Nanjing Attractions Xuyuan GardenNanjing Attractions,Nanjing Popular Tourists Attractions Guide
Xuyuan Garden is considered the most famous garden in Jiangnan (south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River).
It also called West Garden. It was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). In the pond there is a marble boat with the inscription "Untied Boat" by Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty.
Kings of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom used to discuss their important military affairs here. Dr Sun Yat-sen often met guests, took a walk, or rested here. During the reign of the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang), it was occupied by the central government. It is no exaggeration to say that Xuyuan Garden is the epitome of contemporary history in China, due to its more than 600 years of changes. The total area of this garden is only 1.4 hectares (about 3 acres), but its design and constructions are exquisite enough to deserve a visit. Trees, flowers, pavilions, temples, rockworks, rare stones, and clear water make it a typical and classical garden of Jiangnan.
Xuyuan Garden is one of the two most famous gardens in Nanjing City, the other being Zhanyuan Garden. Xuyuan's scenery is definitely worth viewing especially due to the garden's historical significance. Xuyuan Garden is small, but exquisite. Its architecture is rather ingenious, exhibiting the unique beauty and charm of southern gardening. The western part of the courtyard is a beautiful classical garden typical of southern style. The garden was called Xuyuan (Balmy Garden) in the Ming Dynasty and served as west garden in the Heavenly King's Palace during the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Period. Dotted with fragrant flowers and plants, towering old trees, shrilling cicadas and hopping birds, bridges over running water, hills mirrored on the lake, and colourful swimming fishes, the garden is full of life everywhere while the magnificent buildings are ornamented with upturned eaves and vivid dragon carvings. Hong Xiuquan -- the Heavenly King and Dr. Sun Yat-sen, as well as the heads of the Nationalist Government, worked here. People wandering about in this place may enjoy the beautiful scenery and fall into reveries about the past.
