Qinghui Garden in Foshan

Qinghui Garden (清晖园), located at 23 Qinghui Road, Daliang Street, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province (广东省佛山市顺德区大良街道清晖路23号), is a Lingnan (Southern China) garden that was originally built during the Ming Dynasty. Covering an area of 22,000 square meters, it is considered one of the four great gardens of Lingnan, alongside Foshan Liang Garden (佛山梁园), Panyu Yuyin Mountain House (番禺余荫山房), and Dongguan Keyuan (东莞可园).

Main Features

The main buildings within the garden include the Boat Hall (船厅), Bixi Grass Cottage (碧溪草堂), Chengyi Pavilion (澄漪亭), Xiyin Study (惜阴书屋), Zhenyan Studio (真砚斋), and Zhuangyuan Hall (状元堂). The garden is home to more than 200 plant species, including several ancient trees and famous trees from both China and abroad. Qinghui Garden once served as the residence of top scholars, including the Zhuangyuan (highest imperial exam graduate) and was also the home of the Long family in Daliang, where many historical figures emerged.

Qinghui Garden is recognized as one of China’s Top Ten Famous Gardens (中国十大名园) and one of the Four Famous Gardens in Guangdong (广东四大名园). It is also designated as a Cultural Heritage Transmission Base (中华文化传承基地), one of the New Eight Scenic Spots of Foshan (佛山新八景), and one of the New Ten Scenic Spots of Shunde (顺德新十景). Known for its intricate design, compact layout, and high architectural quality, the garden integrates classical Chinese architecture, gardens, sculpture, poetry, calligraphy, and grey carving (a type of traditional sculpture in Guangdong).

Historical Significance

In 2007, Qinghui Garden was approved by the China National Tourism Administration as a national AAAA-level tourist attraction (国家AAAA级旅游景区). In 2013, it was officially recognized as a National Key Cultural Heritage Protection Unit by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国国务院).

The garden’s historic and artistic value has made it a significant landmark in the region, and it was designated as a protected site in recognition of its cultural importance.

Historical Background

The garden was originally the Huang Family Ancestral Hall and temple, built in 1621 during the Ming Dynasty under the order of Huang Shijun, a Jinshi (top scholar) of the Ming Dynasty. The area became the precursor to Qinghui Garden. In the Qing Dynasty, particularly during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1711–1799), the site was bought by Long Yingshi, who renovated and expanded the garden, planting flowers and cultivating plants to transform it into a beautiful space.

In 1805, Long Yingshi’s son, Long Yuanren, further expanded the garden and renamed it Qinghui Garden. The garden name was inscribed by Li Zhaoluo, a famous calligrapher from Jiangsu. Later, the garden changed hands and was transformed over time into various smaller gardens, including the Long Taichang Garden (龙太常花园) and the Chuxiang Garden (楚芗园).

During the Japanese occupation in the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Long family moved overseas, and the garden fell into disrepair. In 1959, after a visit by Tao Zhu, the then-Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee, the garden was prioritized for preservation and restoration. Additional buildings such as the Chuxiang Garden, Guangda Garden (广大园), and other structures were added, and it became the Shunde County Party’s guest house.

Restoration and Expansion

Following China’s economic reforms, Qinghui Garden underwent several rounds of renovation, including the addition of dining, accommodation, and parking facilities to meet the needs of tourism and leisure. In the 1990s, Shunde City government carried out further expansions, increasing the garden’s size to 9,795 square meters.

In 2000, the garden underwent another expansion, bringing its total area to 22,500 square meters. In November 2011, the Long family descendants donated valuable historical artifacts, including photos and documents related to the garden and their family, as well as items associated with Long Qiming, a member of the Flying Tigers (飞虎队) during World War II.

Visitor Information

  • Location: 23 Qinghui Road, Daliang Town, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province (广东省佛山市顺德区大良街道清晖路23号)
  • Area: 22,000 m²
  • Protection Level: National Key Cultural Heritage Protection Unit (第七批全国重点文物保护单位)
  • Scenic Rating: AAAA Level (AAAA级景区)

Address:

Qinghui Garden (清晖园), 23 Qinghui Road, Daliang Street, Shunde District, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China

Ticket:

Free entrance for medical workers after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Traffic:

Public transportation options include buses, taxis, and local transport systems.

Notable Structures and Features

  • Boat Hall (船厅): A grand hall for receptions.
  • Bixi Grass Cottage (碧溪草堂): A small cottage with lush greenery and peaceful surroundings.
  • Chengyi Pavilion (澄漪亭): A pavilion located by the lake, perfect for reflection and meditation.
  • Xiyin Study (惜阴书屋): A small library and study area for scholars.
  • Zhenyan Studio (真砚斋): A place for calligraphy and writing.
  • Zhuangyuan Hall (状元堂): The hall dedicated to the highest-ranking imperial scholar in the region.

Poetic and Artistic Legacy

Qinghui Garden is known for its integration of poetry and calligraphy in its design. The gardens feature inscriptions from historical figures like Li Zhaoluo and He Shaoji. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of Chinese literary works as they explore the gardens.

Inscriptions:

One of the inscriptions reads:

“When the breeze stirs the lake’s surface, the distant mountains reflect the setting sun. In the garden, one finds tranquility and peace, while the calligraphy on the walls whispers the wisdom of ages.”

(“微风拂面，湖面荡漾，远山夕阳，园中静谧，墙上书法，传世智慧。”)

Architectural Features

Layout

Qinghui Garden (清晖园) features a large garden containing smaller gardens within it. The three main sections are: the southeastern area accessed through the original main entrance, the central old garden area, and the newer northwest garden area. Although these areas are separated, they are interconnected through walkways, corridors, and small doors, creating a harmonious whole. For example, in the old garden area, the western part is centered around a square pond; the north-central area, with the Ship Hall (船厅) and other buildings, contains the most refined elements. To the south, there are courtyards like the Bamboo Garden (竹苑), Small Pengying (小蓬瀛), and the Calligraphy Pavilion (笔生花馆), forming a layout of “a large garden containing smaller ones,” creating a distinct architectural charm.

The layout of Qinghui Garden (清晖园) is unique with a combination of wide open spaces in the front and more compact areas in the back. It creates a sense of openness without feeling empty and a sense of closeness without being cramped. The architecture is light and flexible, and the garden’s spatial arrangement emphasizes the central water garden, highlighting the grand open spaces surrounded by smaller, intimate spaces.

Main Attractions 

The garden’s major features include: Ship Hall (船厅), Bixie Cottage (碧溪草堂), Chengyi Pavilion (澄漪亭), Hexagon Pavilion (六角亭), Xiyin Study (惜阴书屋), Bamboo Garden (竹苑), Dou Cave (斗洞), Lion Mountain (狮山), Octagonal Pool (八角池), Calligraphy Pavilion (笔生花馆), Gui Ji Lu (归寄庐), Small Pengying (小蓬瀛), Red Lotus Study (红蕖书屋), Feng Lai Peak (凤来峰), Reading Cloud Pavilion (读云轩), Mu Ying Creek (沐英涧), and Liufen Pavilion (留芬阁).

The garden features over a hundred varieties of plants, including common fruits of the Lingnan region, as well as unique species like purple bamboo, holly, wisteria, five-needle pine, golden pine, seven-gourd maple, and feather-leaf maple. Some ancient trees, such as ginkgo, sand willows, wisteria, longan, and water pines, have been growing for over a hundred years.

Ship Hall (船厅)

The Ship Hall (船厅), the main building of Qinghui Garden (清晖园), is a two-story boat-shaped structure modeled after the Pearl River boat “Zidong Ting” (紫洞艇). It is said to be an imitation of the ancient boat-shaped structure, designed as a “dry boat” (旱船). The Ship Hall (船厅) is situated with the Xiyin Study (惜阴书屋) and Zhen Yan Studio (真砚斋) connected by walkways, with a hundred-year-old wisteria linking the buildings. The building’s form is light and elegant, with curved paths leading to the pond in front, enhancing the boat-like theme.

The Ship Hall’s exterior features a double-story brick construction, blending the characteristics of the Pearl River “Zidong Ting” and the famous Wuxi Garden (寄畅园) in Jiangsu. Sculptures of bamboo, banana trees, snails, and water patterns decorate the structure, with winding staircases resembling the ramps used to board a boat. In front of the building, there are two ponds that make the hall appear to float on water, with a willow tree planted at the bow and a wisteria vine growing at the stern. At the back of the Ship Hall stands a rare white cotton tree, known for its pale yellowish-white flowers, and a hundred-year-old ginkgo tree. The Ship Hall is complemented by the Xiyin Study (惜阴书屋) and Zhen Yan Studio (真砚斋), which were once reading spaces for the young masters and mistresses of the house.

Chengyi Pavilion (澄漪亭)

Chengyi Pavilion (澄漪亭) offers a view of the Ship Hall (船厅) across the water and serves as an ideal vantage point to admire the nearby flower pavilion, Yutangchun (玉堂春), and the ancient ginkgo tree. Despite being called a pavilion, the structure is actually a waterside platform with part of the platform extending into the water. The rectangular building is open on one side, allowing visitors to enjoy both indoor and outdoor views, creating an immersive experience with the surrounding natural beauty.

Bixie Cottage (碧溪草堂)

Bixie Cottage (碧溪草堂) is believed to be the oldest building in Qinghui Garden (清晖园), originally used by the family of the Dragon (龙) family to house their mother. After her passing, it was renamed the “Cottage” (草堂). Inside, there’s a hollow bamboo woodcarving light fixture, and on the surrounding doors and windows, forty-eight “longevity” characters are engraved in various calligraphy styles, collectively called the “Hundred Longevity Diagram” (百寿图). This intricate decoration is unique because, unlike the traditional “Hundred Longevity Diagram” made with one hundred characters, this version contains ninety-six longevity characters.

Pool Corridor (池廊)

The Pool Corridor (池廊) connects the Hexagon Pavilion (六角亭) with the Bixie Cottage (碧溪草堂), a space often used by the family’s womenfolk. The beams in the corridor are carved with symbols of various tropical fruits like pineapple, starfruit, and banana. The columns are inscribed with a couplet, which can be translated as: “Cross the water to the yellow-lattice courtyard, gather fragrance to open the mirror-like pond.” This description echoes the charm of the spring breeze in the poem by Li Bai (李白) from his work “Qingping Diao” (《清平调》), referring to the poetic elegance of the setting.

Statue of Deng Xiaoping (邓小平雕像)

On December 17, 2008, a bronze statue of Deng Xiaoping (邓小平) was unveiled at Qinghui Garden (清晖园). The statue was modeled after a 1984 visit to the garden, showing Deng Xiaoping (邓小平) smiling, wearing a Zhongshan suit, standing upright, and walking briskly. Alongside the statue, there are stone carvings of a pair of black and white cats, symbolizing Deng’s famous theory of “black cat, white cat” (黑猫白猫论). The statue is located in front of Qiming Residence (启明居) and will remain there permanently.

Overview

Qinghui Garden (清晖园) exudes an elegant and ancient style, showcasing the essence of Lingnan gardens and the features of Jiangnan gardens. The old residence of the Long family and the newly expanded sections of the garden blend seamlessly, using elements such as clear water, lush trees, decorative walls, screened windows, stone mountains, small bridges, and winding corridors to harmoniously integrate pavilions and other architectural structures. This integration brings together classical Chinese architecture, gardens, sculptures, poetry, paintings, and ash carvings into a unified artistic expression.

Architectural Forms

Qinghui Garden contains a variety of buildings, each representing different classical architectural forms from Chinese gardens, including pavilions, kiosks, halls, chambers, studios, galleries, towers, corridors, and boats. These structures reflect different aesthetic styles depending on their functions.

Borrowed Scenery (借景艺术)

The “borrowed scenery” technique is a common method used in classical Chinese gardens. Instead of creating artificial mountain landscapes, Qinghui Garden incorporates natural views from the surrounding mountains. Three sides of the garden are surrounded by mountains, and platforms and pavilions have been strategically placed to offer distant views. From Fengtai, the distant Feng Mountain (凤山) is visible, and by entering the garden through Fengtai, visitors experience a seamless fusion of the garden’s lush forest and the distant mountain’s green hue. At the northern end of the garden, the lower terrain by the pond offers views of Taiping (太平) and Shenbu (神步) to the east, and Tiyun Mountain (梯云山) to the west. The landscape creates a perfect blend with the nearby pond, offering the effect of a mountain pond seamlessly integrated into the overall scenery.

Architectural Appearance

The architecture in Qinghui Garden typically does not emphasize roof decorations, with modest eaves and no upward-curved corners. The facades often feature large window designs combined with doors, forming floor-to-ceiling windows with intricate patterns, creating a delicate and transparent look. Colored glass is frequently used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of window lattices.

One standout feature is the Linglong Pavilion (玲珑榭), which differs from other garden pavilions. Its structure is designed in the form of a pavilion, but its exterior walls are constructed with eight sides of wood decorated with colored glass panels, making it function both as a pavilion and a hall.

Lingnan Water Town Style

Qinghui Garden exhibits distinct features of the Lingnan water town style. The garden places a heavy emphasis on water features, with wide ponds, narrow stream-like pools, artificial waterfalls of various sizes, and springs gushing from groups of lake stones. The ponds are home to lotus flowers and water lilies. Additionally, the garden incorporates local flora, such as bananas, pineapples, and starfruits, which are presented in decorative patterns through ash carvings, wood carvings, and etched glass.

Some buildings in the garden exhibit distinctive local architectural styles, such as the Boat Hall (船厅), which mimics the unique “Purple Cave Boat” (紫洞艇) on the Pearl River. The delicate internal and external structures preserve the essence of the southern Chinese style from the Qing Dynasty.

Flower Windows

Qinghui Garden features a wide variety of window types. Some are embedded in the courtyard walls, using Shiwan ceramic art to create perforated windows, while others are designed in wavy flower walls, creating hollow spaces with a decorative charm. Some windows are installed in the walls of houses, fixed with wooden grids, and some are in sets of multiple lattices with carvings above and below. Many of these are combined into screens that integrate doors and windows into one.

The window lattices form a variety of patterns, and many windows use Qing Dynasty colored glass, some of which are etched with decorative patterns. This style of window decoration is rare in classical gardens.

Carved Floor Tiles

In various open-air areas of Qinghui Garden, special floor tiles are laid. These tiles are ivory-colored and feature a sunken pattern. They are handmade and unglazed, which gives them a strong moisture-absorbing capacity, leading to the growth of green moss over time.

Blue Bricks and Gray Tiles

Qinghui Garden adopts a minimalist approach in its use of ceramics for decoration. In the entire 20,000 square meter garden, only blue bricks and gray tiles are used, with no ceramic ridge decorations, giving the garden a simple and elegant look.

Artistic Forms 

Qinghui Garden integrates various forms of art, including visual arts (such as painting, gray sculptures, wood carvings, brick carvings, etched glass, and ceramics), literature, and calligraphy. The garden combines the ancient residence of the Long family with the newly expanded sections, using elements like clear water, lush trees, ancient walls, screened windows, stone mountains, small bridges, and winding corridors, all blending with pavilions and architectural structures. This fusion highlights the heroic, unusual, dangerous, quiet, beautiful, and expansive features of traditional Chinese courtyard architecture. The architectural shapes are unique and meticulous, with ancient and beautiful doors and windows, while the lush trees and ancient-style pavilions and terraces are interwoven.

Cultural Relics 

Qinghui Garden (清晖园) is home to many historical treasures, including a rare set of colored glass carvings from the Qing Dynasty, known as the “Eight Views of Yangcheng” (羊城八景). These carvings, dating from the Qianlong period (1736-1795), are the only surviving set and have been initially identified as national first-class protected cultural relics. [24]

The garden also features a plaque for the “Zhuangyuan Hall” (状元堂), inscribed by the Qing Dynasty calligrapher Liang Tongshu (梁同书). [25]

In addition, Qinghui Garden houses a ceramic work from the Qing Dynasty, called “Eight Immortals’ Magical Tools” (八仙法器图). This work consists of nine 40 cm square blue-glazed porcelain tiles and depicts the eight magical tools of the Eight Immortals, arranged in three levels according to their status. The top level includes the sword of Lü Dongbin (吕洞宾), the banana fan of Han Zhongli (汉钟离), and the lotus of He Xiangu (何仙姑); the second level features the gourd of Tieguai Li (铁拐李) and the clapper of Cao Guojiu (曹国舅); and the third level depicts the jade flute of Han Xiangzi (韩湘子), the fish drum of Zhang Guolao (张果老), and the flower basket of Lan Caihe (蓝采和). [23]

The name “Qinghui Garden” (清晖园) was inscribed on the garden gate by Li Zhaoluo (李兆洛), a calligrapher from Wujiang, Jiangsu. [26]

Preservation Measures 

On December 7, 2007, Qinghui Garden (清晖园) was approved by the National Tourism Administration as a 4A-level scenic spot. [4]

On March 5, 2013, Qinghui Garden was officially listed as a national key cultural heritage site by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. [5] [32]

Cultural Activities 

Qinghui Garden (清晖园) was originally the residence of a Zhuangyuan (状元, the top scholar in the imperial examinations) during the Ming Dynasty. The Long family, descendants of this scholar, were known for producing three imperial examination scholars from one family, and the family was considered a symbol of intellectual achievement in Guangdong during the Qing Dynasty. The garden has hosted notable leaders, including Deng Xiaoping (邓小平), Zhao Ziyang (赵紫阳), Hu Yaobang (胡耀邦), Bo Yibo (薄一波), Li Zongren (李宗仁), Guo Moruo (郭沫若), He Xiangning (何香凝), and Cai Tingkai (蔡廷锴), as well as other well-known figures from Chinese society. [24]

In 1965, Guo Moruo (郭沫若) visited Qinghui Garden (清晖园) and wrote the following poem:

“弹指经过廿五年，

人来重到凤凰园。

蔷薇馥郁红逾火，

芒果茏葱碧入天。

千顷鱼塘千顷蔗，

万家桑土万家弦。

缘何篁竹犹垂泪？

为喜乾坤已转旋。”

In English, this reads:

“After a quarter-century,

I return to Phoenix Garden.

The roses bloom brighter than fire,

Mangoes reach up to the sky.

Thousands of acres of fish ponds,

Thousands of homes with mulberry trees.

Why do the bamboo still shed tears?

Because the world has finally turned.” [16]

Tourist Information 

Address 

Qinghui Garden (清晖园) is located at No. 23 Qinghuiyuan Road, Daliang, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province.

Ticket Prices 

  • Regular Ticket: 15 CNY per person (entry with ticket or valid ID required). [27]
  • Free Admission:
    • Residents of Shunde with valid ID.
    • Residents with valid residence permits in Shunde.
    • Students enrolled in Shunde schools with a valid student ID.
    • Senior citizens aged 65 and above (including 65 years old).
    • Children under 6 years old or below 1.5 meters in height (accompanied by a guardian).
    • Military personnel, veterans, and their families, as well as journalists, tour guides, and persons with disabilities (with valid documents) can enter for free.
  • Discount Ticket: 7 CNY per person
    • For minors aged 18 and below (with valid ID) and full-time students (undergraduate or below).
    • Senior citizens aged 60-64 (with valid ID).
  • Group Ticket: 12 CNY per person
    • For groups of 20 or more from organizations or institutions, available with a group certificate.

Transportation 

To reach Qinghui Garden (清晖园), you can take the following bus routes in Shunde:

  • 301, 303, 305, 309, 311, 319, 320, 363, 905, 906, K371, Foshan 314, Foshan City Bus Chengcheng – Shunde Line, and Tourism Bus 4 to the “Qinghui Garden” (清晖园) stop.

This translation includes the requested features such as placing the Chinese names in parentheses after each place, as well as retaining the Chinese content where necessary.