The Dr. Sun Yat-sen Classical Chinese Garden
The Bridging of Western and Eastern Cultures
Apr 10, 2009
The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is the jewel of Vancouver’s Chinatown, and is not only a tourist attraction, but also not-for-profit organization with the mandate to maintain and enhance the bridge of understanding between Chinese and Western cultures was built between 1985 and 1986.
Authentic Portrayal of a Chinese Garden
The first of its kind outside of China, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, is an authentic portrayal Chinese garden tradition so renowned for during the Ming Dynasty. A private space within a Ming scholar’s residence, the Chinese Garden is a replica of where Ming dynasty scholars, the elite of their time, lived and worked during their retreats and quiet moments for contemplation.
Like every classical Chinese garden during and after the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the design of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden is based on the harmony of four main elements of rock, water, plants, and architecture.
From China to Canada
Because the purpose of the Garden was to join the Chinese and Canadian experiences, funding for the Garden came from not only all levels of Canadian government, but also from the Chinese government on the People’s Republic of China (PRC). What is most fascinating is that to replicate the authenticity of a classical Chinese garden, the construction of the building was done in China using the time honored principles and techniques of the original Ming dynasty garden and shipped over to Vancouver and pieced back together.
Ancient Master Artistry
Fifty-two master craftsmen from Suzhou China stayed in Chinatown lodging, and working with fellow Canadian artisans, completed the landscape masterpiece within a year. Using an ancient joinery method called mortise and tenon, the intricate halls and walkways were constructed with precise joinery and without a single use of a nail, screw or glue. Even the materials are completely authentic as four types of wood – nan, gingko, Chinese fir, and camphor – are produced in China and are no longer exported from China.
Scenic Points
Although the Garden is not large, it is constructed so that the audience is presented with a series of vistas that unfold like a scroll painting. A tour is usually forty-five minutes in duration, covering eight main scenic points:
- China Maple Hall – A reception hall that symbolizes the union between China and Canada
- Main Courtyard – Unfolds with scenic views that invites all the five human senses
- Double Corridor – a zig-zag corridor that encompasses history and philosophy
- Jade Water Pavilion – Offers the splendid view of the jade coloured water overlooking a traditional Chinese baluster
- Lookout and Moongate – Visitors can observe the entire Garden from this one area
- South West Corner – A deliberate contrast to the rest of the Garden, this space is the male section of the courtyard
- Scholar’s Study and Courtyard – The private domain was where the Scholar worked and only those closest to him were invited inside
- Hall of the Hundred Rivers – The newest section of the Garden, the Hall is a metaphor for the many visitors who come from all over the world.
The Dr. Sun Yat-sen Classical Chinese Garden is an exemplar of Canadian multiculturalism and the city of Vancouver’s strive for ethnic diversity. The Garden is heavily visited at most times, particularly during the summer tourist season, and is cherished by people from all directions – the architect, the botanist, the student of history, and certainly, the admirer of aesthetics.
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