The bases for a classic Lingnan (Cantonese) garden are in place with a pavilion, lotus pond, waterfall, and bamboo plants in the second phase of Xiangshan Lake Park, which will be ready before Chinese New Year on Jan 25, 2020.

Boardwalks connect the 110,000-sq-m (27-acre) new attraction in New Xiangzhou to the first phase. Visitors will enter the Lingnan garden via a hexagonal double-eave pavilion and then step onto a 1-km (1,094-yd) long winding boardwalk. The park is located off Jianmin Road north of West Meihua Road and east of Zhuhai Number 1 High School.

Park-goers will immediately encounter a lush eaglewood, delonix regia, musa basjoo, and bamboo forest, all naturally grown on Fenghuang Mt and nurtured by professional gardeners.

Rendering of Lingnan courtyard entrance

A waterfall winds down the mountain to green waters upon which the mountain is reflected.

Next, arch bridges will be erected across the corridor-encircled lake, which will become a pond with lotus flowers in summer and reed marshes during the autumn season. Forty percent of the landscaping has been completed with original features carefully preserved. 

A Lingnan garden is created in the mode of Cantonese culture, bringing together commerce, pragmatism, and openness to foreign ideas. They are noted for waterfalls, courtyards, bridges, spreading stones, sculptures, blue-green contrasts, natural landscape, and plants for all seasons. 

The first phase opened in January. Encircled by a 2,400-m (1.5-mile) track, it has a tourist service center, bicycle lane and footpath, lotus pond, covered corridor, entertainment-oriented docks, restaurants, and bars.

Lingnan-styled garden

Blue-green pond environs [Photos by Chen Ying & Du Zipeng / Zhuhai Daily]