Zhongshan Park in Beijing

　　    Zhongshan Park in Beijing is situated in the city center, south of the Forbidden City (the Palace Museum) and west of Tiananmen Square, adjacent to the palace wall. It was originally the Altar of Land and Grain during the Ming and Qing dynasties, built along with the Imperial Ancestral Temple (now the Working People's Cultural Palace) following the Zhou dynasty ritual system of "ancestral temple on the left, altar of land and grain on the right." The park currently covers an area of 230,000 square meters and is a commemorative classical altar and temple garden.

　　　      Located west of Tiananmen Square, the park spans an area of 22.5 hectares. It was originally the Xingguo Temple from the Liao and Jin dynasties, renamed Wanshou Xingguo Temple in the Yuan dynasty. In 1421 (the 19th year of the Yongle reign in the Ming dynasty), when Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di was constructing the Beijing palaces, it was rebuilt into the Altar of Land and Grain according to the "ancestral temple on the left, altar of land and grain on the right" tradition. This was where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices to the God of Earth and the God of Grain. In 1914, it was opened as Central Park. After the passing of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, his body was once laid in state here. To commemorate him, in 1928, patriots including He Qigong, then mayor of Beiping under Feng Yuxiang, renamed it Zhongshan Park.

　　　　       Entering from the southern gate, you pass through the entrance hall and a winding painted corridor before encountering a white marble memorial archway inscribed with “Defend Peace” in the calligraphy of Guo Moruo, topped with blue-glazed tiles (formerly known as the “Klemens von Ketteler Archway” and the “Justice Triumphs Archway”). Looking north, you’ll see a forest of ancient cypresses, most planted during the Ming dynasty. Seven of them are particularly towering, requiring three or four people to encircle their trunks. These uniquely shaped ancient cypresses are said to have been planted during the Liao dynasty and are over a thousand years old. There is also a locust tree embracing a cypress, known as the “Locust-Cypress Embrace,” which remains lush and verdant to this day, a marvelous sight. Continuing westward leads to the outer gate of the altar, guarded by a pair of majestic stone lions—relics from the Northern Song dynasty—excavated and relocated in 1918 from the ruins of an ancient temple in Daming, Hebei.

　　　　       Walking through the gate, you’ll find a green tree-lined path surrounded by fruit trees. At the axis’s center lies the park’s main structure, the Altar of Land and Grain. The altar is square-shaped and consists of a three-tiered platform made of white marble. It is paved with five-colored earth—yellow from the center, cyan from the east, red from the south, white from the west, and black from the north—symbolizing the notion that “all under heaven belongs to the emperor” and representing the five elements: earth, wood, fire, metal, and water. The ancients believed these elements were the foundation of all things. At the center of the altar platform originally stood a square stone pillar called the “Altar Pillar” or “Mountain and River Stone,” signifying “everlasting mountains and rivers.” Half-buried in the earth and later completely buried, the pillar was removed in 1950. The altar is surrounded by colored glazed walls: blue to the east, red to the south, white to the west, and black to the north. On each side stands a white marble Lingxing Gate, adding to the solemn and dignified atmosphere. The emperor regarded the “Land and Grain” as symbolic of the nation and believed he had received the Mandate of Heaven. To pray for bountiful harvests, he would come here for worship on the morning of the day of the waxing moon in the second month of spring and autumn. Ceremonies were also held here for military expeditions, returns, prisoner surrenders, droughts, floods, and other events. North of the altar is the “Worship Hall,” also known as the Hall of Offerings or Sacrificial Hall. This grand wooden structure has a width of five bays and a depth of three, with yellow-glazed tiles, a single-eave hip-and-gable roof, white marble terrace, and no ceiling. Its beams, brackets, and imperial-style paintings remain exposed. It is the best-preserved Ming dynasty architecture. In 1925, Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s coffin was placed here for public mourning. In 1928, it was renamed Zhongshan Hall by patriots including then-mayor He Qigong. The two sides of the hall’s rear door originally displayed 72 silver-plated iron halberds, hence the name “Halberd Gate.” All the halberds were looted by the Eight-Nation Alliance during their invasion of Beijing. Southwest of the Altar of Land and Grain are auxiliary buildings such as the Divine Kitchen, Divine Storehouse, and Animal-Slaughtering Pavilion.

　　　　       To the east of the altar lies a tranquil area called Changqing Garden, featuring rockeries, flower stands, flower stands, and potted plants. Among the verdant pines and cypresses, complemented by firs and bamboos, are attractions such as the Pine-Cypress Harmony Pavilion, the Wine-Throwing Pavilion, and the Laijin Yu Pavilion. To the west is the Tanghua Wu, a greenhouse nurturing various rare flowers and plants, blooming vibrantly all year round, exuding springtime vitality. Other structures here include the Yinghui Pavilion, Orchid Room, Waterside Pavilion, Siyi Studio, Chunming Pavilion, and Huaying Tower.

　　　　       Additionally, several ancient buildings relocated from elsewhere have been incorporated into the park. West of the Tanghua Wu are the renowned “Orchid Pavilion Stele Pavilion” and “Eight Pillars of the Orchid Pavilion,” originally part of the Forty Scenes of the Old Summer Palace. They were relocated here in 1917. The octagonal pavilion with double eaves and blue-glazed tiles features a central stone stele engraved with the “Orchid Pavilion Gathering and Winding Stream Drinking Game Painting” and poems about the Orchid Pavilion written by Emperor Qianlong. The eight stone pillars are inscribed with calligraphic copies of Wang Xizhi’s Orchid Pavilion Preface by master calligraphers throughout history, making them valuable stone carving relics. The Xili Pavilion, moved here in 1915 from the Qing dynasty’s Ministry of Rites, was originally built in the Honglu Temple and served as a place for newly arrived officials and foreign envoys to practice court etiquette.

　　　　       The rear of the park features a grove of cypresses. Boating is available on the moat, and ice-skating is possible during winter freezes. Across the water, the Forbidden City creates a picturesque scene of shimmering ripples and towers. In Vancouver, Canada, there is also a Zhongshan Park, reflecting the strong nostalgia of Chinese immigrants, overseas Chinese, and students through its landscapes, bridges, and corridors. Located in the eastern part of downtown Vancouver, adjacent to Chinatown and neighboring the Chinese Cultural Centre, it is said to be the first full-scale reproduction of a classical Chinese garden—the Suzhou-style garden—built outside China. Construction began in March 1985, and the park officially opened on April 24, 1986. Led by architects Wang Zuxin and Feng Xiaolin, a team of 52 experts from Suzhou, China, worked closely with Vancouver architects Wei Yazhu and set designer Deng Yun for a full year to complete the project. Most materials used in Zhongshan Park came from China, such as delicate glazed tiles, exquisitely carved wooden ornaments, various lattice windows, rockery stones, and pebbles for paths.

　　　　       Zhongshan Park includes the four essential elements of a classical Chinese garden: pavilions, terraces, towers, and halls. The garden’s design reflects the philosophy of Taoism, balancing ruggedness with smoothness, brightness with darkness, large with small, and strength with softness. There are both serene lakes covered with water lilies and babbling streams beneath small bridges. Among the plants, pines, bamboos, and plum blossoms are especially prominent. These were traditionally associated with virtues such as integrity, uprightness, and friendship, offering timeless inspiration. The undulating rocks and rugged paths, along with uneven stone steps, contrast with the straight, neat corridors adorned with carvings of flowers, birds, insects, and plants, as well as the square, orderly bases of waterside pavilions and terraces. More intriguingly, despite its compact size, the park offers a continuous, ever-surprising journey, creating a feeling of “finding a new village after emerging from willows and flowers.” On summer evenings, traditional Chinese music concerts are often held at Huafeng Hall opposite the waterside pavilion. A performance of “Spring River Flower Moon Night,” set against the backdrop of shimmering water and mountain scenery, transports visitors to distant times and faraway lands, leaving them enchanted.

　　　　       In late 1993, a bronze statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen was ceremoniously erected at the park’s entrance. The half-figure statue, atop a dark gray granite base, stands approximately 3 meters tall. With a solemn expression and profound gaze, it commands deep respect. The statue was sculpted by renowned Chinese artist Professor Zeng Zhushao and gifted to the park by the China Overseas Exchange Association and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. On the unveiling day, representatives from the Canadian government, the Chinese Consul General in Vancouver, and members of the park management committee attended the ceremony and delivered speeches: Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s name lives on with the Chinese nation; his statue remains with the Chinese community in Vancouver; and his ideals live on with world peace and progress.

　　　　       Zhongshan Park is a microcosm of the Chinese homeland and a crystallization of Chinese culture. The statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen embodies the indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation.

Zhongshan Park in Beijing is aAAAA-level attraction

Zhongshan Park in Beijing