Xu Garden
Encyclopedia
Xu Garden also called '"Xi Hua Yuan"' (西花园), or literally, "West Flower Garden", is a famed classical garden in South China. Together with "Zhan Yuan" (瞻园), they are called two prominent gardens in Jinling (alternate name for Nanjing
). It is located on 292 Changjiang Rd., Nanjing
, Jiangsu Province, west side of Heavenly King Palace Relic of Taiping Kingdom. It's incorporated into the President House.
received the disciples of his opponent, Chen Youliang
(陈友谅). He built a "Han King Palace" for Chen Youliang's son, Chen Li. Later, Ming
Chengzu
made his second son, Zhu Gaoxu(朱高煦), Han King, and awarded him the eastern part of old Han King Palace as the New Han King Palace. This garden was the western garden of the new palace, and was named "Xu Yuan" after its owner's name, "Zhu Gaoxu".
Qing Dynasty
established government building for governor general of Two-Jiang (in charge of Jiangsu, Anhui and Jiangxi) here. Its east side lied Jiangning Zhizhao government (in charge of clothes and silk production). Xu Yuan became the garden of house for governor general. From Kangxi 23rd-41st year(1684-1702), the emperor Kangxi visited South China six times. He stopped by Jiangning Zhizhao government for five times. During Taiping era, the garden was expanded when building Heavenly King Palace, and it became the imperial garden of the palace. Because the garden was located on western side of the palace, it was named "West Flower Garden", distinguishing from "East Flower Garden". At the time when the city was conquered by army of Qing Dynasty
, the garden was ruined by the war. During Qing Daoguang's years (1821-1851), Zeng Guofan
rebuilt it.
On 1 January 1912, Sun Yat-sen
was inaugurated as the "Temporary Grand President" in the Warm Pavilion of Xu Yuan, thus claiming the establishment of the temporary government of the Republic of China
. Sun's temporary president's office as well as his home was located inside Xu Yuan. From then on, Nanjing acting government, Jiangsu government, and military commander all used to set up offices there. After the government of the Republic of China
was founded in April 1927, the headquarter of National People's Revolution Army, Military Commission, and Military Bureau of President House all used to establish offices there. Therefore, Xu Yuan was regarded as "Resort of Four Dynasties".
Xu Yuan has an artificial hillock, called "South Rockery", made of rocks resembling 12 Chinese zodiac animals. Among the hillock there is a Hexagonal Pavilion. From afar it looks like an overlapping of two pavilions, but a closer look sees an integrated body. It was called "Mandarin Duck Pavilion", because those duck always appear in pairs.
"Tong Yin Guan" (桐音馆), or "Paulownia Melody House" is the largest building in the garden, built by paulownia timber. It was used as Zeng Guofan
's reception hall. Several huge Chinese parasol trees are planted around the house. When rains fall on the trees, the mellifluous sounds resonated. Behind the house lies "North Rockery". There're caves inside the hillocks and they're interconnected, like a maze. Beside it is a stone tablet, on which Emperor Daoguang's handwriting "Heart Stamping Stony House" (印心石室) is engraved.
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
). It is located on 292 Changjiang Rd., Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
, Jiangsu Province, west side of Heavenly King Palace Relic of Taiping Kingdom. It's incorporated into the President House.
History
In Hongwu 1st year (1368), Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋) of Ming DynastyMing Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
received the disciples of his opponent, Chen Youliang
Chen Youliang
Chen Youliang was the founder of the insurgent state of Dahan in the late Yuan Dynasty period of Chinese history.-Biography:...
(陈友谅). He built a "Han King Palace" for Chen Youliang's son, Chen Li. Later, Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
Chengzu
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
made his second son, Zhu Gaoxu(朱高煦), Han King, and awarded him the eastern part of old Han King Palace as the New Han King Palace. This garden was the western garden of the new palace, and was named "Xu Yuan" after its owner's name, "Zhu Gaoxu".
Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
established government building for governor general of Two-Jiang (in charge of Jiangsu, Anhui and Jiangxi) here. Its east side lied Jiangning Zhizhao government (in charge of clothes and silk production). Xu Yuan became the garden of house for governor general. From Kangxi 23rd-41st year(1684-1702), the emperor Kangxi visited South China six times. He stopped by Jiangning Zhizhao government for five times. During Taiping era, the garden was expanded when building Heavenly King Palace, and it became the imperial garden of the palace. Because the garden was located on western side of the palace, it was named "West Flower Garden", distinguishing from "East Flower Garden". At the time when the city was conquered by army of Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, the garden was ruined by the war. During Qing Daoguang's years (1821-1851), Zeng Guofan
Zeng Guofan
Zeng Guofan was an eminent Han Chinese official, military general, and devout Confucian scholar of the late Qing Dynasty in China....
rebuilt it.
On 1 January 1912, Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the "Father of the Nation" , a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China...
was inaugurated as the "Temporary Grand President" in the Warm Pavilion of Xu Yuan, thus claiming the establishment of the temporary government of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
. Sun's temporary president's office as well as his home was located inside Xu Yuan. From then on, Nanjing acting government, Jiangsu government, and military commander all used to set up offices there. After the government of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
was founded in April 1927, the headquarter of National People's Revolution Army, Military Commission, and Military Bureau of President House all used to establish offices there. Therefore, Xu Yuan was regarded as "Resort of Four Dynasties".
Scenic Spots
Inside Xu Yuan, there is a 14.5-meter-long timber-mimic stony boat, built by gray stones. Now it is the symbol of the garden. Emperor Qianlong used to write "Bu Ji Zhou" (不系舟), or "unmoored boat" for it.Xu Yuan has an artificial hillock, called "South Rockery", made of rocks resembling 12 Chinese zodiac animals. Among the hillock there is a Hexagonal Pavilion. From afar it looks like an overlapping of two pavilions, but a closer look sees an integrated body. It was called "Mandarin Duck Pavilion", because those duck always appear in pairs.
"Tong Yin Guan" (桐音馆), or "Paulownia Melody House" is the largest building in the garden, built by paulownia timber. It was used as Zeng Guofan
Zeng Guofan
Zeng Guofan was an eminent Han Chinese official, military general, and devout Confucian scholar of the late Qing Dynasty in China....
's reception hall. Several huge Chinese parasol trees are planted around the house. When rains fall on the trees, the mellifluous sounds resonated. Behind the house lies "North Rockery". There're caves inside the hillocks and they're interconnected, like a maze. Beside it is a stone tablet, on which Emperor Daoguang's handwriting "Heart Stamping Stony House" (印心石室) is engraved.