People's Red Garden

　　People's Red Garden is situated in the northwest corner of Linxia City. Originally a grassy and wooded area along the Hongshui River, it was turned into a garden in 1958. The garden’s architecture uniquely blends the delicate and refined style of classical gardens from southern China with the grand and majestic features of local ethnic architecture in Linxia. The pavilions are exquisitely designed and uniquely shaped, featuring upturned eaves, carved beams, and painted rafters, all showcasing exceptional craftsmanship that has earned widespread acclaim across northwestern China. It masterfully integrates Han Chinese wood carvings, Hui Muslim brick carvings, and Tibetan murals, resulting in an overall layout that is both harmonious and elegant, with a rustic charm. Halls, pavilions, corridors, terraces, waterside pavilions, walls, and screens each have their own distinctive character. The Purple-Speckled Peony and century-old potted plants are renowned both within and beyond the province. It is the only park in the region listed in the "China Travel Attractions Dictionary" and is now a national AA-level scenic spot. This is a classical-style garden primarily characterized by traditional architecture, potted plants, and water features. The “Paifang Gate” built during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and the “Fengling Pavilion” constructed in the early Republican period were gradually added to the garden after 1958, and are considered treasured pieces of classical Linxia architecture.

　　The entire Red Garden is divided into three parts: the front courtyard is a flower garden, the middle courtyard consists of architectural complexes and an artificial lake, while the rear courtyard houses a zoo. The main structures include the Paifang Gate, Qinghui Pavilion, Stone Arch Bridge, Ruyi Lake, Tuanjie Hall, Potted Plant Courtyard, Yile Hall, and the Curving Corridor. The architects drew inspiration from the landscaping art of Suzhou gardens, skillfully applying techniques such as shifting perspectives and layering scenes to create a space that feels intricate yet not cramped, serene yet not empty, combining motion and stillness with rich variations and delightful details. Walking through the Paifang Gate along an elegant path shaded by fragrant flowers and willows, you’ll encounter the Qinghui Pavilion extending in a straight line, spacious and majestic. Two symmetrically placed octagonal pavilions, Qingbi and Jicui, stand facing each other, complemented by two large brick-carved screen walls with meticulous compositions and exquisite craftsmanship, forming the first highlight of the garden’s classical architecture. Many of the brick carvings in the Red Garden are masterpieces by Zhou Shengpu, a renowned Hui Muslim brick carving artist, and his family. On the screen wall south of the Yizi Pavilion, the “Mount Tai Sunrise” employs the traditional Chinese painting technique of lotus-leaf embedding, depicting two towering peaks, a perilous stone path between them, and a stately pagoda atop, giving viewers a sense of being there in person. On the north side, the “Pomegranate and Double Happiness” screen is dainty and charming, featuring lush pomegranate branches heavy with fruit, and a pair of magpies appearing to have feasted on the pearl-like seeds, one lifting a claw to wipe juice from its beak. The ingenious concept and outstanding carving skill vividly bring the scene to life on the small bricks, truly breathtaking. Many of the large-scale brick carvings preserved in Linxia Red Garden are considered peerless works of Linxia brick art, including the majestic “Landscape Painting,” the graceful and luxurious “Peony Painting,” the noble and elegant “Bamboo Painting,” the proud and blooming “Chrysanthemum Painting,” the quaint and mystical “Wisteria Painting,” and the “Pomegranate Painting,” all masterpieces by the renowned sculptor Zhou Shengpu.

　　Entering the northern section, or middle courtyard, you’ll find a vast open space. Looking up, you can see the Taoist shrine Wanshou Guan atop the northern plateau, facing the garden, with the particularly striking “Qianyuan Tower.” The Tuanjie Hall boasts upturned eaves, splendid construction, intricate decoration, and radiant colors. The plaque of Tuanjie Hall was inscribed by the eminent sociologist Fei Xiaotong. The hall symbolizes the unbreakable unity among the various ethnic groups in Linxia. As an inscription reads: “Six battlefronts turned to peaceful construction, great achievements etched in this land; seven ethnic groups dancing together, profound unity witnessed by this hall.” The garden within Tuanjie Hall also features traditional Linxia plants such as pine, cypress, lilac, and winter jasmine, creating a shaded grove filled with fragrance, fluttering bees and butterflies—an enchanting sight that captivates visitors.

　　Ruyi Lake is located at the very center of the middle courtyard. With a depth of 1.5 meters, the lake stretches 95 meters from east to west and 60 meters from north to south. A stone arch bridge spans the lake from north to south, connecting the two sides. The most ingenious feature is the twin pavilions built atop the bridge—small, delicate, and uniquely designed, resembling a pair of affectionate young women gazing at each other tenderly. This design echoes the legendary Sister Peaks at the entrance of the Bingling Temple Grottoes, sharing a similar artistic concept. In Linxia, pavilions come in various shapes—round, square, domed, hexagonal, octagonal, fan-shaped, and twin pavilions—each with unique forms and designs. “Hezhou Brick Carving,” “Hezhou Wood Carving,” and “Hezhou Painting” are hailed as the “Three Treasures” of Hezhou architectural art. The twin pavilions lean gently toward each other like inseparable sisters, while also dividing Ruyi Lake into eastern and western sections. The lakebanks are naturally winding, lined with drooping willows, shimmering blue waters, and dotted with small boats.

　　The Potted Plant Courtyard and Peony Courtyard are separated by a long corridor running east to west. At the center of the courtyards are thousands of precious flowers, while the flower stands on either side showcase the world-renowned Hezhou Purple-Speckled Peonies. The peonies cultivated in Red Garden won a bronze award at the Third China Flower Expo in 1992, earning fame nationwide. Hence, Linxia is also known as the “Little Luoyang.” During the peony blooming season, people flock to the garden for sightseeing and photos. “Peonies may be found everywhere, but none surpass those of Hezhou”—this verse by poet Wu Zhen from Lintao is the highest praise for Linxia’s peonies. The garden is home to over 40 varieties of peonies, such as “Hezhou Pink” and “Jiaotou Vermilion,” as well as over 200 types of flowers including camellias, peonies, roses, and chrysanthemums that bloom year-round. There are also century-old potted pomegranate, ginkgo, and silverwood trees, along with over 200-year-old Bauhinia and Crape Myrtle plants, all uniquely shaped and naturally formed. As the saying goes, “Sit in the garden, and the scenery comes from all sides.” Amidst the lush greenery and changing light, with red blooms crowning the garden and green willows caressing the shore, you’ll come to appreciate the appropriateness of the name “Red Garden.” As a poem describes: “Linxia is lovely, but best remembered is Red Garden. Peonies paint the courtyard red, pavilions lie by the water reflecting the rails, and visitors linger on and on.”

　　Yile Hall is the central structure of the middle courtyard, also known as the Guest Reception Hall. It is a classic example of traditional Chinese quadrangle courtyard architecture. The main Yile Hall faces south, backed by the artificial lake. The building is tall and spacious, with upturned eaves, carved beams, and painted rafters, representing the finest of Red Garden’s hall and living space architecture. To the east and west are side rooms, and to the south is a corridor connected to the side rooms, creating a bright and open courtyard. The entire space is adorned with brick carvings, wood carvings, and colorful paintings, making the courtyard shine brilliantly. The main hall features intricately carved lattice doors and window frames depicting various flowers, plants, and animals. Its soaring upturned corners give it a majestic air, while inside, palace lanterns and gauze curtains add a refined elegance. The corridors on either side of the Guest Reception Hall continue in unison, with vermilion-painted pillars. Inside the square beams, folk artists have painted landscapes, bamboo, plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, birds, and beasts in fine or freehand styles, ingeniously combining architectural corridor with art corridor to highlight the hall’s solemn grandeur. This is a primary venue for receiving distinguished guests in Linxia City and the prefecture, having hosted national leaders such as the Panchen Lama, among others. Here, they discussed strategies for revitalizing Hezhou and planned paths to prosperity for the people of Linxia alongside local officials and representatives from all ethnic groups.

　　In recent years, the Linxia Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, with a focus on culture, livability, commerce, and tourism, have upgraded the urban development of Linxia. They widened and renovated the roads around Red Garden New Village, expanded the Red Garden Cultural Square, reconstructed pathways within the garden, refurbished some pavilions, corridors, and waterside structures, and repainted the ancient buildings. These efforts have revitalized this historic park, elevating its charm and quality. Today, Red Garden serves as the centerpiece, surrounded by the Red Garden Cultural Square and religious and cultural venues such as Dagongbei, Guogongbei, Taizi Gongbei, the Colored Pottery Museum, and the Sports Stadium—making it an ideal destination to experience the ethnic culture, traditions, and the art of brick carving, wood carving, painting, and classical architecture of Hezhou. It attracts numerous locals and tourists every day. The welcoming People's Red Garden opens its gates wide, joyfully greeting visitors from all over.