Qinghui Garden (清晖园) is a historic Lingnan-style garden located in Guangdong, China, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Covering an area of 22,000 square meters, it is recognized as one of the Four Great Gardens of Lingnan, alongside Liang Garden in Foshan, Yuyin Mountain House in Panyu, and Ke Garden in Dongguan.
The main structures within Qinghui Garden include the Boat Hall, Bixu Grass Hall, Chengyi Pavilion, Xiyin Study, Zhenyan Studio, and Zhuangyuan Hall. The garden features over 200 species of plants, including several centuries-old trees and renowned foreign species. Its design harmoniously integrates elements like clear waters, lush trees, ancient walls, decorative windows, rocky hills, small bridges, and winding corridors, all intertwined with pavilions and towers.
Qinghui Garden has a rich history, having served as the residence of prominent scholars and families, including the Long family from Daliang. Many notable historical figures emerged from those who lived in this elegant garden, making it a significant cultural site reflecting the art of ancient Chinese architecture, gardening, sculpture, poetry, and more.
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Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 15 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0757-22226196 |
Location and Transportation
Qinghui Garden is located at 23 Qinghuiyuan Road, Daliang, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 301, 305, 309, 310, 314, 319, 361, 380, 391, 905, or 918A and get off at Qinghui Garden Stop (清晖园站).
Metro: The closest metro station to Qinghui Garden is Daliang Bell Tower (大良钟楼). After getting out of the station from Exit E, walk about 400 meters to the south to reach the attraction.
Highlights of Qinghui Garden
Architectural Layout
Qinghui Garden is divided into three main sections: the southeast corner accessed through the original main gate, the central old garden area, and the recently constructed northwest new garden area. Although these areas are distinct, they are interconnected through walkways, corridors, and various small doors, creating a unified space.
The layout of the old garden area is particularly noteworthy. The western section centers around a square pond, while the northern part features the Boat Hall, which is the essence of the garden. The southern section includes the Bamboo Garden, Xiaopengying, and the Bishi Flower Pavilion, forming a courtyard within a courtyard—an arrangement that encapsulates the charm of a larger garden embracing smaller gardens.
Boat Hall (船厅)
The Boat Hall is the garden’s central structure, modeled after the “Zidong” boats of the Pearl River. This two-story building is adorned with carvings of bamboo, banana plants, snails, and rippling water patterns. The winding staircases resemble a boarding ramp for boats. Originally known as the “Miss’s Pavilion,” it is sometimes referred to as “Miss’s Building.”
In front of the Boat Hall are two ponds that create the illusion of the building floating on water. The rear features a beautiful white kapok tree known for its pale yellowish-white flowers, alongside a century-old ginkgo tree that bears fruit. Adjacent to the Boat Hall are the Xiyin Study and Zhenyan Studio, which serve as reading spaces for the young scholars of the garden.
Chengyi Pavilion (澄漪亭)
Chengyi Pavilion offers a picturesque view, directly facing the Boat Hall. From here, visitors can gaze upon the various pavilions and halls, as well as the flower pavilion on the east bank. The pavilion also provides close views of Yutangchun and a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree, often referred to as a living fossil. Although named a pavilion, it is constructed as a typical water pavilion: the platform extends partly over the water and partly onto the shore. The rectangular building on the platform features large doors and windows on the water-facing side, allowing for an open and airy atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy the scenery from inside or relax on the platform while taking in the beautiful views.
Bixu Grass Hall (碧溪草堂)
Bixu Grass Hall is believed to be the earliest structure in Qinghui Garden. Originally serving as a residence for the Long family matriarch, it was likely named “Grass Hall” after her passing. Inside, the hall features a hollowed wooden dome intricately carved with bamboo patterns. Flanking the entrance are glass sliding doors, adorned with a unique “Hundred Longevity” motif. This artwork consists of 48 distinct “寿” characters, crafted in various calligraphic styles, including clerical, seal, and bird-and-insect scripts. Unlike typical “Hundred Longevity” designs that include one hundred characters, this version created by the Long family descendants includes only ninety-six “longevity” characters, adding a unique touch to its artistic representation.
History of Qinghui Garden
Qinghui Garden traces its origins to the first year of the Tianqi era (1621) when Huang Shijun, a top scholar of the Ming Dynasty and Minister of Rites, built the Huang Family Ancestral Hall, Tianzhang Pavilion, and Ling’e Pavilion at the foot of Feng Mountain outside Shunde City. This marked the beginning of what would become Qinghui Garden.
During the Qianlong period (1711–1799), the scholar Long Yingshi purchased the old site, renovating and expanding it while planting flowers and greenery, gradually increasing its scale. In the tenth year of the Jiaqing era (1805), Long Tinghuai constructed a small square garden, dedicating it to his mother after resigning from his official position in 1800.
In the eleventh year of the Jiaqing era (1806), Long Tinghuai’s son, Long Yuanren, expanded the garden and officially named it “Qinghui Garden,” with the garden’s name inscribed by Li Zhaoluo, a calligrapher from Jiangsu. Long Yuanren later built Long Taichang Garden and Chuxiang Garden, which changed hands several times; Long Taichang Garden eventually became known as “Guangdayuan.”
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Long family sought refuge overseas, leading to the garden’s gradual deterioration. In 1959, Tao Zhu, then the Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee, visited Shunde and instructed key preservation efforts, allocating funds for restoration. This initiative merged Chuxiang Garden, Guangdayuan, Jiemaitang, and Jingqintang under the unified name “Qinghui Garden,” later establishing it as the first reception center for the Shunde County Committee.
After the reform and opening-up period, Qinghui Garden expanded to include restaurants, hotels, and parking facilities, becoming a comprehensive service unit for tourism, dining, and accommodation. In the spring of 1984, Deng Xiaoping visited Qinghui Garden to learn about Shunde’s development.
In the 1990s, recognizing its historical, artistic, and aesthetic value, the Shunde Municipal Committee and Government undertook significant renovations and expansions. This included the addition of several architectural attractions such as Fenglaifeng, Duyun Pavilion, Liufen Pavilion, Muying Stream, and Hongqiu Study, increasing the garden’s area from over 6,600 square meters to 9,795 square meters. By the end of the century, further expansions brought the total area to 22,500 square meters.
In November 2011, descendants of the Long family donated important historical documents, including land and property deeds, photos, and letters related to their ancestors and Long Qiming’s service in the Flying Tigers, enriching the garden’s historical significance.
