Zhongshan Park, the first imperial garden opened to the public, will celebrate its 110th anniversary this autumn. This historic park marks the beginning of modern park development in Beijing, paving the way for the opening of other famous parks like Beihai Park and the Summer Palace.

With over a century of service, Zhongshan Park embodies the ideal of a public park. From a former imperial altar to a vibrant community space, it has become a beloved urban oasis where generations of landscape architects have woven stories of heritage and innovation.

First public park in Beijing

Today, home to 1,065 parks scattered like stars throughout the city, most of which are free to enter, Beijing is often referred to as the "City of a Thousand Parks," and rightfully so. Visiting parks has become an integral part of daily life for residents.

Rewind to the early 20th century, and this seemed unimaginable. While China has a long and rich history of gardening, both royal and private gardens were exclusive spaces, inaccessible to the general public. For ordinary citizens, enjoying the beauty of these gardens was nothing short of a dream.

In 1913, Zhu Qiqian, then the Chief of Internal Affairs of the Beiyang Government, visited the Altar of Land and Grain (Shejitan) and was struck by its overgrown and neglected state. Inspired by the potential of transforming this royal altar into a public park, he rallied support for this initiative. The Altar, built in 1420 for imperial sacrifices, was a symbol of exclusivity, making its opening to the public a significant shift.

On October 10, 1914, Zhongshan Park (then called Central Park) opened its gates. At the time, the admission price was similar to the cost of several eggs—an expense that felt extravagant for many struggling families. Nevertheless, the park's first day saw a flood of visitors: families joyfully explored the new space. Historical records note, "Thousands of men and women strolled through, laughing and playing..."

Why were people so eager to visit the park? The introduction of Western leisure practices had just begun to take root in China, yet common citizens had limited recreational options. Suddenly, an imperial altar that was once inaccessible was now open, urging people to experience newfound freedoms and social change.

According to Zheng Xi, the dean of the School of Landscape Architecture at Beijing Forestry University, the significance of Zhongshan Park's opening extended beyond its gates; it inspired the opening of other royal gardens and temples.

Earlier attempts to open these spaces had been limited. For instance, Xiannongtan allowed public access for just ten days in early 1913, while the Summer Palace offered limited visits to select groups. These were valuable but insufficient steps toward truly public spaces.

The success of Zhongshan Park sparked widespread discussions and praise in the media, making the concept of public parks more accepted. With limited government funding, community leaders organized fundraising efforts that raised over 40,000 yuan in just six months, further bridging the gap between the royal past and the public present.

As attitudes shifted, more public parks emerged. In the years following 1915, Beihai Park, the Summer Palace, Jingshan Park, Prince Gong's Mansion, and others opened their doors to the public.

A blend of tradition and nature

As the research center director at Zhongshan Park, Gai Jianzhong notes, "The initial function of the Altar of Land and Grain was for sacrificial ceremonies, featuring important cultural heritage buildings. However, a public park must provide spaces for leisure, environmental beautification, and cultural exchange." To strike a balance, "building in harmony with the altar" became a guiding principle from the park's inception.

So, what does "building in harmony with the altar" mean? Simply put, it involves preserving the sacred atmosphere of the inner altar while enhancing the outer gardens with ponds, hills, pavilions, and flowers. Since 1915, Zhongshan Park has seen the addition of numerous scenic features, allowing the beauty of nature to flourish in a space once reserved for royalty.

Recently, local author Cui Daiyuan reminisced during a visit to Lai Jin Yu Xuan Tea House about his childhood days near Nanchizi. He recalled, "In early spring, the city was gray, but when we sneaked into Zhongshan Park, we were greeted by blooming flowers and fragrant fruits. Zhongshan Park hides Beijing's earliest spring."

For Cui, the magic of spring was found in the Tanghuawu Pavilion, also known as the Warm House. This advanced planting technique, known as "Tang Hua," literally "flowers of the Tang Dynasty", was historically reserved for the royal family and high officials.

In the Tanghuawu, Zhao Haihong, the leader of the park's horticultural team, explained, "Flowers using this technology are cultivated through artificial heating to encourage earlier blooming. The key is precision: if the heat is applied too late, the flowers won't bloom early; if too quickly, the quantity may be insufficient."

Zhongshan Park's traditional techniques primarily target flowering plants such as plum blossoms and peach trees, with a blooming period accuracy not exceeding two days. The horticultural team continues to innovate, striving to demonstrate their generation's value.

In early summer, managing flower blooming is challenging. After five years of experimentation, Zhao and his team successfully made wisteria bloom for the Spring Festival. Last year, one vine produced 60 flowers; this year, it doubled to 120. Recent innovations also include controlling the bloom periods of other flowers, bringing ongoing surprises to the citizens of Beijing.

Zhongshan Park is also famous for its orchids, with Huifang Garden located in the northwest corner dedicated to these exquisite flowers. Designed to resemble a southern Chinese garden, it is the largest orchid garden in China and features lush bamboo and winding paths. Inside, spring orchids, fragrant orchids, and other varieties bloom throughout the year.

Today, while there are countless places to enjoy flowers in Beijing, Zhongshan Park remains the most celebrated. Its tulip and plum blossom exhibitions are among the city's highlights.

In addition to flowers, the park is renowned for its goldfish, which was once a major attraction, originally managed by "Goldfish Xu," who raised fish for the royal family. Many rare breeds from the palace have since flourished in the park and spread their beauty far and wide.

A dynamic urban living room

Zhongshan Park may be modest in size, covering just 23.8 hectares, but to view it merely as a garden would be an understatement. For over a century, it has served as an urban living room, offering a blend of ecological, cultural, recreational, and commercial functions.

From its inception, the park featured amenities like a billiard room and a photography studio. To encourage physical activity, facilities such as a fitness center, children's playground, tennis courts, golf courses, and an ice rink were established. The Baidian (Zhongshan Hall) once served as a cinema before being repurposed in 1928, while the Shenku housed a health exhibition displaying various specimens and models to promote public health awareness.

Despite the variety of functions, the park maintains a consistent, elegant style. An important guideline established when Zhongshan Park was created emphasized a harmonious atmosphere: "Clear, strict, and joyful, true to elegance." This aesthetic has been preserved for over a century.

Fourteen years ago, the concept of "zero carbon" was still unfamiliar to many, yet Zhongshan Park hosted the city's first zero-carbon concert. One participant recalls the unique experience: no printed program, no bottled water, and no electric amplification. Each attendee's carbon footprint was tracked, and trees were planted to achieve carbon neutrality.

Why was this innovative concert held at Zhongshan Park? The answer is clear: the park's artistic vibe perfectly matched the event's ethos, and its reputation helped promote the zero-carbon concept. Since then, the city has hosted annual zero-carbon concerts, making eco-friendly living a fashionable lifestyle.

Every summer, Zhongshan Park comes alive with activity. For instance, this year, it hosted 64 performances over two months, featuring choirs, pop music, pipa performances, poetry readings, and Peking opera. As one parent shared, "My children, aged 3 to 11, visit Zhongshan Music Hall every summer. Initially, they watched children's plays and acrobatics, and now they are exploring poetry, folk music, and symphonies."

Currently, the park is running a nature education program called "Observing an Ancient Tree." Guided by staff, children explore the park and closely examine tree bark, leaves, and blossoms while recording soil conditions and vegetation types. Over the past year, similar programs have engaged nearly 70,000 visitors through more than 40 sessions focused on ancient trees.

If we liken Zhongshan Park to an urban living room, exhibitions represent its most refined aspect. More than a century ago, venues like Zhongshan Hall and Lai Jin Yu Xuan were popular spots for exhibitions. Historical records indicate that between 1915 and 1938, the park hosted no fewer than 1,500 exhibitions, often several times a week. Renowned artists like Zhang Daqian, Qi Baishi, and Xu Beihong exhibited their works here.

For contemporary artists, exhibiting at Zhongshan Park is a point of pride. Recently, an exhibition featuring floral-themed works from teachers at prestigious institutions like the Central Academy of Fine Arts was held. Not long after, the exhibition shifted themes to showcase the expressive Chinese paintings of Qi Baishi's fourth-generation descendants.

Translator: DING Zhizhong

Reviewer: BAI Jing