The five Chinese characters inscribed on the wall outside the Ho Family Garden literally mean "the most important garden in Late Qing Dynasty", Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 7, 2014. (People's Daily Online/Du Mingming)

Located at Huayuan Lane in Xuningmen Street of Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Ho Family Garden, also named "Jixiao Heights", is regarded as "the most important garden in Late Qing Dynasty". An official surnamed Ho of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) from Hubei Province spent 13 years building it as his residence, hence the garden's name.

Ho Family Garden consists of three parts: the back garden, the residential area, and the Pian Shi Shan Fang. The garden is famous for its excellent combination of western architecture art and eastern garden characteristics.

All the iron for railings and window glass were imported from abroad. The houses are also decorated with western items. Around the pool of the garden stands a variety of pavilions that are linked together to form an architecture belt. The garden is also known for its zigzag paths and winding corridors.

Its profound cultural background and ingenuity of buildings are much admired. The integration of strong points of imperial gardens and those of private gardens south of the Yangtze River resulted in a refreshing and tasteful ambience.

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