Kaiping (Hoiping), guangdong | 开平广东
Day 12 | 第十二天
From Baihe Town, we visited Li Yuan Garden | 立园, which is part of the cluster of dialous registered as a UNESCO site in Kaiping.
Li Yuan | 立园 was built in the early 20th century by Mr. Wei Li Xie | 谢维立 , a wealthy overseas Chinese based in the US. The garden was inspired by the Daguan Garden | 大观园 as described in Dream in Red Chamber | 红楼梦, considered to be one of the great classical novels in China.
Construction began in 1926 and lasted nearly ten years. It consists of three parts—grand garden, small garden, and villa clusters made of buildings that served as residences and watchtowers connected with a series of bridges, pavilions, and pathways. All buildings within the garden were constructed for members of the extended Xie clan.
The interplay of western and eastern influences is displayed throughout the garden. Traditional Chinese elements such as exterior yellow walls and green tiles, overhanging eaves on the roofs, and vivid carving and plaster decorations can be found combined with French-inspired windows and Roman-styled columns. Many of the interior amenities were brought from Europe—Italian terrazzo floors and western tableware and furniture—showcasing the blended stylistic choices of the Xie family.
Li Yuan Garden is a key example of the transcultural influence of overseas Chinese reflected in the built environment. ■
For more information about Kaiping architectural styles:
Guangdong Kaiping Diaolou Tourism Development Company on Architectural Styles
Dried tangerine skins are a common snack in the Pearl River Delta region of Southern China. This vendor was selling the fruit of the tangerines, and keeping the skin.