The Moshang Garden, built by Moshi in 1897 (the twenty-third year of Guangxu’s reign) and taking three years to complete with a cost of 10,000 ounces of silver, was finished in 1899. It is a large closed-type ancient rural residence group located in the south lake water town, famous for its Suzhou-Hangzhou garden scenes. With an area of seven mu (0.45 acres) and a building area of 2,600 square meters, it has 77 rooms of different scales, with a main structure of three units on either side, four courtyards in front and back, and symmetrical but not rigid arrangement.
The carvings are exquisite, with elegant eaves, beautiful window screens, intricate tile works, wall paintings, and other ornaments. The three courtyard gardens during the setting period are like poems or paintings, small and delicate, as if reduced from heaven to earth, making people delight in their beauty. In terms of layout, all sorts of furniture, painting, antiques, and ceramics come together, distilling the essence of Jiangnan culture.
Viewed overall, the building is characterized by its staggered heights, with some parts slightly higher or lower than others, and a design that creates a harmonious balance. The whole complex exudes a refined elegance that highlights the beauty of ancient Chinese architecture. Its completeness, richness in real artifacts, typical style, and unique charm make it stand out as a treasure of Jiangnan, deserving praise from domestic and foreign tourists alike.
The beauty of this garden is renowned overseas and has earned its nickname “Old Palace of Jiangnan”.
Mao’s Manor, built by Mao Fangmei in 1897 and completed in 1899, is a large-scale traditional residential complex with a total construction area of over 2,600 square meters. The entire project took three years to complete and costed 10 million two-cash coins (a unit of currency). It’s considered one of the most magnificent architectural wonders in southern China.
The manor covers an area of about seven mu (an ancient Chinese measurement), with a total floor space of over 2,600 square meters. The main structure is divided into three sections: left-right-middle, and there are four courtyards and more than 70 rooms for various purposes. The layout is symmetrical yet flexible.
The intricately carved wooden beams, ornate eaves, grand arches, exquisite terracotta carvings, wall paintings, stone sculptures, and other decorative elements can be found throughout the complex. In addition to these architectural wonders, there are three landscaped gardens that resemble a poem or painting, with intricate designs and beautiful ornaments.
The furniture settings showcase antiques, calligraphy works, porcelain wares, etc., highlighting the essence of Jiangnan culture. The diverse architecture, from tall to low-rise buildings, is distributed in an orderly manner, making it seem as if nature has created this wonderland. This masterpiece embodies Chinese traditional architectural beauty and has earned praise and admiration from both domestic and foreign tourists.
The reputation of Mao’s Manor has been likened to that of the Jiangnan Grand Museum.