1 Wenjin St,
西安门 Xicheng District, Beijing, 100034.
This is a public park evolved from an imperial garden northwest of the Forbidden City in Beijing, west of Jingshan Park in the heart of Beijing.
Looking for old information, I went to Xicheng West End District Archives.
To remake their cities (and perhaps to show their achievements while in the office …) and aggressive developers, old historical remnants are being demolished, fast.
Qingdao: the 18 meter high fire watchtower on GuanXiang Road (望火楼; 1905-2009) on the western edge of the old observatory, and the train station (1901-1991) – the current train station is moved back 15 meters.
Ji’Nan: the old train station (1912-1992; by German architect 赫尔曼舍尔) and the two story commercial building (八卦楼; 1914-97).
Ten Thousand Bamboo Garden 万竹园
Ji’nan, Shandong
Thanks to my aunt Yang Dongming who systematically photographed the Garden by courtyards. 谢谢小婶婶杨东明 特意帮我逐个花园照. 感恩
From the entrance, there is the rockery 假山 and the Donggao Spring 东高泉 to the left, which is one of the three springs. This post is mainly on the courtyards.
The Eastern Section 东套院 was the main living quarter.
Turning right from the entrance is the Eastern Section – the main section. The front building has converted into a memorial hall to house artist Li Kuchan’s work 李苦禅纪念馆 since 1986. And followed by (up north) Pomegranate Courtyard 石榴院, the Magnolia Courtyard 玉兰院 and at the back is the 绣楼/恒明楼, the actual place my great grandfather lived.
The Pomegranate Courtyard 石榴院
The Magnolia Courtyard 玉兰院 & the Hengming 恒明
This well was prized in the Magnolia Courtyard 玉兰院. According to Grandaunt Jingqiao, when they were little, they liked to use the water from this well to wash their hair because it made their hair particularly smooth and shiny.
听巧姑说: 他们小时候用这个井水洗头, 特别顺滑.
The Western Section 西套院 of living quarter. Passing by the rockery to the right, the little pathway leads to the family quarter. It has Apricot Courtyard 杏院, Wangshui Spring 望水泉, Begonia Courtyard 海棠院, Aihe (Lotus) 爱荷亭, Papaya Courtyard 木瓜院.
After anther round of fundraising, our family’s cemetery was updated. Many relatives gathered there shortly before the Tomb Sweeping Day 清明节, to pay respect to our ancestors.
Afterward, they visited Wanzhu Yuan again. The top and lower left photos were taken on Marcy 17, 2016.
The Jingjue Temple is still closed.
This is my third time visiting the Garden but first time with my Dad. We stand in front of his former room, two small pics are inside. It’s being used as an office now. The female staff is gracious to let us in.
As soon as we entered the Baotu Garden I could feel dad and his aunt were anxious. They were on the cloud, revisiting their childhood home where they shared so many happy memories. (Maps of Jinan)
The two kids caught my eyes near Dad’s room. I snapped this photo, thinking Dad and his aunt eight decades ago.
The back door of my paternal grandma’s room
Donggao Quan, Baiyun Quan, Bailong Wan
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The lower right photo is on April 2nd, 2019
WanZhu Yuan merged with it…
This is my 3rd time visiting this famous spring in Jinan. The pic below (four of us) is taken by uncle Changgeng who’s a enthusiast of photographer. More 2016 pix here
There are many other springs in Jinan.
Wuyou Quan 无忧泉 2016.03.17
Shiwan Quan 石湾泉 2016.03.17
Donggao Quan 2016.03.17
Baiyun Quan 2016.03.17
The hotel is in the heart of the town, with an easy stroll, we visit a couple of shopping malls. I even get them into a Starbucks.
