Tan Garden in Nanxiang Ancient Town
Tan Garden in Nanxiang, Shanghai, located at No. 5 Huntang Alley, Nanxiang Town, Jiading District, Shanghai, is the private garden of the famous Ming Dynasty litterateur and one of the 'Four Masters of Jiading', Li Liufang. The garden covers an area of about 10 acres, with exquisite pavilions, towers, artificial mountains, and cool pavilions, as well as intricate carvings on doors and windows. The main attractions include the Baozun Hall, Shanyu Building, Ci Zui Hall, and the Lotus Pool.
Baozun Hall, the main hall of the garden, is five bays wide and was reconstructed using the classic Jiangnan garden architectural art known as the 'Mandarin Duck Hall'.
The south hall houses a full-body bronze statue of Li Liufang, a plaque with the inscription 'Yi Yuan Yang Fen' and poems written by literati from the Ming and Qing dynasties praising Li Liufang and Tan Garden, to show reverence for the sage.
The Lotus Pool is a courtyard penetrated by lake water, with many koi fish for visitors to feed.
On one side is the Bu Heng Ge boat, and on the other side, at the highest point of the artificial mountain, is the Zhao Yin Pavilion. The Zhao Yin Pavilion at the highest point is also the best spot for viewing, where one can see the nine-turn stone bridge over the Lotus Pool and the Bu Heng Ge boat as if boating on the lake.
Tan Garden was reopened to the public in 2011 after reconstruction.