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Yu Yin Shan Fang
Introduction to Yu Yin Shan
Fang:
Yu Yin Shan Fang means "Ancestral
Beneficence Villa", but it is also known under the name Yu Yin Yuan,- "Ancestral
Beneficence Garden".
It was built in 1867 by Wu-bing,-
an official in the Imperial government.
When Wu-bing retired due to
old age, he returned to his native home at Nancung, and built this magnificent
house and garden, to honor his ancestors and to pray for his descendants.
There he lived in seclusion,-
being disillusioned with the mortal world outside.
The layout is a perfect example
of how much you can squeeze into a Chinese garden on a very limited space,-
the garden covers an area of only about 2000 square meters.
But the garden contains absolutely
everything,- mountains, - lakes, - various pavilions, - terraces, - turrets,
- bridges, - waterfalls,- and more - - -
Also take note of the perfect
harmony between buildings and garden.
Today Master Wu-bings great
house and garden is rarely visited because it is far away from everything.
Transportation is complicated, and it is far away from the tourist trail.
Before the locals used to visit the place in great numbers because of the
Buddhist temple that Master Wu-bing built into his house. The Great
Buddha is still there, but the building is not used as a temple anymore.
Therefore,- if you can find
the place, and get the good fortune of visiting Yu Yin Shan Fang, you will
most likely have it all to yourself!
But for now,- please enjoy my
pictures from a visit to Master Wu-bings great house and garden.
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- the main entrance to Wu-bings
house and garden -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- from inside looking out to
the square in front of the house -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- entering the great house
-
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Fang Shan Garden
- the great Buddha -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- a "Moon Gate" with access
to the garden area behind -
(Photography by karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- the lotus pond with gold
fish in front of the house -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- another access into
the garden via a covered corridor -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- leading to the magnificent
octagonal "Exquisite Waterside Pavilion", where the garden master met the
celebrities, scholars, poets and friends for drinking, writing and talking
-
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- here an inside view of the
"Exquisite Waterside Pavilion" -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- a view from inside to the
covered bridge -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- another view through the
windows of the "Exquisite Waterside Pavilion" -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
Here an arched bridge spans
a canal with a boat.
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
This bridge is a favorite with
Chinese artists, who use it as background when painting portraits of noble,
high class, sophisticated Chinese ladies.
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- a courtyard with pond,- and
bonsai trees in front -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- and another view -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- an inner courtyard,- being
admired by Kit Yu -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- and another one with murals
-
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- a lotus pond in all shades
of green -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
Yu Yin Shan Fang Garden
- and detail showing a dripping
water fall -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
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Updated: May 27.2003
Nov.20.2004
Oct.23.2006
Oct.24.2006