Hanzhong Folk Garden

　　Hanzhong Folk Garden is situated adjacent to the 10,000-mu flower and seedling base in Zongying Town, spanning more than 200 acres. With the mission of promoting folk culture, it integrates landscape art and traditional architecture, reflecting distinctive local and ethnic features. As such, it is regarded as an important window into this vibrant part of Hanzhong.

　　According to Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), in the 26th year of Duke Li of Qin, “the Left Shuzhang built a wall at Nanzheng.” This indicates that in 451 BC, Hanzhong saw the construction of its first city wall. In 206 BC, Xiang Yu enfeoffed Liu Bang as the King of Han, with his capital at Nanzheng. The Han Terrace was the site of his palace. From Hanzhong, Liu Bang rose to conquer the empire, founding the Western Han Dynasty. He developed the economy, expanded territory, and greatly enhanced his prestige. Since then, the Chinese people have been referred to as “Han” by neighboring countries, leading to the emergence of terms such as the Han people and Han culture. As a result, Hanzhong became widely known.

　　Duicai Garden: Stacked layers of stones form hills, complemented by green water, expressing a sense of tranquility, serenity,

　　and reverence for nature.

　　Children’s Playground: Inflatable toys, slides, merry-go-rounds, seesaws, swings—perfect for parents and children to play together, enjoy family fun, and fully embrace childlike joy.

　　The garden features a multipurpose hall that can serve as a dining room during meals, a ballroom for dancing, or a karaoke room for singing. Gathering with friends and family brings great delight—what could be more enjoyable?

　　Adjacent to the multifunctional hall is the Osmanthus Garden, which can accommodate up to 600 diners. In front of the multifunctional hall and the Osmanthus Garden lies

　　the garden square. Lush flowers, green lawns, elegant potted plants—it’s a wonderful place to enjoy the charm of garden scenery. Sit at a stone table, sip tea leisurely, feel completely at ease, and you might just be overcome with the desire to retreat from the world and savor the feeling of “returning to nature after being cooped up too long.” There are several such garden areas. If you’re interested, you may also want to visit the over-100-acre garden viewing area, where more than 500 varieties of rare flowers and seedlings, plus over 2,000 high-end potted plants, will surely dazzle you and make you reluctant to leave.

　　The Jade Emperor Pavilion is the highest point in the garden, built from the earth excavated when creating the fishpond. The classic pavilion is simple and elegant, while the statue of the Jade Emperor looks serene. From here, you can overlook the entire garden. If you wish to make a wish, light some incense.

　　For rest and accommodation, the quadrangle courtyard area is your ideal choice. It combines the atmosphere of a traditional courtyard with modern residential facilities—Simmons beds, two beds per room, two rooms per courtyard—offering complete, diverse functions at an affordable price, peaceful and comfortable. The three courtyards are named “Zhaoxian Residence,”

　　“Qingfeng Residence,”

　　and “Mingyue Residence,” facing the “Eight Immortals Bridge,”

　　“General Bridge,”

　　and “Zhuangyuan Bridge,” all shaded by green trees and surrounded by clear water, allowing you to experience the charm of Jiangnan’s picturesque bridges and flowing streams.

　　Hanzhong folk culture is the main theme of this garden. Folklore is an essential part of culture.

　　“Customs vary within ten miles, traditions differ within a hundred.” To highlight the folk theme and promote the collection, organization, research, and development of folk culture, the Hanzhong Folk Culture Research Association was established based here. The Hanzhong Folk Artists Association also uses this site as its activity base, building an 80-meter-long Folk Culture Corridor and the Hanzhong Folk Museum, all aimed at “enlivening folk culture and inspiring national spirit.”

　　Hanzhong Folk Garden houses the most recognized cultural corridor embodying Hanzhong’s folk characteristics, displaying over 360 photos divided into eight sections.

　　The first section is an aerial view of the folk garden—stop and gaze, and the whole garden comes into view.

　　Hanzhong Folk Garden was built by Hanzhong Xinhua Bookstore, riding the strong momentum of the Western Development Initiative, with an investment of over 5 million yuan. It boasts excellent hardware facilities, comprehensive service offerings, and standardized quality services, winning favor among domestic and international tourists. It enjoys high recognition and has become a flagship of Hanzhong’s rural tourism industry.

　　The second section features a tourist map of Hanzhong, helping visitors understand the garden’s location within Hanzhong’s tourism network and offering guidance for further exploration, saving time and detours.

　　The third section showcases the efforts of Hanzhong Xinhua Bookstore, led by General Manager Wang Jisheng, in continuously innovating to spread advanced culture. Next to the water park is a fishpond for fishing enthusiasts. The pond is home to crucian carp, carp, and pomfret. You may bring your own fishing rod or rent one on-site. Fish caught are priced by weight, at 5 to 8 yuan per jin. Fishing is a great activity for cultivating the mind and spirit. It’s vividly described as: at first, the top moves but the bottom doesn’t; then neither moves; after a while, the bottom moves and so does the top; and finally, the top is happy while the bottom hurts.

　　The fourth section presents the scenic highlights of Hanzhong. Through these photos, you can get to know Hanzhong and admire its beautiful scenery.

　　The fifth section features Hanzhong folk paper-cutting by Bian Fenglan, an elementary school teacher and member of the Hanzhong Folk Artists Association. With ingenuity and skill, she tears and cuts paper to bring flowers, birds, insects, and fish vividly to life. Compared to the bold and rough style of northern Shaanxi paper-cutting, hers carries more of the delicacy and refinement of a watery region, forming her own unique style acclaimed locally.

　　The sixth section displays works by Master Photographer Ma Ruiping. Deeply attached to her hometown, and basing her work solely on documented descriptions of Zibai Mountain—“Ninety-two peaks, eighty-two flats, seventy-two caves”—she courageously explored the cliffs 26 times despite danger, presenting photos of the ecological and geological wonders around Zibai Mountain, the site of Zhang Liang Temple. The so-called “flats” are actually highland meadows, shaped like pot-shaped sinkholes. Countless sinkholes dot the mountain’s summit across dozens of square kilometers, interconnecting into a breathtaking and magnificent landscape. These sights have become valuable resources for tourism development in Liuba County.

　　The seventh section features Hanzhong folk songs. The nationally and internationally renowned Peasant Poets Society of Hanzhong was born in the vicinity of the folk garden. Let me recite one of their songs, “Thinking of You”:

　　“Thinking of you, thinking of you, truly thinking of you. I hire a painter to draw you. The portrait is pasted on my basket, so carrying the basket is like carrying you. Thinking of you, thinking of you, truly thinking of you. I hire a painter to draw you. The portrait is pasted in my bedroom, so opening my eyes means seeing you.” This folk song is simple in language and sincere in emotion—far more genuine than those...

　　Isn’t that doggerel line — “A cook at home, a pretty crowd around, a sweetheart when you’re out, and someone to miss far away” — quite flavorful?

　　The eighth section is an authentic record of extensive folk cultural activities organized by folk artists, with participation from many leading officials and cultural celebrities, generating significant social impact. Here you’ll find the stone engraving author and photo of Wu Daozi’s “Eighty-Seven Immortals Scroll,” as well as Mr. Gu Yangfeng, creator of the “World’s No. 1 Stone Harp.” His stone harp once represented China at the Kunming Expo, displayed in Hall Zero. After visiting the Folk Culture Corridor, you’re sure to feel that Hanzhong is indeed a place blessed with natural beauty and remarkable people.

　　The park includes residential areas that are fully equipped and comfortable, and guests are welcome to stay. There is a large conference hall that can accommodate meetings for 260 people. Next to it are two smaller meeting rooms that complement each other.

　　The bath center mainly offers bathing services, with both large pools and private rooms, suitable for both single visitors and groups. After bathing, you can visit the beauty and hairdressing center for a haircut, facial, massage, or health treatment to relieve travel fatigue. These ponds are a mix of wet and dry areas, serving as a leech farming site. Leeches, commonly known as horseflies, require both water and land to thrive, which is why the setup is designed this way. Leeches can be made into delicacies and have very high medicinal value.

　　The second area of the quadrangle courtyard complex has seven sets in total. The houses are even more spacious. “Baolai Ju” features murals on either side of the entrance depicting the Shrine of the Generals and the Ancient Plank Road. Further inside is “Ruyi Ju,” with murals of Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong, two of the Five Tiger Generals of the Shu Han. They made remarkable contributions to the establishment of the Shu Han regime and, like Han Xin, were outstanding talents. This is “Jixiang Ju.” The murals on either side of its entrance are all related to the history of the Three Kingdoms, aiming to showcase the image of Zhuge Liang. His “Longzhong Plan” is widely celebrated; his image as a wise man with a “feather fan and silk headscarf, talking and laughing calmly” has always been highly respected. Ahead, there are another four quadrangle courtyards: “Xihé Ju,”

　　“Anshùn Ju,”

　　“Shoushan Ju,”

　　and “Fuhǎi Ju.” Wishing everyone family harmony, safe travels, a long life like the southern mountains, and blessings as vast as the eastern seas.

　　Water Park: The waterwheel carries rich folk cultural significance and is often used in rivers. Powered by the force of water, it rotates to lift water from low to high ground for agricultural irrigation. The pedal-operated waterwheel before you requires the combined effort of two people — partly to let you experience the hard work of farmers in the old days, and partly to test how well the two of you coordinate. You can also try riding a water bicycle or rowing a boat on the water.

　　While enjoying recreation and fishing, take a stroll along the streams by the ancient pavilions for a unique experience. Counting from that side, there are six ancient pavilions in total: “Zuiyue Ting,”

　　“Guanyun Ting,”

　　“Wanghu Ting,”

　　“Tingyu Ting,”

　　“Lanyue Ting,”

　　and “Yinfeng Ting.” Someone once sighed: