Fujian Garden: the Most Distinctive Fuzhou in “Three Lanes and Seven Alleys”

When it comes to Fujian, we have to talk about the “Three Lanes and Seven Alleys” of its capital Fuzhou. As one of the well-reserved large historic and cultural block in China, the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys are the source of history and root of the culture of Fuzhou. During Beijing Expo 2019, the Fujian Garden will present the typical cultural charms and garden art of Fujian to visitors with the silhouette landscape walls, pavilions, waterside pavilions and figure sculptures of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys as the main views.

Stepping into the Fujian Garden, we will see a sea of colorful, gorgeous flowers in front of the main entrance like a piece of sparkling brocade spreading on the ground in spring. The fragrance will surely attract the visitors. As we step on the ancient flagstone path, a literary and cultural journey filled with the natural beauty of Fujian begins.

On both sides of the entrance, the “Three Lanes and Seven Alleys” silhouette walls of residences stand among the bright spring scenery with profound meanings, guiding visitors to enter the garden for sightseeing. As we go forward along the broad flagstone path, we will see two stone drums on both sides with their ancient grooves telling the vicissitudes of history. The visitor-greeting yew plum pine in the middle of the square that looks like a roc spreading its wings welcomes visitors from everywhere.

Passing through Xiangpeng Greeting Square, you will see two tour paths. The one on the left will lead you to the scenic spots like Fragrant Tea by Water, Fuyuan Pavilion and Sunglow in a Green Lake. There are blooming flowers, green trees, banyan bonsai in various shapes as well as lively and interesting bougainvillea bonsai along the road. Visitors can stop on the stone bridge to admire the beauty of flowers and water or have a little rest in Fuyuan Pavilion. Stopping at Fragrant Tea by Water, we will see the plants cut into the shapes of a teapot and a teacup with the spring water pouring down from the spout into the teacup as if it were a pot of fragrant tea.

The path on the right will lead you to scenic spots including Noble Sentiment of the Crane Freer, Flower Terrace in the Water, Fragrant Spring Snow, and Graceful Bearing of Cycads. Noble Sentiment of the Crane Freer is the main cultural landscape of the garden. It is a set of sculptures of Lin Zexu releasing cranes. The vivid image and bearing recreate the scene of Lin releasing cranes in the salt officer Ye Jingchang’s house in Guanglu Yintai in the 30th year of the reign of Emperor Daoguang, revealing Lin Zexu’s noble sentiment. Walking forward along the path, you will come to Flower Terrace in the Water. You can stand beside the waterside pavilion, listening to the wind and viewing fishes dabbling about in the water. Lotuses by the pond exhale gentle fragrance, and the waterside pavilion is surrounded by twittering of birds and fragrance of flowers. A cool breeze across the face feels so nice. The pleasant environment encourages the visitors to linger. On the east side of the waterside pavilion, there is the Fragrant Spring Snow. Jasmines planted everywhere are like a sea of white flowers, exhaling faint fragrance in the wind. On the south side of the waterside pavilion, there is the Graceful Bearing of Cycads. Cycads planted in groups in different shapes are like spreading umbrellas, green springs gushing out and peacocks spreading their tails.

“The Fujian Garden shows the characteristics of Fujian with rich regional history culture and distinctive flower horticulture. It will definitely be a wonderful experience that visitors would remember for a very long time,” said Zhang Miao, designer of the Fujian Garden.