emperor Jiaqing wrote in the "Record of the Garden of Harmonious Interests": "It captures the tranquil charm beyond the mundane world and harmonizes with the balanced beauty within a small space—hence the name 'Garden of Harmonious Interests,' which also embodies the spirit of Jichang Garden." The small garden spans just a few acres, but where lies its charm? Here are a couple of highlights. Situated on the eastern foothills of Longevity Hill, the Garden of Harmonious Interests is an independently designed area featuring a garden style typical of southern China. During the time of the Garden of Clear Ripples, it was called Huishan Garden, built in imitation of the Jichang Garden in Huishan, Wuxi. In the 16th year of Jiaqing’s reign (1811), it was renovated. Drawing inspiration from the phrase “It captures the tranquil charm beyond the mundane world and harmonizes with the balanced beauty within a small space,” as well as Emperor Qianlong’s poetic verse “a pavilion and a path alone are enough to create wondrous charm,” it was renamed the "Garden of Harmonious Interests." The garden includes thirteen structures including pavilions, terraces, halls, and pavilions, connected by a hundred-meter corridor and five uniquely designed bridges. In the southeast corner of the garden stands a stone bridge, atop whose stone archway Emperor Qianlong inscribed the three characters “Zhiyu Bridge” (Fish-Knowing Bridge), inspired by the philosophical debate between Zhuangzi and Hui Shi at the “Autumn Floods and Haoshang.”

　　Acoustic Charm

　　Upon entering the Garden of Harmonious Interests, one is greeted by a pond filled with gracefully standing lotus flowers. Among the green bamboo clusters, deep within the shade, mountain spring water flows in several streams into the lotus pond. The source of this mountain spring lies at the eastern end of the back lake of Kunming Lake. The garden was designed with this low-lying terrain primarily to create this flowing spring, forming a one to two-meter drop between the water level of the garden and that of the back lake. Within this one to two-meter elevation difference, layers of rock arrangements divide the water flow, producing a sound that rises and falls melodiously like the tones of a zither. No wonder a large stone lying beside the spring is inscribed with the three characters “Jade Zither Gorge.” This scenic element adds both sound and color to this garden-within-a-garden, constituting what is referred to as the "Acoustic Charm" of the Garden of Harmonious Interests.

　　Architectural Charm (of the Tower)

　　To the west of the Jade Zither Gorge stands the Zhuxin Tower (Tower of New Vistas). From inside the garden, the tower appears to have two stories, but when viewed from the outside, it looks like only one. This is because the lowest point of the downhill path in front of the palace gate of the Garden of Harmonious Interests gradually rises as you move forward, allowing visitors to directly step into the upper level of the Zhuxin Tower. This design—seeming like a tower but not quite—is referred to as the "Architectural Charm (of the Tower)."

　　Bridge Charm

　　The Garden of Harmonious Interests features five bridges, among which the Zhiyu Bridge (Fish-Knowing Bridge) is the most famous. Positioned close to the water surface, it offers an excellent vantage point for observing fish. The name "Zhiyu Bridge" draws from a philosophical and witty debate between Zhuangzi and Hui Shi during the Warring States period at the “Autumn Floods and Haoshang.” One said, “The fish are swimming joyfully;” the other retorted, “You’re not a fish—how do you know they’re happy?” The first replied, “You’re not me—how do you know I don’t know the fish are happy?” Using the debater’s own logic against them, this ancient tale adds enjoyment for visitors—a prime example of the "Bridge Charm" within the garden.

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