The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

T first -sized classical Chinese garden outside China. I located China g downtown Vancouver.

T D. S Y-S Classical Chinese Garden first - Chinese "scholars" garden built outside China, located Chinatown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I located 578 Carrall Street consists freely accessible public p garden admission . T mandate garden “maintain enhance bridge understanding between Chinese western cultures, promote Chinese culture generally integral p local community.”

T garden built 1985-1986. T outer p designed y architects J W Donald Vaughan, while inner garden conceived y Wg Z-X chief architect, p experts Landscape Architecture Company Suzhou, China. Funding project Chinese Canadian governments, local Chinese community, other public private sector sources, opened April 24, 1986, Exp 86.

Because climate Vancouver similar Suzhou, y plant varieties found garden Suzhou counterparts. T plants chosen according their blossom schedules order emphasize seasonal changes, especially “awakening” spring. Ty selected invoke symbolic, historical, literary meaning plant sparingly, contrast western gardens, provide colour through seasons.

Classical Chinese gardens employ philosophical principles Fg S Taoism, striving achieve harmony balance opposites. Craggy rocks, example, juxtaposed against delicate foliage. Water important element garden, large p offers stillness, sound, reflection y, helps unify other elements. F turtles garden serve symbolic purpose. Bats, dragons, phoenixes represented objects throughout garden. Numerous large rocks strategically placed intended represent mountains concealing revealing p elements.

T garden named honour D. S Y-S, nationalist leader considered “father modern China.” T attribution arbitrary, emphasizes connection Vancouver. While traveling world raise awareness , funding , Chinese nationalist movement, S Y-S stayed Vancouver three different occasions extended periods. A time, there significant presence Chinese nationalists British Columbia, helped finance Chinese nationalist revolution overthrew Qg Dynasty 1911. S Y S subsequently became first president China.