Europe's largest Chinese garden set to open

The centrepiece of what the RHS describes as Europe's largest and most authentic classical Chinese garden will open to visitors in Greater Manchester on Saturday after more than eight years in the making.

The Yangzhou Scholars' Garden at RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford is the result of a collaboration between organisations in China, the RHS and Greater Manchester's Chinese community.

Specialist craftspeople from China used traditional techniques "rarely seen outside China" to create the garden, the RHS said.

Marcus Chilton-Jones, head of RHS Garden Bridgewater, described it as a "lasting symbol of friendship, cultural exchange and shared learning."

More than 200 trees and 4000 perennials have been planted throughout the garden, chosen for their symbolism -with themes of good fortune, prosperity, health and love.

At the centre of the gardens are four interconnected pavilions, which surround a central courtyard and pond. Each pavilion is dedicated to one of the four traditional scholarly arts: chess, music, calligraphy and painting.

Mr Gerry Yeung, Chinese Streamside Garden Founding Committee member added: "This is a proud and historic moment for everyone who has helped bring this vision to life and the result of many years of dedication, generosity and shared ambition from people in both China and Greater Manchester.

"We hope visitors will enjoy discovering this special place and, through it, gain a deeper appreciation of the rich traditions, artistry and values that have inspired Chinese gardens for centuries."

Tracy Snell, RHS curator, said Chinese scholars' gardens were created as places to "slow down, reflect and reconnect with nature".

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