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.
We offer tailor made packaged private Yunnan &
Kunming tour to Daguan Park, if
you are interested in visiting it, please contact us.
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