Guiyuan Garden (桂园, Guiyuan) is a historic gem located in Chongqing, China. This tranquil oasis is a small, independent courtyard with its entrance facing the street. It holds significant historical and political importance due to its role during the tumultuous years of the Chinese Civil War and the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Spanning 700 square meters, Guiyuan Garden has a captivating story to tell.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Origion of its Name
- Historical Significance
- Building Layout
- Attractions near Guiyuan Garden
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 16.30 |
Location and Transportation
Guiyuan Garden is located at 65 Zhongshan Fourth Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China, in close proximity to Chongqing Qiujing Middle School. To get there, you can choose the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 3209 and get off at Zhongshan Fourth Road Intersection Stop (中山四路路口站)
Metro: The closest metro station to Guiyuan Garden is Zengjiayan (曾家岩) on line 2 and line 10. After getting out of the station from Exit 2, walk about 350 meters to the southwest to reach the attraction.
Origion of its Name
The garden’s history traces back to 1939 when it was rented by Zhang Zhizhong, who at the time served as the Director of the Adjutant Department for the Military Affairs Commission of the Nationalist Government. Upon moving in, Zhang personally planted osmanthus trees and decided to name the courtyard “Guiyuan,” after his father’s pen name, “Guizheng.”
Historical Significance
In 1945, during the critical Chongqing negotiations, Zhang Zhizhong allowed Mao Zedong to use Guiyuan Garden. Over the course of 43 days, Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai met with representatives from various political parties and members of society. On the evening of October 10, 1945, the famous “Double Tenth Agreement” was signed at Guiyuan Garden, marking an important milestone in Chinese history. The garden thus became a significant witness to the negotiations between the Nationalists and the Communists.
Guiyuan Garden remained closed to the public for several decades, but in 1977, it officially opened its doors to visitors. In 2001, it was designated as a nationally protected cultural relic.
Building Layout
The main building within Guiyuan Garden features a brick-and-wood structure. On the ground floor, there is a reception hall to the left and a dining room to the right. Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai hosted various foreign diplomats and international guests here. On the second floor, you can find the offices and resting spaces used by these leaders. The rooms are adorned with photographs capturing the activities of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai during their time in Chongqing, as well as newspaper clippings from “Xinhua Daily” and “Liberation Daily” reporting on the events of that era.
The eastern side of the ground floor features a reception room with a desk covered in a white tablecloth. On top of the desk, you can find a calligraphy brush, inkstone, and other writing tools. A prominent feature of the room is the horizontal plaque inscribed with Sun Yat-sen’s calligraphy reading “Tianxia Weigong,” which means “The World for the Public.” The eastern wall displays a quote by Chiang Kai-shek, and the southern wall exhibits a floral painting created by the renowned female artist Hong Wei. The northern wall showcases a painting titled “Night Mooring at Qinhuai,” which encapsulates the atmosphere and aesthetic sensibilities of Guiyuan Garden’s owner, Zhang Zhizhong.
