Keyuan Museum, Dongguan: A Journey Through Time in a Lingnan Garden

- Opening hours: Weekdays 9:30 am–5:30 pm (last entry 5:00 pm); National holidays and summer/winter vacations 9:00 am–5:30 pm (last entry 5:00 pm); Closed on Tuesdays (except national holidays).

- Ticket prices: Ancient architecture area CNY 8/person. Tickets can be booked up to 6 days in advance via the "Dongguan Keyuan Museum" mini-program. Free or discounted admission is available for children aged 6 and under or under 1.2m tall, minors aged 6 to 18, and full-time undergraduate students and below.

- Transportation: Take bus routes 4, 7, 22, etc., to Keyuan Station. For those driving, Keyuan Museum has free parking lots at both the south and north gates. Navigate to "Keyuan Museum - North Gate 1" for the north parking lot and "Dongguan Calligraphers Association Exhibition Center" for the south parking lot.

Tour Route

- Garden Architecture Area: Enter through the south gate and you'll first see the "Keyuan" plaque. Turn left to reach Caocacao Hall. Continue forward, past the Bo Hong Pavilion, to admire the couplet "Eating lychees fuels poetic frenzy, water, sky, and moon, white, recalling Dongpo." Next, arrive at Ke Tang, where the garden's owner held family gatherings and ancestral ceremonies. Ascend the Yao Shan Pavilion for a panoramic view of the garden. Stroll to the Lvqi Tower to enjoy the cool breeze and music. Cross the Zhanming Bridge, where koi swim below—a perfect spot for making wishes and taking photos. Finally, reach the Ke Pavilion in the center of the lake to soak in the picturesque scenery.

- Museum Exhibition Area: Move to the "Lingnan Traditional Gardens and Residences" exhibition area to appreciate over 200 architectural components with distinct Lingnan characteristics. The "Mo Bozhi and Lingnan Architectural Art" exhibition area showcases the life and works of Mo Bozhi, a master of the Lingnan architectural school. On the second floor, the "Ju Chao, Ju Lian, and Keyuan" exhibition area explores the historical connection between the Lingnan School of Painting and Keyuan.

Photography Guide

- Garden Scenery: Keyuan's pavilions, rockeries, flowers, and trees provide stunning backdrops for photos. Capture the classical ambiance by taking pictures along the garden paths, beside the rockeries, or by the lotus pond, making use of light and shadow and the lush greenery.

- Distinctive Architecture: Ke Tower is an iconic structure; photographing it from different angles showcases its unique architectural style. The oyster shell windows and Manchu windows are also excellent photographic subjects, offering unique lighting effects.

Other Tips

- Keyuan offers 5 free guided tours daily at 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. Meet under the "Keyuan" plaque at the south gate.

- Collect stamps at the Keyuan Post Office or the service desk on the first floor of the Keyuan Museum exhibition area. The post office also sells postcards and other unique cultural and creative products.

- Mosquitoes are prevalent in the garden, so bring mosquito repellent.