Guyi Garden 古猗园

About Guyi Garden

Its layout uses bamboo, ponds, pavilions and winding bridges to create a succession of enclosed scenes.

The Goose Pond and stone boat provide a useful central route, with the Plum Hall adding another architectural focus. The garden has passed through private and communal use, so the present grounds reflect several phases of rebuilding. Look at how water and buildings frame one another as you move between these features.

The garden, originally called Yi Garden (猗园), was built during the Jiajing era (1522-1566) of the Ming dynasty by the Henan official Min Shiji (闵士藉) and designed by the bamboo-carving master Zhu Sansong (朱三松); its name came from a Book of Songs phrase describing lush bamboo. After passing through several private owners, it was purchased and rebuilt between 1746 and 1748 by Ye Jin (叶锦) of Dongtingshan, who renamed it Guyi Garden to mark the change of dynasty. In 1789 local residents bought the garden to serve as the spirit garden of the prefecture's City God Temple.

Yiye Hall (逸野堂), in the garden's northwest and dating to the Ming dynasty, was occupied by Japanese forces for over two months during the January 28 Incident (一二八事变) and was badly damaged; it was not rebuilt until 1979. Quejiao Pavilion (缺角亭), built in 1933 atop Zhuzhi Hill within the garden, commemorates the loss of northeastern Chinese territory following the September 18th Incident (九一八事变). After 1949 the garden underwent repeated expansion, and in 2014 it was listed as a Shanghai Cultural Relic Protection Unit (上海市文物保护单位).

What to look for

• Goose Pond and the stone boat provide a central waterside composition.
• Bamboo planting and Plum Hall create a different garden scene.

Location & getting there

Getting to Guyi Garden

Approach 218 Huyi Highway in Nanxiang, southwest of Nanxiang station.