|
Gulangyu
Island, known as "Garden On the Sea" is located in Xiamen
city of Fujian Province. Covered in green all the year round,
it's charming, elegant, secluded and serene. A great variety of
villas stand shrouded by lush wood resembling numerous jadeites
embellished upon a piece of verdant silk brocade. Hundreds of
flowers grown on the Riguang Rock (Sunlight Rock) vie with one
another for beauty.
With the caressing sea breeze, it's a quite cool place in hot
summer. At the foot of the rock, there's the Memorial Hall to
honor the national Hero Zheng Chenggong. In the Hall, exhibited
are historical datas showing how general Zheng recovered Taiwan
and the relics of the naval battles then. In the vicinity, one
can find the historical site of the platform where general Zheng
directed the training of his naval force.
Riguang Rock:
It's the summit of Gulangyu Island, 90 metres
above sea level. At the hill side nestles Riguang Monastery into
which the early rising sunlight can penetrate. Ascending to the
top of the Rock, one can see the billowing boundless sea.
Shuzhuang Garden:
Built in the style of "Yihong Garden"
described in the novel "Red Chamber Dream" it is like
an emerald flower set upon the seaside. Popular as "A garden
Within Another Garden on the Sea, it was constructed above the
sea. Seated in the Meishou Hall and sipping tea, one is so carried
away as though floating in a painted pleasure-boat upon the misty
boundless sea.
In its excellent layout and novel designs,
the Garden harbours infinite variety of changes, alternating tranquility
with movements. 44 bridges span the wavy sea. Monkey Cave, and
the twelve minor caves of "Maze Cave" all take a grotesque
and amusing shape. The pavilions in the garden built half upon
the land and half over the sea are picturesque.
|
|
