Zhan Garden
Garden of the Ming mansion of Xu Da, Prince Zhongshan; repeatedly renovated through the Ming and Qing dynasties, with Emperor Qianlong inscribing 'Zhanwang Yutang' during his southern tour; long known as 'the foremost garden of Jinling' and Nanjing's oldest surviving classical garden
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- 08:00-17:30
- Ticket
- CNY 30 (includes the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom History Museum)
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
The garden of the mansion of Xu Da, Prince Zhongshan of the Ming, repeatedly renovated through the Ming and Qing dynasties; Emperor Qianlong inscribed 'Zhanwang Yutang' (Gazing Toward the Jade Hall) during his southern tour, and long hailed as 'the foremost garden of Jinling', it is the oldest surviving classical garden in Nanjing. The garden excels in water and rock: the southern rockery and pond interlock like a natural cliff gorge, and winding corridors and waterside pavilions lead through secluded paths; Ouyang Xiu's 'Zhanwang Yutang' plaque hangs before the hall. Both the 1987 TV series Dream of the Red Chamber and New Legend of the White Snake were filmed here. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom History Museum sits inside the garden, so one ticket yields both the story of Tianjing and the quiet pleasure of the garden; the evening live-action show 'Jinling Dream · Night at Zhan Garden' (garden edition) adds an extra touch of antiquity.
Getting there: West of Fuzimiao
Photos
More in Nanjing
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
392 marble steps up Purple Mountain to the father of modern China.
- Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
Sacred Way stone animals guarding the tomb of the Ming founder.
- Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao)
Qinhuai River lantern district; night cruise past painted boats.
- Zhonghua Gate
The world's largest castle-style city gate, 27 soldier hideouts inside.
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
The mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, begun in 1926 with his remains interred in 1929. The "Liberty Bell" ground plan by young architect Lü Yanzhi won a global design competition, a milestone of modern Chinese architectural history.
- Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
The joint tomb of Ming founder Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma, begun in 1381. It pioneered the "court in front, resting quarters behind" mausoleum layout, the wellspring of the Ming-Qing imperial tomb system; in 2003 it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the extension of the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.