He Garden — China Travel

No. 188, Heyuan Road, Guangling District, Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China

Built over thirteen years starting in 1883 during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor, He Garden was commissioned by Dao Prefecture magistrate He Zhidao, who named it after a line from the poet Tao Yuanming about leaning by the window in carefree contemplation. The He family produced two Hanlin scholars and numerous academicians, embodying the late-Qing fusion of wealthy salt merchants and scholarly officialdom. This was the era of the self-strengthening movement, when China was beginning to engage with Western ideas much as Renaissance patrons once blended classical and emerging styles in Europe. The garden boasts the highest building density of any Jiangnan landscape, with its staggering 1,500-meter two-tiered corridor that elegantly separates pedestrian flow above and below while framing ever-changing vistas at every turn. This innovative design has earned it the nickname "China's First Corridor" and is often compared to early European multi-level walkways. The Yuxiu Building is the garden's architectural marvel, where French-style shutters, fireplaces, and wrought-iron balconies harmonize seamlessly with traditional Chinese construction, mirroring the cross-cultural exchanges of fin-de-siècle Shanghai treaty ports. What truly distinguishes He Garden is its status as a living artifact of late-Qing cultural exchange, marrying the poetic soul of Jiangnan gardening with European architectural flourishes. The compound features dozens of decorative latticed windows that compose living picture frames, an acoustically brilliant Water-Heart Pavilion, and a Boat Hall paved with wave-pattern bricks symbolizing freedom from worldly ties. The Pebble Mountain House preserves the sole surviving rockery designed by the legendary monk-artist Shitao, making it the garden's priceless treasure and a pilgrimage site for connoisseurs. He Garden is located at 66 Xuningmen Street, Guangling District, and holds an AAAA national rating. Opening hours run from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with tickets priced at 45 yuan in peak season (March through December) and 30 yuan off-season. Students, seniors, and children under 1.4 meters enjoy discounted or free entry. Plan 1.5 to 2.5 hours for your visit, and strongly consider hiring a guide to catch hidden wonders like the famous "moon reflection in water" optical illusion. Enter through the East Gate and follow a suggested route through the Peony Hall, Boat Hall, double-tiered corridor, Water-Heart Pavilion, Yuxiu Building, and Pebble Mountain House, exiting via the South Gate without retracing your steps. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather, while sunny afternoons transform the latticed windows into natural spotlights perfect for photography. Wear comfortable flat shoes as the grounds are extensive, and note that on-site dining options are limited. The garden sits just 1.5 kilometers from Geyuan Garden, making it easy to pair both sites in a single day for a comprehensive Yangzhou garden experience that rivals the famous Suzhou classics and even echoes the intimate charm of Versailles' lesser-known groves.