The Charm of Nature - Skillfully borrowing the naturally formed landscape painting
Although Jichang Garden was created by humans, it pursues the realm of "as if created by nature" in every aspect. Its core charm lies in the ultimate refinement and ingenious application of natural elements.
The Dynamic Spring: The Celestial Melody of the Eight Sounds Stream
If Jichang Garden is said to have a soul, it must be Bayin Gorge. This is not an exaggeration but a real auditory wonder. The garden designer utilized the underground flow of Huishan, known as the "Second Best Spring in the World", to guide it through a narrow rain-shaped path built with yellow stones. The water plunges and weaves through the meandering rock walls, colliding with the rocks and generating clear sounds of various textures such as gold, stone, silk and bamboo, as if it were a symphony composed by nature. Walking through it, the vision is limited by the depth of the stone path, but the hearing is infinitely magnified. The sound of water changes with each step, which can be regarded as the peak work of using soundscapes in Chinese classical gardens.
Huijing Zhiyi: The reflection frame of Jinhuiyi
The core of the water feature in the garden is Jin Hui Yi, a pool of clear water like a horizontally lying magic gourd, encapsulating the essence of the entire garden. Its charm lies in the "convergence" : it combines the real clouds in the sky, the shadow of the Dragon Light Pagoda on Xishan Mountain, the posture of ancient trees by the pond, and the reflections of pavilions, terraces, corridors and terraces. Standing at the Zhiyu Threshold or the Hanbi Pavilion and looking out, what comes into view is not a stagnant pool but a three-dimensional landscape painting that is constantly flowing and changing. The design also embodies ecological wisdom. Through the cycle of "open injection and covert drainage", the pool water does not overflow during the rainy season and does not dry up during the dry season, nourishing all living things in the garden.
The extended vein: The seamless integration of artificial hills and real mountains
Jichang Garden is located west of Huishan Mountain. When the garden was built, no attempt was made to separate it; instead, the remaining branches of Huishan Mountain were "borrowed" into the garden. The rockery built on the west side of the garden, with its direction, texture and vegetation, is in line with the true mountain Huishan behind it, as if it were a natural extension of the true mountain into the garden. Meanwhile, on the east side, it ingeniously leads the line of sight to the Xishan Mountain and Longguang Pagoda outside the garden. This technique of "one garden ingeniously borrowing two mountains, and the two mountains reflecting one garden" breaks the physical boundaries of the garden and creates an infinitely profound artistic conception within a small space.
The structure of humanity: An architectural poem that carries history
Every building in the garden is not an isolated scenic spot, but a node of narrative and lyricism.
- Nine Lions Terrace: The first shock that catches the eye upon entering the park. The rockery made of Taihu stones is shaped like a group of lions crouching and playing, with a grand and imposing appearance and exquisite details. Its inspiration comes from the "Nine Lions" painting by the Yuan Dynasty painter Ni Zan. Upon closer inspection, the lion shapes are ever-changing and far more than nine, which is in line with the philosophy that "nine is the ultimate number, endless" [citation].
- Zhi Yu Jian: A square pavilion protruding from the water surface of Jin Hui Yi, named after the allusion in "Autumn Waters" of Zhuangzi: "You are not a fish, how can you know the joy of a fish?" Leaning against the "Beauty's Bench" railing and watching the fish in the pond leisurely is the best spot to experience the owner's affection for nature and the philosophy of life.
The Seven-Star Bridge and the Hanbi Pavilion: The Seven-star Bridge is a seven-stone slab bridge laid flat on the water surface. Its charm lies in its "low and flat" nature, almost touching the water, and walking on it feels like taking a gentle step on the water. The Hanbi Pavilion on the east side of the bridge stands majestically by the water, together with the ancient camphor trees and the shadow of the pagoda, forming a classic scene of Jiangnan.
- Bingli Hall and Woyun Hall: Bingli Hall is a garden within a garden, elegant and exquisite. It was once an important part of the family ancestral hall garden. The Woyun Hall was the place where Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong rested. In front of the hall, three 400-year-old camphor trees stand in a "pin" shape, symbolizing the Qin family's supreme pursuit of virtue and also witnessing the legendary intersection of emperors and gardens.
Photography Tips:
The best spot for borrowing a view is at the high point on the west side of the garden. You can use a telephoto lens to compress the Longguang Tower and the foreground within the garden (such as treetops and eaves) into the same frame.
The south bank of Jinhuiyi is a classic Angle for capturing the Seven-star Bridge, Hanbi Pavilion and their complete reflections. The best time for light and shadow is in the early morning or at sunset.
The light inside the Eight Sounds Stream is dim, making it suitable for shooting slow-flowing water and creating a silky texture. It is important to ensure the stability of your tripod.
Using the window frames and door openings of the Zhiyu threshold as the picture frames, the composition and shooting of the pool scene are highly classical and charming.
