Traveling through the Hanxiang Shui Expo Garden

The Hanxiang Shui Expo Garden is located in the southwest of Maqiao Town, Minhang District, bordering the Huangpu River to the south and Songjiang to the west, separated by a stream called Nü'er Jing. It is named 'Hanxiang', and indeed, it has some connection with Han Xiangzi, one of the Eight Immortals. This place was originally called Han Cang, and legend has it that Han Xiangzi once lived here. As to the veracity of this tale, no one has really verified it; in stories, what is said to be true is true, and what is not is also true. However, although the water expo garden was built only more than 20 years ago, its layout and architecture do indeed possess some ancient charm. The uniqueness of the water expo garden lies in its bridges. They are both characteristic and can be considered unparalleled. There are more than 20 ancient bridges built during the Ming and Qing dynasties in the garden, with one every twenty or thirty steps, and in some places, bridges are connected one after another. There are stone arch bridges with hunched shoulders, delicate stone slab bridges, as well as exquisitely small brick bridges and little wooden bridges with painted railings, forming a group of ancient bridges of great ornamental and research value, adding a sense of historical depth and the cultural charm of the Jiangnan water towns to the museum. Among these stone bridges, there is the Xingshi Bridge, which was moved from the banks of the Grand Canal and was originally built during the Yongzheng era; the Longfeng Bridge, which was moved from the countryside of Zhejiang and was originally built in the eleventh year of Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty (1378); the Xiaohuan Bridge, which was built in the seventh year of Qianlong (1742); and the Daiji Bridge, which was built in the second year of Jiaqing (1797). Each bridge has its own story. Walking over different bridges, one feels different emotions. Of course, in addition to bridges, there are ancient trees nearly a thousand years old, and there are also legends of Han Xiangzi. Strolling leisurely through the Hanxiang Shui Cultural Expo Garden, one is surrounded by lush bamboo, weeping willows, towering ancient trees, and elegant and unique pavilions and terraces, feeling as if one is in a Suzhou garden. A clear and winding stream flows through the garden, adding a sense of tranquility and vitality to the quiet atmosphere. Hanxiang Shui Expo Garden