The Ke Garden in Dongguan is a Lingnan garden worth visiting

The Ke Garden in Dongguan is a Lingnan garden worth visiting, located in the mother city of Dongguan, that is, the old town area of Dongguan old county town—Guancheng. This is one of the four famous gardens in Lingnan (the other three are Yuyin Mountain House in Panyu, Qinghui Garden in Shunde, and Liang Garden in Foshan), and it is currently a key national cultural relic protection unit. If Dongguan is a 24-hour busy, slightly cold world factory, then this exquisite water town garden injects a touch of slowness and a strand of warmth into this big city. Ke Garden was built in the 30th year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1850), and the owner was Zhang Jingxiu, a Dongguan native who had been an official in Xunzhou (now Guiping City) in Guangxi. Due to disagreements in political views with his partner, he returned to his hometown in Dongguan and built this garden. Although the garden owner Zhang Jingxiu was a military general, he was proficient in all arts including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. After returning home, Zhang Jingxiu devoted himself to creating the garden. He originally wanted to name it 'Yi Garden' meaning 'satisfactory,' but found it too direct. The name 'Ke Garden' came from a guest's casual response 'Ke Yi' (meaning 'can'), implying the meanings of 'can do,' 'pleasant,' and 'indifferent.' Later, the two founders of the Lingnan School of Painting—Ju Lian and Ju Chao—also came here. As Zhang Jingxiu's staff, they lived here for ten years, painting and perfecting the techniques of boneless painting, water collision, and powder collision in flower and bird painting, further enhancing the reputation of Ke Garden. Although Ke Garden is not large, it is worth savoring in detail. On a land of three acres, there are pavilions, towers, bridges, and halls, all complete. The rich vegetation, hollowed-out flower tiles, windows made of oyster shells, and floor tiles with exquisite patterns are all worth seeing. After touring the first floor, you can also go up to the second floor for a walk, and even to the third floor to overlook the entire garden. It can be said that although Ke Garden is small, it has all the necessary features. Everywhere you look, there are framed views and borrowed scenery, winding paths leading to secluded spots, and changing vistas with every step, which is very interesting. I wandered here for 45 minutes and still felt it was not enough. If you have enough time, I suggest you come before sunset in the afternoon. The setting sun casts a beautiful and tranquil light on the courtyard and walls, as if time itself has slowed down. Ticket price: 8 yuan Opening hours: Normally from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (during summer and winter vacations from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm), ticket checking stops at 5 pm