Yan Family Garden, Mudu Gardens

Yan Family Garden names after its master’s family name, and its original name is Xianyuan or Admiration Garden. It was said that Shen Deqian, a famous poet of Qing Dynasty, once planted trees and flowers here and then formed the initial look of the garden. In 1828, Qian Duanxi built garden here, and he fabricated hills and opened the pool, and also established the pavilions and corridors. Originally it was named Duanyuan garden. In 1902, Duanyuan garden was operated by Yan Guoxin, and the garden was expanded, and also renamed Xianyuan garden.

Mudu boasts The First Garden-Style Ancient Town in Jiangnan Area. It deserves this title. During the time of Ming and Qing Dynasties, there were more than 30 private gardens in Mudu. Due to the destruction and breakage of the wars, up to now, there are still more than 10 private gardens left. Among Chinese plenty of ancient towns, Mudu is famous for its unique gardens. And Yan Family Garden is the most famous one.

Yan Family Garden is a residential garden facing north and backing on south. It is built following the traditional axes. From the front to the rear, the buildings include: Zhaobi or Family Entrance Wall, Gate Hall, Middle Hall, Gig Hall and Tower Hall. Shangxian Hall of Big Hall is the outside room especially for meeting distinguished guests and holding the ceremonies of wedding, funeral, birthday and celebration. Tower Hall is the major residence for family living. There are two brick-carved gate towers in residence. The gate tower near to middle hall is carved four Chinese characters: “桂馥兰芳” to show the elegance and well-education of this family like orchid and laurel.

The scenery of Yan Family Garden consists of four small scenic areas. Four fabricated hills are respectively made of green stones and yellow stones. In summer-themed scenic zone, the artificial hill is the largest, and seen from different angles, it has the different charming aspect. In Spring-themed zone, there is the green-stone hill, and it is also famous for the view of Opening Door to See Hill because it is near to Youyu Study. The other two are called Chishan Hill and Bishan Hill for their different views respectively.

Yan Family Garden is the largest private garden in Mudu. Four scenic zones categorized with four seasons are the most vivid feature of Yan Family Garden. In garden,from west to north and ten to east are four themed small gardens and the back-garden. Liang Sicheng, a Chinese modern architect, visited this garden for several times and gave the high appraise, and thought of it as the leading garden in Suzhou gardens.

Yan Family Garden in different period was owned by different masters. The first master was Shen Deqian who was the famous poet and the learner in Qing Dynasty. The second was Yan Guoxin, the leading rich man of Mudu. And the third master was Yan Jiagan, who was the grandson of Yan Guoxin and the important politician of Taiwan of China.

After the death of Chiang Kai-shek, majority of people considered Jiang Jingguo to be the second”president” in Taiwan of China. Actually, there was a transitional” president”, and he was Yan Jiagan. To a most degree, the restoration of this garden is closely connected with Yan Jiagan. Yan Family Garden becomes more famous and culturally attractive for these historic figures.