Chinese Garden
Chinese Garden, also known as Jurong Gardens, is a park in Jurong East, Singapore. The Chinese Garden was built in 1975 and was designed by Prof. Yuen-chen Yu, a well-known architect from Taiwan. The main characteristic of Chinese Garden is the integration of splendid architectural features with the natural environment. Features of the Chinese Garden include:
- Stone Lion
The Stone Lion at the Chinese Garden are sculptured from Taiwan-imported marble stone.
- Bridge
Bridges play an important role. In the Chinese Garden, they may denote particular periods of Chinese civilization. In the garden is the "Pai Hung Ch'iao" Bridge, or "White Rainbow Bridge", modelled after the 17-Arch Bridge of the Summer Palace in Peking.
- Main Arch Building
This magnificent building is a favourite picture-taking spot. Inside the main arch building are two courtyards, namely the "Early Spring Courtyard" and "Garden Courtyard".
- Stone Boat and Tea House
The Stone Boat is a famous traditional feature of Chinese architecture. The style of the "Yao-Yueh Fang" or Stone Boat of the Chinese Garden is based on the Peking style. The "Ming Hsiang Hsieh" or Tea House is a miniature structure following the style of the elaborate gallery at the Summer Palace.
- Pagoda
The "Ru Yun T'a" or "7-storey pagoda" is situated on a small hill in the Chinese Garden. It follows the style of Ling Ku Temple Pagoda at Nanking.
- Pavilion, Plateau, Tower
The Chinese Pavilion, Plateau and Tower represent the soul of the Chinese gardening art. Furthermore, the building must be linked with plants, rocks, a winding stream and footpaths so as to create a poetical scene.
- Bonsai Garden
Opened in June 1992, the Suzhou-style Bonsai Garden cost an estimate $3.8 million to build and open in June 1992. This 5,800 sq metres garden houses over 2,,000 bonsais from China and other parts of the world.
- Garden of Abundance
The Garden of Abundance is the newest addition to the Chinese Garden. Originally called the Zodiac & Pomegranate Garden, it consists of 100-year-old pomegranate trees from Shantung, carefully planted into the garden with the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals sculpture, a sundial, stone bridges and planting of materials, which have meanings of longevity, abundance and fulfilment. Hence the name Garden of Abundance was selected.
- The Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum
The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum exhibits different species turtles & tortoises and includes exotic creatures such as tortoises with 2 heads & 6 legs.
- You Yuan Buffet & Seafood Restaurant
The restaurant serves all kinds of seafood, southern and northern China cooking, Peking, Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine, You Yuan Seafood Restaurant sits on the Stone Boat, overlooking the calming waters.
- The East Entrance
The East Entrance was constructed to enable easy access for pedestrians visiting the gardens from the Chinese Garden MRT Station.
