Xiao Lianzhuang

Xiao Lianzhuang in Nanxun: Located to the west of Wangu Bridge in the southwest of Nanxun Town, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, it is a private garden built by Liu Yong, the richest man in Nanxun in the late Qing Dynasty, commonly known as 'Four Elephants'. It was started in the 11th year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1885), and after 40 years of operation by three generations of the Liu family, it was completed by Liu Chenggan, the eldest grandson of Liu Yong, in 1924. Covering an area of 27 acres, it is named Xiao Lianzhuang because of its admiration for the name of the Lotus Villa built by Zhao Mengfu, a great painter from Huzhou at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. The area is 17,399 square meters. Originally a temporary burial garden for the Liu family, it started planting flowers and willows around the pond, replanting lotus flowers, arranging pavilions, and building family temples from the 11th year of Guangxu (1885), and it was completed in 1924. Because of the admiration for the Lotus Villa of Zhao Mengfu, a painter from the Yuan Dynasty, it was named 'Xiao Lianzhuang'. Everyone knows the story of Zhang Guolao riding a donkey backwards. Zhang Guolao is the oldest immortal among the eight immortals in ancient Chinese mythology and has a wide influence in Chinese folklore. He is a real historical figure.