Chinese Garden, Singapore

Chinese Garden
Chinese Garden in 2012
Map
TypeTourist attraction
LocationYuan Ching Road, Jurong East, Singapore
Area135,000 square meters
Opened1975; 49 years ago (1975)
Operated byJTC Corporation[1]
OpenOpened daily from 6 am to 11 pm (SST)

Chinese Garden[a] is a park in Jurong East, Singapore. Built in 1975 by the JTC Corporation, the Chinese Garden's concept is based on Chinese gardening art.[2] The main characteristic is the integration of architectural features with the natural environment.[3] The Chinese Garden is modeled along the northern Chinese imperial style of architecture and landscaping.[1] It is located next to Chinese Garden MRT station and connected to the adjacent Japanese Garden by a bridge.[4] Along with Japanese Garden and Lakeside Garden, that was opened in 2019, the three gardens are collectively known as the Jurong Gardens.[5]

History

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Plans for the construction of Chinese Garden were first mentioned in 1968 by Woon Wah Siang, the chairman of the JTC Corporation.[6] Earthworks began in 1968 and planning of the design was finalized in 1970, with construction beginning in 1971. The garden was completed in 1975 at a cost of S$4.7 million and was opened by then-Finance Minister Hon Sui Sen.[7] In 1989, Chinese Garden was closed from March to July to undergo renovation works.[8]

In 2014, a year-long "redecoration and refurbishment" project was launched. The areas to be repaired included the main entrance plaza, the pavilions, the pagodas, the Stone Boat, and footpaths. The repair works involved removing wood that had rotted or became infested by termites. This also included patching up spalling concrete and cracked walls, replacing broken and loose roof tiles, stopping water leakage, as well as replacing old electrical wiring, timber footpaths or rusted fittings.[1]

In May 2019, Chinese Garden and the adjacent Japanese Garden were closed for extensive renovation. The gardens reopened in September 2024 with a new aquatic garden with 150 different types of water lily. A new exhibit, Sunken Garden, was also introduced that featured 200 types of epiphytes.[9] Previous features such as the Twin Pagoda, Grand Arch, and the Stone Boat were also refurbished.[5]

Features

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Stone Lions

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A pair of cloudy-grained marble stone lions at the main gates of the Chinese Garden, guarding the main gates of the garden. The marble stone used to sculpt the lions was imported from Taiwan.[10]

Bridge

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White Rainbow Bridge, connecting the main entrance with the rest of garden.
Bridge of Double Beauty, connecting the Chinese Garden with the Japanese Garden.

The 13-arch White Rainbow Bridge[b] at the garden follows the style of the Seventeen-Arch Bridge at the Summer Palace in Peking.[11]

In 1989 a second bridge, the Bridge of Double Beauty, was built, to connect the Chinese Garden with the Japanese Garden.[12]

Main Arch Building

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The Main Arch Building is a standard Chinese arch building. This building is popular for picture-taking. Inside the main arch building, there are two courtyards, namely the “Early Spring Courtyard” and “Garden Courtyard”. Additionally, there is a fishpond in the centre which is named the “Fish Paradise”.[11]

Stone Boat and Tea House

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A famous traditional feature of Chinese architecture is the Stone Boat structure. Its design and architectural beauty are considered to be a fine art that has been praised by people throughout the world.[13]

The style of Yao-Yueh Fang (the Stone Boat) in the Chinese Garden is based on the Peking style, but with some adaptations in the design and usage of materials.[14]

The Ming Hsiang Hsieh (Tea House) is a miniature structure following the style of the elaborate, winding gallery at the Summer Palace. This meandering design is a characteristic and graceful Chinese architectural feature.

Pagoda

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The 7-storey pagoda with some of the Eight Heroes in the foreground.
The twin pagodas

In ancient times, pagodas, originally simple tower structures located beside temples, were used for the storage of human ashes (in urns) by Buddhists.

The Ru Yun T'a (7-storey pagoda) is situated on a small hill in the Chinese Garden. Its typical pagoda design follows the style of Linggu Temple Pagoda at Nanjing.[15]

Pavilion, Plateau and Tower

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The Chinese Pavilion, Plateau and Tower are considered to be an important part of the Chinese gardening art. The artistic features, typical of Chinese architecture, have long been appreciated by man. The design of the four pavilions at the Chinese Garden is based on the style of Northern Chinese Pavilions, and decorated to blend harmoniously with the garden.

Bonsai Garden

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Bonsai Garden

Opened in June 1992, the Suzhou-style Bonsai Garden cost an estimated $3.8 million to build. This 5,800-square-metre garden with Suzhou-style buildings (incorporating a main hall of 50 square metres) and landscape houses a collection of over 2,000 bonsais imported from China and other parts of the world.[16]

It is designed as the largest Suzhou-style Bonsai garden of its kind outside of China.[16]

A Bonsai Training Centre has been launched. The public are encouraged to sign up for the course, which will be taught by Bonsai experts from Shanghai and Suzhou (China). They will teach how to prune and care for Bonsais and how to appreciate the beauty of this unique artistry.

Garden of Abundance

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The original name of this garden is the Zodiac & Pomegranate Garden, derived from the elements used for the construction of the garden. It consists of pomegranate trees, the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals sculpture, a sundial, stone bridges and planting of materials.[17]

100-year-old pomegranate trees from Shantung, China were planted into the garden.[17] They sit among the 12 Chinese Zodiac Animal sculptures.[18]

East Entrance

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This entrance was constructed in conjunction with the Chinese Garden MRT station, to ensure easy access for pedestrians visiting the gardens. Upon approaching the garden, there is a Red Bridge that will lead you in. Four stone lions, welcoming the visitors that are entering the garden, "guard" the entrance.[19]

Former features

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Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum

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The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum

The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum, a primary attraction in Chinese Garden, exhibits various species of turtles and tortoises.[17]

In 2019, the museum moved out from the gardens and relocated to Yishun; this was due to upgrading works carried out in the surrounding Jurong Lake District.

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ (traditional Chinese: 裕華園; simplified Chinese: 裕华园; Malay: Taman Cina; Tamil: சீனத்தோட்டம்)
  2. ^ (Chinese: 白虹橋, Bái hóngqiáo)

Citations

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  1. ^ a b c Toh, Yong Chuan (5 May 2014). "Makeover for Jurong gardens". The Straits Times (Singapore). Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  2. ^ Cheang, Christina (16 March 1975). "JURONG'S LATEST TOURIST ATTRACTION". The Straits Times. p. 15. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  3. ^ Cheang, Christina (18 April 1975). "HON OPENS $5 mil CHINESE GARDEN". The Straits Times. p. 18. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  4. ^ "Chinese Garden, MRT station link-up soon". The Straits Times. 12 November 1988. p. 3. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  5. ^ a b Yusof, Zaihan Mohamed (8 September 2024). "Chinese, Japanese gardens reopen with rejuvenated landmarks and new eco-friendly spaces". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  6. ^ Yeo, Toon Joo (26 October 1968). "Jurong gets ready to grow three times". The Straits Times. p. 10. Retrieved 15 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  7. ^ Cheang, Christina (18 April 1975). "HON OPENS $5 mil CHINESE GARDEN". The Straits Times. p. 18. Retrieved 15 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  8. ^ "Chinese Garden to close for renovation". The Straits Times. 6 March 1989. p. 19. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  9. ^ Wong, Pei Ting (21 July 2024). "Water lilies, 'sunken' garden to greet visitors when Japanese, Chinese Gardens reopen in Sept". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Bonsai lions in S'pore". The New Paper. 28 January 1989. p. 6. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  11. ^ a b Mak, Kian Seng (18 April 1975). "You will find peace and quiet in this green haven". The Straits Times. p. 19. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  12. ^ "Bridge that will link two gardens". The Straits Times. 8 January 1986. p. 12. Retrieved 15 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  13. ^ "Chinese Garden now home for this dragon". The Straits Times. 15 July 1978. p. 14. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  14. ^ "Wedding bells peal at Stone Boat". The Straits Times. 21 June 1982. p. 8. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  15. ^ "7-tier pagoda is the landmark". The Straits Times. 18 April 1975. p. 19. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  16. ^ a b "Suzhou-style bonsai garden opens". The Straits Times. 23 June 1992. p. 26. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  17. ^ a b c "The Garden of Blessings". Today. 7 February 2003. p. 40. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  18. ^ "LANTERN LIGHT-UP". The New Paper. 16 September 1988. p. 40. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  19. ^ "Bridge to link Chinese Garden, MRT station". The Straits Times. 15 February 1988. p. 12. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
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