The ancient garden is open for free for a limited time

The Tan Garden, located in Nanxiang Ancient Town, Jiading, Shanghai, was built during the Ming Dynasty and belonged to Li Liufang, one of the 'Four Masters of Jiading'. Although not very large, the garden is exquisitely designed with a compact layout. At its heart lies a gourd-shaped pond called 'Furong Bin', surrounded by pavilions, towers, and halls. Li Liufang was skilled in calligraphy and painting and was known as one of the 'Nine Friends of Painting' along with Dong Qichang and Wang Jian. His aesthetic is evident in the garden, which features layered perspectives, winding paths, and a well-arranged density of plantings, making it a small yet beautiful garden that is well-maintained. It's no wonder the admission fee is usually higher than that of the ancient Yi Garden. The garden boasts numerous attractions worth savoring, such as the twenty-four filial piety brick carvings on the 'Sanketang' doorway, the dragon-shaped 'Longhan Fangshuo' Taihu rock, the auspicious patterns on the pathway in front of the 'Yizhai' half-pavilion, and the flower windows and wood carvings in the 'Baozun Hall' and 'Flower Basket Hall'. It's a highly recommended visit. Additionally, here's a heads-up about a limited-time benefit: Tan Garden is currently open for free until the end of May. Interested friends should not miss out!