The Beauty of Gardens·Xixi Wetland Gaozhuang Series (I)

The Beauty of Gardens·Xixi Wetland Gaozhuang Series (I)|||Overview and Main Buildings Gaozhuang, also known as Xixi Manor, was built between the 14th year of Shunzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1657) and the 3rd year of Kangxi (1664). The owner of the manor was Gao Shiqi (1645-1704), an official during the Kangxi period. Gao Shiqi, also known as Danren, Jiangcun, Pinglu, and Zhuchuang, was from Qiantang (now Hangzhou). He served as the Vice Minister of Rites. In the 28th year of Kangxi (1689), when Kangxi made a southern tour, he visited Gaozhuang and bestowed the name 'Zhuchuang'. The current Gaozhuang is centered around the 'Zhuchuang' building, revealing the aspiration to climb to the 'saintly' level. P3·Enter from the small gate on the main road of the park, pass through the bamboo path and see the first building - 'Chenlanting', where the stele 'Gaozhuang Chenji' is located. P4·Cross a small stone bridge to the left of Chenlanting, and you will reach the main entrance of the residence, which has a simple and elegant style of a literati's home. P5·In the center of the front hall stands the 'Kangxi's Visit to Gaozhuang' (painted by contemporary artists). Compared with this painting, the rebuilt 'Gaozhuang' is completely unrecognizable. Except for a few buildings that have retained their old names, the entire layout and architectural style no longer resemble the old view. It has been adapted to the local conditions and times. Gaozhuang was rebuilt in 2006 (during the second phase of the Xixi Wetland Comprehensive Protection Project) and currently covers more than 10 acres. The main buildings include Yinxiu Residence (front hall), Xizhuang (main hall), Yizhi Building (main house), Zhuchuang Building, Zhuxi Caotang, Nianhua Book House, Linliu Caotang, Tongyin Hall, Fangxian Pavilion, Yunxin Pavilion, Jiaoyuan Poetry Society, etc. P6·The main house is a three-entry three-hall courtyard layout, with each layer deepening and heightening. The third entry 'Yizhi' building is connected to the 'Zhuchuang' on the west side by a suspended corridor. 'Zhuchuang' is the core building of the garden landscape. The second floor has symmetrical terraces extending out, overlooking the entire garden. Directly below is the inner lake. To the east of the lake shore are Zhuxi Caotang, Nianhua Book House, Fafu, Xiaoyue, Tongyin Hall, and to the west are Jiaoyuan Poetry Society, Ouxiang Pavilion. Directly opposite is the pavilion bridge - Guiji Pavilion, which divides the pond into two. Beyond the pavilion bridge is the lotus pond and wetland... P7·One wing of 'Zhuchuang'. P8·'Zhuchuang' facing 'Guiji Pavilion'. P9·View of 'Zhuchuang' from the inner lake pavilion. P10·Yunxin Pavilion, from this angle, the connection between the pavilion and the corridor feels disjointed. P11·The first small courtyard. P12. The view of the back garden, with Guiji Pavilion and Yunxin Pavilion as the buildings. P13.The view of the outer lake in the west of Gaozhuang, the building in the forest is Jiaoyuan Poetry Society. P14.The bridge connecting to Futai, but the gate at the bridgehead is closed, and you still have to go to the main gate of Gaozhuang. P15.On the side of the garden road outside Gaozhuang, in early spring, the morning sun blooms the wooden hydrangea. P16.The 'small town' outside Gaozhuang, leading to the direction of Futai.