The Liyuan Gardens are part of the Kaiping Diaolou and Villages (Zili, Majianglong, Sanmenli, Jinjiangli)
Li Garden was a built by an Overseas Chinese American,Mr.Xie Wei Li,around 1926 and finished in 1936.The garden blends harmoniously the elements of Chinese traditional gardening,Southern China water-town style landscaping and Western architecture.The garden is arranged in three main areas:grand garden,mansions and small garden .Each area is carefully separated by man-made canals while connected elegantly by footbridges and pathways.The design of the garden reflects the idea of isolation and integration. The entrance of the grand garden has a stone arched-gate which declares the residency of the Xie family in two large,handwritten characters, �Li Garden�.The grand garden incorporates a walk-in size birdcage,a small pond and a flower pavilion along with various trees and plants.Standing in the grand garden are two steel poles called the �tiger whip�which were built to scare away evil spirits.
The mansion area consists of six estates and two Diaolou.The interior design of the estates is decorated with Western fixtures and Chinese red-wood furniture .At the northwest corner of the mansion area is the Yupei estate which was built as a memorial to Mr.Xie�s beloved second wife,Tan Yu-ying,who passed away at a young age while he was away.
The State council placed Li Garden on the list of the National Cultural Relics.Li Garden was rated an AAAA grade tourist site by the National Tourist Bureau
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) Web site provides more information as well as the official China website
Liyuan Garden (SUN\JAY Property)
Trip Advisor
You tube Video