A Rainy Visit to Ouyuan Garden - The Ming and Qing Dynasty Remnants Between Blue Tiles and Red Silk

The drizzle keeps falling, casting a gray and gloomy atmosphere over the ancient city of Qingzhou. The vermilion gate of Ouyuan Garden appears even more solid and steady amidst the rain. The gray-brown Xieshan-style roof of the garden gate is covered with fish-scale tiles, with raindrops stringing down the eaves like beaded curtains, painting an ink-wash scene for this eastern garden of the Ming Dynasty Prince Heng’s Mansion. Below the plaque inscribed with "Ouyuan," the red silk and palace lanterns reflect each other, like a striking touch of rouge in an ink painting, injecting a hint of warmth into the ancient architecture. Two weathered stone lion pedestals crouching before the steps bear witness to over three centuries of time and hardship. The couplet on the black lacquered pillars, "Leaning on the peak to form a pavilion, water accumulates into a pond opening a wondrous realm; stacking stones into mountains, guiding springs into waterfalls, surpassing heavenly craftsmanship," fully expresses the creator’s craftsmanship: "Though made by man, it seems naturally created by heaven." Passing through the gate, the sound of rain is filtered by the blue tiles into a delicate whisper. The entire Ouyuan Garden focuses on its unique stones, especially the four treasures named "Fu, Shou, Kang, Ning" (Blessing, Longevity, Health, Peace). The Taihu stone piled rockery and winding secluded paths, paired with ponds flowing with spring water, exquisitely display a Jiangnan-style classical garden charm before visitors. The rain grows heavier, and at this moment, Ouyuan Garden is both a frozen poem and painting, and a flowing passage of time. As I walk out of the garden gate, listening to the pattering of raindrops on the blue tiles, I look up at the red silk palace lanterns, which emit a faint warm red glow through the mist and rain. A gentle breeze stirs the flowing ribbons of red silk, gracefully swaying and smiling knowingly at me: "Welcome, dear guest, come again next time!" Address: No. 197 Ouyuan Street, South City, Qingzhou, Weifang City, Shandong Province Admission: 20 RMB per adult Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM