Zhongshan Zhan Garden: A Hidden Gem of Filial Piety and Poetic Beauty in Lingnan

Introduction: Suzhou-Hangzhou Elegance in Lingnan Water Town

Driving south along National Highway 105 in Zhongshan, a cluster of gray-brick and black-tiled buildings suddenly emerges from the modern skyline—eaves curl like flying swallows reflecting on the Beixi River, and winding corridors twist around the shadows of Huzhou Mountain. This is Zhongshan Zhan Garden, hailed as “the largest private garden in Lingnan.” Unlike the grandeur of imperial gardens or the humid crudeness of pure Lingnan gardens, this serene residence, built by Macanese owner Huang Yuanxin for his parents, blends the exquisite grace of Suzhou-Hangzhou gardens with the lively transparency of Lingnan water towns. Centered on “filial piety” (a core value in Chinese culture emphasizing respect for elders), every ancient brick and wisp of tea fragrance is infused with the warmth of family love. Today, Zhan Garden has transcended its identity as a private mansion to become an integrated cultural and tourism complex combining travel, culture, and education, yet it still retains the quiet essence of a “retreat for peaceful old age.”

I. The Soul of the Garden: Rooted in Filial Piety, Built with Love

1. A Century of Filial Devotion Takes Shape

In 1998, Macanese businessman Huang Yuanxin, eager to let his elderly parents enjoy their twilight years in comfort, personally designed this private garden. He recruited hundreds of skilled craftsmen from Suzhou and Hangzhou, who spent 5 years constructing it at great cost. To honor his “strict father and kind mother,” he named the garden after his mother’s surname “Zhan” and the core corridor bridge after his father’s given name “Shanyuan” (meaning “source of goodness”). He also dedicated a “Filial Piety Hall,” whose interior walls are painted with the “Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars”—a classic collection of stories illustrating filial devotion—etching this value into the garden’s very soul. Wandering through the garden today, visitors can still see the original courtyard where Madame Zhan once lived, with carved wooden beds and vintage tea sets on display, as if echoing with the laughter of a happy family.

2. The Art of Garden Design: Harmony Between Heaven and Man

Covering 100 mu (approximately 6.67 hectares), Zhan Garden is laid out around the core of “one mountain, one river, one courtyard.” It cleverly uses Huzhou Mountain as a backdrop and diverts water from the Beixi River into the garden, forming a natural pattern of “mountains as screens, rivers as veins.” Architecturally, it adopts the delicacy of Suzhou-Hangzhou gardens while integrating the ventilation of Lingnan water towns: gray-brick mansions stretch along the water’s edge, with bamboo lanterns hanging under dougong brackets (traditional Chinese wooden structural elements); corridors feature Lingnan-style “horizontal wooden bar doors” (tanglong men), which are both windproof, moisture-resistant, and private. Most of the bricks and tiles in the garden are repurposed from ancient folk materials, polished by craftsmen to regain their luster—every tile and stone carving holds a story of time.

II. The Scenery of the Garden: Three Zones, Endless Poetry

Zhan Garden is divided into three main areas: “Zhan Garden Birthday Celebration,” “Qijiang Corridor Bridge,” and “Zhan Mansion Blessing Cultivation,” connecting dozens of core attractions. It is recommended to visit in the order of “culture → nature → leisure” to fully immerse yourself in the garden’s charm.

🌿 Must-Visit Core Attractions

1. Filial Piety Hall & Shanyuan Bridge

Filial Piety Hall: The spiritual core of the garden. In addition to the “Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars” murals, it displays ancient filial piety cultural relics and calligraphy works by famous artists. Every weekend, “Filial Piety Lectures” are held here, inviting scholars to interpret traditional filial culture—perfect for visiting with elders.
Shanyuan Bridge: The largest covered bridge in Lingnan, 68 meters long. Red lanterns hang under the wooden eaves, and the bridge deck is paved with blue stone slabs. Standing on the bridge, you can overlook the scenery of the Beixi River, where boatmen drift slowly in bamboo rafts with cormorants perched on the bow, presenting a classic water town painting.

2. Zhan Garden Birthday Celebration Area: Folk Customs & Family Affection

This is the most lively area of the garden, recreating the birthday celebration scene of an ancient wealthy family:

The ancient opera stage hosts daily performances such as Sichuan Opera face-changing and kung fu tea art, with gongs, drums, and applause filling the air;
The Maid Embroidery Workshop showcases traditional embroidery techniques, where visitors can experience embroidering the character “shou” (longevity);
Beixi Water Village is built along the riverbank, with bamboo houses topped with bark and curling smoke. It specializes in farm-style dishes such as braised goose and traditional braised lamb, with a 600-seat dining hall that requires advance booking.

3. Qijiang Corridor Bridge Area: Water Charm & Leisure

Xiangyi Pavilion (Mutual Dependence Pavilion): A unique double-connected pavilion symbolizing marital harmony. The Ming Dynasty horse-tethering post in front of the pavilion is carved with “monkeys riding on monkeys” (implying “generations of nobility”), polished smooth by countless visitors. It is a popular spot for wedding photos, with particularly romantic silhouettes at sunset.
Boat Tour Experience: Take a painted boat to tour the Qijiang River, enjoying folk performances such as women washing clothes by the river and fishermen singing duets; or rent a small boat to cruise the inner river, experiencing the poetic scene of “boats gliding on water, people walking in paintings” (additional fee: approximately 30 yuan per person).

4. Zhan Mansion Blessing Cultivation Area: Tranquility & Wild Fun

Crape Myrtle Island: The highest point in the garden, home to a 500-year-old crape myrtle tree—known as the “treasure of the garden.” In spring, it bursts into full bloom; in autumn, its leaves turn fiery red. Climbing the island offers a panoramic view of the entire garden.
Bonsai Garden & Peacock Garden: The Bonsai Garden displays hundreds of Lingnan-style bonsai trees, with rugged and ancient shapes; the Peacock Garden is home to dozens of free-roaming peacocks—visitors may be lucky enough to see them spreading their tails, making it ideal for interacting with children.
Dragon Sculpture: The largest granite dragon sculpture in China, 68 meters high and 232 meters long. The dragon’s head is exquisitely carved, showcasing the craftsmen’s meticulous artistry.

III. The Charm of the Garden: Empowered by Culture, Beyond Tourism

Today, Zhan Garden is more than just a garden—it is a vibrant cultural and tourism complex, especially suitable for culture enthusiasts and family travelers:

1. Study Tours & Intangible Cultural Heritage Experiences

Traditional Chinese Culture Courses: As a Guangdong Provincial Study Tour Demonstration Base, Zhan Garden offers courses such as ancient architecture exploration, paleontological fossil discovery, and oil-paper umbrella painting. Children can hand-make tile-seal stamps and color-overlay stamps to experience the charm of traditional culture;
First Writing Ceremony: Caters to kindergarten and primary school groups, recreating ancient initiation rituals with Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing), cinnabar dotting on the forehead, and calligraphy practice. Advance booking 3 days in advance is required;
Cultural and Creative Products: Must-buy souvenirs include crape myrtle tree-themed fridge magnets, “lamb kneeling to nurse” filial piety fridge magnets (symbolizing gratitude to parents), and architectural color-overlay stamps—combining garden elements with cultural meanings.

2. Ritual Music & Performances

“Love for Shenzhen-Zhongshan · Zhongshan Grand Mansion Theater” hosts 4 free performances daily, including classical dance, Sichuan Opera face-changing, and magic, each lasting 30 minutes (additional shows on holidays; check the garden’s announcement for specific times);
Tea houses offer kung fu tea experiences, where visitors can taste Zhan Garden’s specialty “Filial Piety Cakes”—made from mulberries and corn, low in sugar and soft in texture, packaged with the pattern “Filial Piety Moves Heaven,” perfect for gifting to parents.

IV. Practical Travel Guide: Stress-Free Trip Essentials

📍 Basic Information

Address: Beside National Highway 105, Beitai Village, Nanqu District, Zhongshan City (navigate to “Zhongshan Zhan Garden” for direct access);
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM);
Ticket Price: Adult 60 yuan/person (59 yuan for online booking); Free for children under 1.1 meters and seniors over 65 years old (with ID card); Half-price for children 1.1-1.4 meters and students (with student ID);
Inquiry Phone: 0760-23336288.

🚗 Transportation

Self-Driving: 1 hour from Shenzhen, 2 hours from Guangzhou. Free parking for the first 2 hours at the garden’s main entrance; 5 yuan per hour thereafter, with a daily maximum of 30 yuan;
Public Transportation: Take buses 206, 211, 5, 11, 15, 22, or A1 to “Zhan Garden Station,” then walk 5 minutes to the entrance.

🗺️ Recommended Itineraries

Essential Route (2-3 hours):

Main Entrance → Filial Piety Hall (learn about filial culture) → Shanyuan Bridge (admire river views) → Zhan Garden Birthday Celebration Area (watch performances, visit embroidery workshop) → Xiangyi Pavilion (photo spot) → Crape Myrtle Island (panoramic view) → Bonsai Garden → Cultural and Creative Store (buy souvenirs);

In-Depth Route (4-5 hours):

Essential Route + Boat Tour → Beixi Water Village (lunch) → Oil-Paper Umbrella Painting Experience → Peacock Garden → Back Mountain Trail (hike and enjoy natural scenery).

🍽️ Dining & Accommodation

On-Site Dining: Beixi Water Village (farm-style dishes), Huxian Fang (steamed osmanthus fish, steamed chicken), Zhuangyuan Building Seafood Restaurant (high-end seafood);
Nearby Dining: Several Zhongshan specialty restaurants within 1 kilometer of the garden. Recommended dishes: Shiqi Pigeon (roasted pigeon, a local delicacy) and Chrysanthemum Cake;
Accommodation Options: On-site: Zhan Garden Hotel, Bamboo Villa; Budget: 7 Days Inn, Hanting Hotel (Nanqu Branch); Luxury: Crowne Plaza Zhongshan (20-minute drive).

⚠️ Notes

The garden has many stone slab paths and steps—wear comfortable, non-slip shoes. In summer, bring sun protection and mosquito repellent;
Climbing or touching wooden buildings is prohibited. Keep an eye on children near water areas;
Some areas (boat tours, intangible cultural heritage experiences) require additional fees—confirm prices in advance;
Hanfu rental is available for 50 yuan/set, perfect for photos. Rental location: left side of the main entrance;
The garden is crowded on holidays—arrive before 10 AM to avoid crowds.

Conclusion: One Garden, One World; One Filial Piety, One Lifetime Bond

The beauty of Zhan Garden lies not only in its gray-brick and black-tiled scenery but also in its original intention of “building a garden for filial piety” and the warmth of cultural inheritance. Here, you can listen to the rain under the corridor bridge, feeling the grace of Jiangnan gardens; sip tea at the opera stage, experiencing the vitality of Lingnan folk customs; take your children on a study tour, touching the texture of traditional culture; or walk with your parents, revisiting the warmth of family.

If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city and yearn for a slow cultural journey, Zhongshan Zhan Garden is the answer—it hides the Chinese longing for “home,” the persistence in “filial piety,” and the perfect integration of garden art and humanistic spirit.