The only existing garden dating back to the Sui Dynasty (581-618) in China is now open to tourists after a restoration project.
The garden, located in Xinjiang County, north China's Shanxi province, was among the oldest gardens in northern China. Construction of the garden began in 596, according to historical documents.
The garden belonged to Liang Gui, a county magistrate of Xinjiang during the Sui Dynasty. It consisted of several ponds, including one full of lotus flowers that have been well preserved through the centuries. The existing buildings were mainly built during Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
The local government allocated 1.5 million yuan in 1998 for the renovation.
(People’s Daily 11/08/2000)
