Jianshui Zhu Family Garden 建水朱家花园

[abcdefg]

This Qing Dynasty 清代 estate is one of the main tourist draws of Jianshui, something not to be missed if you are anywhere close. It was built as a family compound complete with 42 courtyards and 214 rooms, occupying 50,000 square meters of grounds. It's arranged somewhat like a maze, and it's easy to get turned around. But if you wander long enough you will encounter family shrines, a clean blue-water lake and even a three-story pagoda. Many parts of the estate are fancifully named after places, people and events in "Dream of the Red Chamber" 红楼梦。 

 

This is the main entrance, not far from West Gate. One must buy a ticket for 50 Yuan. They are open from early morning until 8 o'clock at night. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throughout the grounds one finds quite a few of these classic round "moon gates" 月亮门。They have the effect of inviting a guest to step through; they "draw you in." 

 

 

 

You walk from one courtyard to another in whatever order you choose. There are no big yellow directional arrows painted on the ground to regiment your flow or your course. It's not unusual to find serious photographers here carefully lining up their shots or analyzing lighting and shadows. Big heavy cameras are the rule, not the exception.

 

 

 

In the early fall of the year, around National Day in October, one sees huge banks of large-head chrysanthemums. Now, in the deep middle of winter, the flowers are less spectacular, but still add small islands of color. 

 

 

 

Near one end of the grounds is a sparkling lake, watched over by a pair of pagodas. It is stocked with goldfish who don't seem disturbed by the chilly temperature of the water. No floating candy wrappers or cigarette butts here; the grounds are well maintained.

 

 

This time of year is off season and there were not many visitors. It's a nice place to bring a book, a sandwich, and a thermos of tea. It's a nice place to go slow and pretend you are a poet. 

 

 

 

On the way out, I passed by a large room where an old man was writing calligraphy scrolls that you could buy to hang on a wall. I watched him a few minutes, said hello, and then left.

 

 I've visited at night and I've visited in the rain; I've visited when the overhead sun is blazing hot. It has always been a refreshing spot regardless of weather. One of several peaceful venues in Jianshui's Old Town 古城。

 

[Alex_Hart]

Nice pictures, abcd. I seem to recall that there was a hallway near the performance area with some beautiful wood carvings. Would like to visit again one day.

[abcdefg]

Thanks, Alex. There were lots excellent wood carvings all throughout. I especially liked the carved wood doors. Another thing these gardens did well was their collection of bonsai trees 盆栽。

 

 

Looks like I will have to make a separate post out of that. Forum software this morning only allows a total of 0.19 MB for all attachments. I will try to contact one of the moderators to ask about this new policy.

 

 

[abcdefg]

Here's a look at the bonsai 盆栽。

 

Well, now the software won't allow the uploading of any more pictures, at least not by me. Not even the bonsai shot, 75 kb. 

 

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I will contact the administrative staff. 

 

 

 

 

[Alex_Hart]

Silly forum software! 

 

I loved those carvings - thanks for sharing. I seem to recall sending my mother a text message after leaving the house that went something along the lines of "I want to build a Chinese classical home for myself!!"

[abcdefg]

Building a courtyard house like that must be a huge undertaking today. I did see some undergoing extensive renovation in Tuanshan Village 团山村, a few kilometers away. Went there one day by narrow-gauge train. Stopped by the famous double-dragon bridge 双龙桥 on the way. 

 

Will post pictures from there once I am given more space. Apparently I've hit my limit, but I've contacted Roddy to seek a remedy. 

[HuayangAcademy]

abcdefg,

 

Great write up, we are thinking of a little field trip!

Can you advise on travel from Kunming or is it better to hire a private bus?

 

Cheers

[abcdefg]

1 hour ago, HuayangAcademy said:

Can you advise on travel from Kunming or is it better to hire a private bus?

 

We rode the train. Takes a little under 3 hours and a hard seat ticket costs 29 Yuan. Four trains a day, departing from the Kunming main station 昆明站。

 

If the students you are taking are new to China, riding the train could be part of their "getting to know the real China" experience, even though a chartered bus would be easier and more efficient. Train is a great place to strike up conversations with local people. 

[HuayangAcademy]

Thanks very much, 

not too expensive and a good lesson in a moving classroom full of native Chinese, 

29 is cheap!

 

Thanks for the info, I'll report back but it will be after CNY!