To be honest, I knew nothing about Zhouyuan before. Just hearing the name, I thought it was some rich guy’s private garden. But the moment I stepped in, I was stunned: what kind of garden is this?

It’s clearly a “mysterious complex” mixing a museum, ancient buildings, Buddha statue caves, root carving gallery, and even a bit of a creepy atmosphere.

What impressed me the most was the root carving gallery—pushing open that thick, heavy wooden door, a smell of aged wood mixed with dust hit me, instantly making me feel like I had traveled to another time and space. Inside, thousands of Buddha statues stood quietly, hundreds of ancient beds were neatly arranged, and all kinds of bizarre sculptures and treasures were piled up to the brim, almost overflowing. That kind of intricate, almost exaggerated aesthetic really left me speechless for a moment.

Not to mention the legendary “human-faced drum” supposedly made from the skin of an 18-year-old girl (though its authenticity is questionable). Just reading the description gave me goosebumps. But creepy as it is, you can’t help but want to take another look—this “scared but curious” feeling is quite addictive.

The key is, the ticket isn’t cheap, so there are very few visitors. I spent the whole afternoon there and only met four or five people in total. It was so quiet you could hear your own footsteps. This actually became its biggest advantage: no crowds, no noise, just you and these silent ancient artifacts. A friend once said something very true: “Paying for peace and quiet is sometimes really worth it.”

But honestly, I suggest: if you’re not driving or don’t have business nearby, don’t make a special trip. Zhouyuan is super far from downtown Nanjing, public transportation is basically nonexistent, and taxis aren’t very convenient either. But if you happen to pass by or are interested in this kind of niche, mysterious, slightly bizarre place, it’s definitely worth spending an afternoon to be “shocked” in an immersive way.

There are very few online guides about Zhouyuan now, probably because it’s so “hard to describe”—some people find it messy, others love it to death. I’m in the latter group. This kind of “complex beauty” isn’t mainstream, but it’s strangely captivating.

Post by Globe-Trotting Grub | Nov 5, 2025