Located in Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China, Qinghui Garden was built in the last period of Ming Dynasty. Today’s Qinghui Garden has become a typical traditional South China Garden with Lingnan style of construction. The garden is one of the ten famous gardens in China and one of the four famous gardens in Guangdong Province. Other three famous in Guangdong are Liangyuan Garden in Foshan, Sanbanggulsa in Panyu District of Guangzhou and Keyuan Garden in Dongguan.
Qinghui Garden integrates Ming and Qing dynasties culture, Lingnan ancient gardening style, Zhujiang Delta Region Watertown scenery together, as the typical representative of Lingnan gardening culture. Inside the Garden, there are clear water and flourishing woods. And, water, trees, stone hills, small bridges are blended with booths and pavilions, presenting a kind of distinctive scenery. Fine courtyards are built inside the garden and scenes can be seen beyond scenes.
The famous tourist attractions in the garden include the Boat Hall, Bixi Thatched Cottage, Chengyi Pavilion, Rower Pavilion, Xiyin Studio, Zhuwan Hall, Guiji Cottage, and Bishenghua Hall. Each of them is well designed, showing a unique style. Decorative details may deserve to savor in the garden. There are a lot of ceramics, gray plastic, wood, glass as adornment. Among them, the brick carvings, wood carving and stained glass are particularly beautiful.
History of Qinghui Garden
Qinghui Garden was originally the mansion of Huang Shijun, the Number One Scholar in the highest imperial examination in the reign of Emperor Wanli of Ming Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty, this garden was bought by Long Yingshi, a famous scholar at that time. Since then, the garden finalizes its style under the elaborate construction of the Long’s families. In 1880, or the fifth year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty, Long Yanhuai, son of Long Yingshi and a member of the Imperial Academy, returned to his hometown after resigning his post, and built a garden for his mother at the site of the old residence of Huang Jun. Later the garden was renovated and extended by other Long’s descendants. During the Anti-Japanese War, the Long’s family sought refuge overseas, and then the garden become abandoned.
In 1966, in view of the historical, artistic and aesthetic values of the garden, the Shunde District People's Government renovated its look and expanded its area from over 7,000 square meters to 22,000 square meters, and it is open to tourists from the domestic places and foreign countries.
What to See in Qinghui Garden
With mild climate and rich rainfall, it had planted many rare as well as ordinary plants in this garden. Through many generations’ collection, it also gathered numerous colored glazes, woodcarvings, clay carvings, pottery and porcelain, etc. Those crafts have been an important part of Qinghui Garden that exhibit for visitors.
Travel Guide
【Chinese name】: 清晖园
• Opening Time: 8:30 am - 5:30pm
• How to get to Qinghui Garden in Foshan: You may take Bus Route No. 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 222, 263, 301, 303, 305, 309, 311, 319 320, 363, 905, 906, k37 to Qinghui Garden Station (清晖园).