Daguan Park
(Grand View Park)
 Daguan
Park, located 7 kilometers west of Kunming, is known
for its longest antithetical couplet in China. First
built in 1682 by a monk, the park once served as a Guanyin
(Avalokistesvara's) Temple. In 1690, large-scale construction
was carried out with flowers, trees, ponds, causeways,
pavilions and halls added to it.
The park provides a spectacular
view across sparkling Dianchi Lake to the distant
Western Hills. Among the ancient architectures
in this park, the three-storey Daguan Pavilion,
which is decorated with flying eaves and splendid
paintings, is the highlight of Daguan Park.
On the pavilion's lakeside facade
hang two 5-meter-long tablets on which a couplet
was written by Sun Ranweng, a famous poet of the
Qing dynasty. Consisting of 180 Chinese characters,
this couplet is reputed as the longest couplet
throughout China. The upper scroll depicts the
beautiful scenery of Kunming, while the lower
scroll contains the author's comments on some
important historical events in Yunnan.
 Personal
feelings and beautiful sceneries mix together in this
couplet, adding more charm to this park. Standing on
the pavilion, people could have an overview of the park
and the sceneries nearby.
On every Mid-Autumn Festival
(Moon Cake Festival), as custom, Kunming locals
normally go to Daguan Park to enjoy flowers and
the full moon. Deeply immersed in thick moonlight,
the park looks more enchanting than ever.
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