One of the 'Eight Beauties of Qinhuai', Dong Xiaowan, once lived here

Shuihui Garden, located in the northeast corner of Rucheng Town, Rugao City, Jiangsu Province, was originally built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. It was initially the industry of a local man named Mao Yiguan, and it reached perfection during the time of Mao Bijing, four generations later. Mao Bijing renovated the old garden, imbued it with thought, and carefully embellished it. The existing Shuihui Garden architectural complex faces south with a rectangular plan, divided into left, middle, and right axes. The right axis consists of the Hidden Jade Studio, which forms a courtyard with the Guanhui Hall, the Listening Pine Studio, and the Peony Pavilion. The middle axis is the Rain Fragrance Hermitage, which includes a front hall, an open hall, the Boxwood Hall, and the Flowing Light Hall, built during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, preserving some structures from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The left axis is the Shuiming Tower, built on the former site of the Hanbi Tower, where Mao and Dong once lived. Shuihui Garden is exquisitely constructed, with towers leading into the garden, and courtyards arranged in a way that encloses without isolating. It creates a broad imagery within a limited space. The construction skills of Shuihui Garden and the creation of its environment integrate the architectural techniques of Huizhou with the architectural art of Yangzhou.

Post by marcellathornfield85 | Apr 16, 2024