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DR SUN YAT - SEN CLASSICAL CHINESE GARDEN In Vancouver
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DR SUN YAT - SEN CLASSICAL CHINESE GARDEN In Vancouver
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DR SUN YAT - SEN CLASSICAL CHINESE GARDEN In Vancouver
Dr. SUN YAT - SEN CLASSICAL CHINESE GARDEN
Dr Sun Yat – Sen Classical Chinese Garden located in Vancouver’s China Town, is one of the first authentic Ming Dynasty style Gardens built outside of China in 1985 & opened in 1986 to celebrate Expo 86.
The Garden is named after Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, a nationalist leader who is considered to be the, ‘Father of modern China’.
President of the Republic of China January 1, 1912 – March 10, 1912 Image from Wikipedia
Dr. Sun Yat - Sen Park & Classical Chinese Gardens are two separate entities. We first entered into the park which is open to the public and free of charge. One of the entrances into the Public Park is located on Pender Street, next to the Chinese Cultural Centre in China Town Vancouver.
Both gardens are enclosed by an 8' high wall that is painted white, with contrasting black tiles sitting on top. The white walls act as a blanc canvas in which the various shapes, colours & the unique forms of rock & trees stand out prominently as pieces of art, each to be admired for their form & beauty.
Looking through the Black Bamboo Grove by Frost Nursery
You immediately feel a great sense of peace & serenity descending upon you as you enter into the park. The quiet atmosphere infused with the sound of wildlife splashing and swimming around in the pond. The outstanding fall leaf colour of the plants and trees all add to a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Chinese pavilion with outward leaning rails to sit and enjoy the park while protected from the elements.
From the public garden we are able to take a peek a boo view into the Classical Chinese Garden beyond, through this elaborately & intricately carved Moon Gate made from the wood of a Ginkgo Tree.
Chinese or Asian gardens are all about balance & harmony, which as you will notice is quite different from the Western idea of balance using symmetry as in straight paths, with identical themes on either side. Asian gardens are usually asymmetrical in design, they use gravel & rocks to create paths which are uneven, winding & forcing you to tread carefully, slow down and be mindful and contemplative of the environment & your thoughts.
Below is the entrance into Dr. Sun Yat - Sen Classical Chinese Gardens. Located on Carrall Street in Vancouver. Admission price includes a guided tour by one of their very knowledgeable docents.
Visitors are greeted by this small enclosed courtyard made up of tiny pebbles and rocks brought over from China. The elegant latticed door is carved from the wood of a Ginkgo Tree. White walls, and an open latticed window serves to enlarge the space and garden beyond.
Four essential elements are incorporated into the design of a classical Chinese Garden: Plants, rock, architecture and water. These important elements are used to bring balance and harmony into the space.
The garden is an authentic representation of a typical Chinese scholar’s residence during the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644 )
Funding for the garden was provided by the Chinese and Canadian government, the local Chinese community and other private & public sectors.
The chief architect was Wang Zu-Xin with the assistance from a Landscape Architecture company in Suzhou in China. The outer public park was designed by architects Joe Wai of Architect Inc and Donald Vaughan & Associates, landscape architects of Vancouver, BC.
Over 50 Master Craftsman were sent over from Suzhou, China to work alongside their Canadian counterparts to complete the landscape project within a year.
Following in the art of their ancient Chinese master craftsman, no nails or synthetic bonding materials were used in the construction. Precise joinery methods were used, like the master craftsmen of the Ming dynasty employed in their construction.
The Maidenhair tree, Ginkgo biloba, has the distinctive claim of being referred to as a Living Fossil by the International Organisation of Palaeobotany.
Standing tall and proud, the golden fan shaped leaves of this Ginkgo tree shines brilliantly in the sun. This tree symbolizes China as the beautiful red leaf Maple Tree symbolizes Canada.
A beautiful ornate Chinese Pagoda sits atop a mountain formed from Tai or 'Taihu shi', which were once lime stone rocks that have been naturally sculpted by the movement within Lake Tai in China. These stunning rocks can be found all around the garden in borders, mountains, or even standing upright by themselves. The upright rocks serve as pieces of art, and after a little quiet contemplation one soon finds images of animal shapes that have been naturally sculpted over the years by the lake water.
The Scholar's Private Garden
What type of animal do you see in this upright standing rock? Notice how the courtyard pebbles that came from rivers in China, are set in patterns of flowers, butterflies and bats.
A private garden for one of the scholar's wives
A private small garden created for one of the scholar’s wives. The fortunate wife would be able to sit and enjoy her private garden sheltered from the sun and rain by the overhanging roof. The tiles of the roof are in the shape of bats and the ends of the tiles are like open bat wings which symbolize happiness and good fortune.
All throughout the garden balance and harmony can be found. You will notice the white walls are balanced against the darker pillars of the building and roof tiles. Hard rock and stone is in harmony with the softness of the plant flowers and foliage, perfect balance of yin and yang. Lattice windows which are all of a different and unique design let in light and extend the feeling of the garden.
A great variety of plants used in the garden were all sourced from the local tree nurseries. Different varieties of Bamboo can be found growing around the garden in groves or have been artfully planted to set off a feature window or rock. Among other plants growing are, Azalea's, Rhododendrons, Viburnums, Pieris jap., Dogwood Trees, Willows, Pines, Cypress, Magnolia's, Evergreen Magnolia's, Empress Trees, Flowering Plums, Maple and Japanese Maple Trees.
Thank YouMaureen FrostFrost Nurseryemail [email protected]
