Springtime in Taizhou Citywalk | The Premier Garden of Huai Left

| The Premier Garden of Huai Left. In spring, there's no need to jostle with crowds in Suzhou; Taizhou's gardens are less crowded and more beautiful. ►The Premier Garden of Huai Left Qiao Garden is acclaimed by Mr. Chen Congzhou, the master of Chinese gardens, as 'The Premier Garden of Huai Left'! It was established during the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era (1573-1620), originally named Risheng Garden, a name derived from Tao Yuanming's 'Returning Home' which includes the line 'The garden is visited daily to complete its charm.' ►Owner of Qiao Garden Over 400 years, Qiao Garden has changed hands several times, with Qiao Songnian being the most famous. In the ninth year of the Xianfeng era (1859), Qiao Songnian was appointed as the Salt Transport Commissioner for the two Huai regions. He gathered salt merchants to restore the salt industry, continuing the historical splendor from the mid-Tang period that 'Half of the world's salt tax came from the two Huai regions' and 'Half of the salt tax of the two Huai regions came from Taizhou.' ►Garden Strolling Route Shanxiang Caotang - Songchui Pavilion - Jiaoyu Xuan - Shilin Biejing ▪ The entire garden of Qiao Garden is divided into east and west parts, including Shanxiang Caotang, Songchui Pavilion, and other pavilions and towers that retain their original appearance, with courtyards connecting them in the middle, as well as Jiaoyu Xuan, Laiqing Pavilion, Shilin Biejing, and Er Fen Bamboo House. ▪ Shanxiang Caotang implies the meaning of 'high mountains and flowing water,' while Songchui Pavilion expresses the artistic conception of 'pine wind and crane shadows.' Immersed in it, every step reveals a new scene, and every corner is perfect for taking photos. ▪ The entire garden is ingeniously designed, using ancient cypresses, unique rocks, and seasonal flowers and plants to represent the changes of the four seasons, which is a distinctive feature of Qiao Garden. Hence, it was customary for ancient people to recite poetry, paint, enjoy tea, and admire flowers here. The famous Qing Dynasty poet Yuan Mei once wrote the verse 'The moon shines on the mountains with few human traces, the wind shakes the pines with loud bird sounds' in this garden. One can sit in the central courtyard and savor it slowly! ►Visiting Time: 2 hours ►Admission: Free ►Transportation: Self-driving, parking available roadside