A Decade of Garden Making · Mountains, Waters and Bamboos
A Contemporary Art Space & Garden
On the banks of the Qingyi River, facing Huaixian Pavilion across Taohua Pond, tradition and contemporary art blend poetically here. Nestled in the southern Anhui landscapes once wandered by the poet immortal Li Bai, Mountains, Waters and Bamboos Art Space lies hidden in seclusion.
For ten years, contemporary artist Mr. Li has taken the landscapes of southern Anhui as his canvas, and traditional and modern art as his brushes, crafting this private garden and artistic creation sanctuary. Every inch of this space tells a cross-temporal cultural dialogue between past and present.
Tracing Origins: A Homecoming Promise Six Centuries Later
Though not a native of southern Anhui, my ancestors migrated north from this land six hundred years ago. Yet the innate bond with southern Anhui’s mountains and rivers has never faded through generations. A decade ago, I came here to sketch and chanced upon a hidden paradise on the east bank of the Qingyi River by Taohua Pond: a hundred steps from the ancient street, overlooking the river, serene amid bustle, as if echoing the ancient folk songs sung to bid Li Bai farewell a thousand years ago.
Following the stream, I lost track of distance. Suddenly I came upon a peach blossom forest, hundreds of paces along the bank, with no other trees among fragrant fresh grass and scattered blooming petals.
The idyllic Peach Blossom Land depicted by Tao Yuanming materialized right here. Guided by an unseen destiny, I resolved to preserve this landscape and fulfill my long-cherished yearning for the Jiangnan region.
Artistic Integration: A Poetic Dialogue Between Tradition and Modernity
The garden dream began on paper. I wandered through ancient villages across southern Anhui to study the essence of Hui-style architecture, traveled afar to experience the wabi-sabi beauty of Japanese dry landscape gardens, and immersed myself in the artistic conception of landscape paintings from the Song and Yuan dynasties.
Eventually, I merged the white-walled black-tiled aesthetics and winding scenic layouts of Hui-style gardens with Japanese teahouse culture and dry landscape philosophy. It retains the poetic charm of southern Anhui’s natural scenery while endowing the space with avant-garde contemporary artistic expression.
Adhering to the gardening philosophy — "Made by human hands, yet appearing crafted by nature" — the compound meets daily living, reception, leisure and creative needs, and bridges tradition and modernity through artistic design. Two century-old ancient buildings form the soul of the garden. On the basis of protective restoration, contemporary artistic elements are infused: the traditional one-hall two-wing structure is renovated into loft exhibition halls, studies, studios, and a whisky & cigar lounge. Delicate patterned windows, wood carvings and stone carvings preserve ancient charm, paired with minimalist lines and understated wabi-sabi aesthetics.
Ten Years of Perseverance: Rebuilding a Spiritual Retreat Amid Mountains and Waters
Garden construction was fraught with hardships. Upholding three non-negotiable principles — front river views, secluded tranquility, and pedestrian-only access — construction costs multiplied and construction difficulty exceeded all expectations. All building materials, furniture, appliances and artworks had to be carried manually by porters. Even a single large tree or stone sculpture required the combined strength of seven to ten workers. I joined the construction in person, hauling stones and timber alongside laborers. Such perseverance stems from my deep love for southern Anhui’s landscapes, sustained by a robust physique honed through years of football.
The rooftop infinity pool posed the greatest construction challenge. Constrained by the narrow terrain, we erected a 30-meter-high platform along the river, combining mechanical lifting and manual transportation to complete one-piece concrete pouring through nonstop overtime work. Over ten years, I traveled across southern Anhui to collect ancient architectural components, brick, wood and stone carvings, transforming the garden into a landscape museum integrating nature, humanities, folk customs and contemporary art.
Open Sharing: Let Art Merge With Daily Life
More than a private retreat, Mountains, Waters and Bamboos is an open art space. I aspire for visitors to perceive, experience and create art here. To this end, we regularly host painting exhibitions, calligraphy salons, international academic exchanges and other events, sharing the garden’s design philosophy and creative journey with guests.
Renowned French photographer Alain commented:
"This place reveals the boundless potential of southern Anhui’s landscape culture and the allure of contemporary art. Here, tradition and modernity, nature and humanity, art and life merge seamlessly into a unique artistic realm."
Emotions Rooted in Landscapes: Gardening as Self-Cultivation
Ten years of garden making is a tribute to southern Anhui’s cultural heritage, and a journey of inner exploration. As Ji Cheng, the renowned Ming-dynasty garden designer, wrote in The Craft of Gardens: "To build a garden is to cultivate one’s heart."
Mountains, Waters and Bamboos embodies my obsession with southern Anhui’s scenery, admiration for Hui-style architecture, and reverence for nature. It offers me a spiritual sanctuary — free from noisy distractions and tedious official duties.
At dusk, sitting alone in the garden with fine wine, a pipe and a book, I watch rosy clouds dance with wild ducks, and distant waters merge into the boundless sky. Fishing boats sing at sunset, bringing ultimate peace and contentment.
The toils and perseverance of ten years bloom into fruitful beauty. The green mountains and clear waters before my eyes become an endless source of creative inspiration, inspiring profound reflections on life:
Life itself is a bittersweet spiritual journey. Only through persistence and dedication can we create works with warmth and soul.
I conclude this writing with an original ci poem:
Butterfly Love Flowers · Ode to Taohua Pond
Qingyi River winds, Jade Screen Mountain stands;
Misty drizzle, thick fog, crimson railings in grace.
White egrets glide, cobblestones line the land;
Jade hairpins and spiral hills adorn Taohua Pond.
Clouds drift toward the horizon with lingering will;
Leading me to this peaceful dwelling hill.
I read elegant verses, scrolls unconfined,
Roam a thousand miles of rivers and hills,
Caring not for imperial power or grand thrills.
Leaning on a small boat, I wander free;
Sitting with wine, I toast in glee.
Through miles of wind and moon I stride,
All landscapes dwell within my garden’s view, purified.
"我是一個對民宿文化痴迷的博主對發現有特色有品質的民宿必須體驗[微笑]這兩天無意發現山水有竹,對於我這個資宿客來講這家懇定是新開不久不然我不會才發現,看到其設計理念,佈置的調性便知此處可行鈍升探店慾望於是預約了房間開啟説走就走的旅行🧳看了地圖位置,南京過去也不遠正好兩天來回時間也很充裕。懷着好奇與新鮮和期待,今天終於可以岀發了,吃過早飯一路順暢車子行駛兩個多小時前就要下高速了,之後又轉過一道道山坳眼睛被如畫江面所以吸引山黛色山影裏忽然跳出一抹暖黃那是藏在弋江邊的課本里的古詩意境:桃花潭——我似乎又走進了課本里來追尋攜程上發現密境之地——山水有竹,我的心瞬間就軟了下來。
🌫️ 如詩如畫的江畔仙境
推開吱呀作響的木門,首先映入眼簾的是一片開闊的庭園,紅楓樹、古石雕、建築連廊、白石橋和江風裹挾着濕潤的水汽撲面而來。遠處的羣山在雲霧中若隱若現,像是一幅暈染開的水墨畫;近處的江水波光粼粼,偶爾有白鷺掠過水麪,驚起一圈圈漣漪。
我的房間在二樓,房間名叫淺山,正應了這山水意境又露着主人的含蓄。推開門的瞬間就被驚艷到了,整面牆的落地窗正對着青弋江,白色與咖啡色格窗簾首先打動了我挑剔的眼睛白色麻莎在風中輕輕搖曳,彷彿置身於雲霧仙境。房間裏的佈置美式簡約又帶藝術家歐美鄉村的懷舊格調,原木色的傢俱搭配着棉麻質感的床品,光線透過窗户灑在地板上,留下斑駁的光影。最讓我驚喜的是寬大露台的躺椅,坐在上面喝荼放鬆坐擁青弋江景延棉的山彎、聽江聲,連時間都慢了下來。
清晨是民宿最美的時候,江面上瀰漫著一層薄霧,像是給青弋江披上了一層輕紗。太陽從山後緩緩升起,金色的陽光穿透薄霧灑在江面上,波光粼粼的江水瞬間變不知天上人間。此時坐在露台上喝茶,看遊船在江面上穿梭,聽鳥兒在枝頭歌唱,彷彿置身於人間仙境。
🎨 浸潤在細節裏的文化藝術
民宿的主人是一對藝術家夫婦,他們把對生活的熱愛和對藝術的理解融入到了每一個細節裏。徽州古建築大廳的書架上擺着時尚雜誌在木質牆板上掛着主人自己畫的油畫作品筆墨間盡是現代與古典的結合、碰撞,房間裏的枱燈、現代雕塑、古代竹編藝術品在暖黃的燈光透過竹縫灑下來,在牆上投下斑駁的光影。
最讓我驚喜的是民宿的公共空間,這裏擺放着主人收藏的各種藝術品,有陶瓷、雕塑、油畫,古代的現代交相輝映,每一件都有自己的故事。主人説:這些藝術品都是我們從世界各地收集來的,每一件都承載着我們的回憶和情感。在這裏,我不僅感受到了藝術的魅力,更感受到了主人對生活的熱愛和對文化的尊重,在裊裊茶與咖啡香中,讓我感受到了現代文明與傳統文化的博大精深。這裏原來還是一座帶有日式與中式的庭院結合園林建築,書院、禪房、茶室和休閑咖啡廳、畫廊,威士忌酒巴、桌球,最讓我住足的是錦鯉池邊,又鮮花環抱又有松塔倒影好不愜意!
❤️ 藏在細節裏的用心與温暖
民宿的主人非常用心,從入住的那一刻起,我就感受到了他們對待生活態度,雖然他們不是專業的民宿主理人但是你能感受到他們的真誠與熱情❤️讓你無時無刻不感受到主人的用心與品味!早餐更是讓我驚艷到了[調皮]沒想到主人的一手好廚藝,自製麪包、香煎三文魚🍣蝦的味道非養殖可比🦐原來主人在我到來之前就為我準備食材了,瓶裝水都是法國的🇫🇷依雲和泰像蘇打水。就餐後聽主人介紹説:連做麪包的麪粉都日本進口。早餐的豐盛讓我的味蕾得到意外滿足,餐後咖啡☕️更是讓我為之一振,沒想到主人對咖啡如此挑剔,打聽才知道主人是個資深咖迷對豆子有着不尋常人擇選,主人説他們的咖啡豆都是從日本帶回來與客人分享的,真是用心良苦啊!在主人推薦下我品嚐了一杯日曬發酵豆🫘果然調調瞬間拉滿,味蕾的享受更是提升了我對這裏的迷戀,濃郁咖啡香
中
享受了美味可口的廚藝。和主人談心中竟然忘了到景區走走的計劃。[呲牙]得知主人夫婦在此處除了藝術創作之餘,女主人最鍾愛養花🌹,從她園子裏種滿花草和對種類的盡乎苛刻的篩選便可得知女主人其
專業和審美素養非同一般!
好👌不多説了剩下的還是留其他宿人自己體驗吧[呲牙]此行不僅暖了我的心,滿足了胃更讓我意想不到的是那一刻的驚喜,原來深藏於大山深處的祕境小鎮竟有如此讓我資深宿迷留連忘返的感覺不多見!難怪唐有李白乘舟不遠千里來此神遊,我現在似乎理解詩人心境[呲牙]山水有竹藝術民宿——雖不是傳統化,標準化的酒店,但它既有五星的品質同時更是一個充滿人情,文化、藝術、與主人品味的博物館。
離開時主人遞給我一袋民宿紀念禮物,希望你能喜歡。 車子駛出很遠,來時心急沒想停沒停的地方細雨中我回頭望去,那抹暖黃的燈光還在江邊亮着,像是畫下一個心裏座標。
原來最好的旅行,可以是打卡並不一定參觀景區而是找到一個能讓心靈棲息的地方。而這家臨江園子,就是這樣一個充滿詩意與文化不失煙火氣的祕境,它用如畫的風景和浸潤在每處的文化、藝術🎨藏在細節裏的用心與温暖,編織了一場關於夢裡老家的尋找意境![太陽]咖迷對豆子有着不尋常人擇選,主人説他們的咖啡豆都是從日本帶回來與客人分享的真是用良苦啊!在主人推薦下我品償了一杯日曬發孝豆🫘果然調調舜間拉滿,味蕾的享受更是提升對這裏迷戀,濃郁咖啡香中享受了美味可口的廚藝。和主談心中境然忘了到景區走走的計劃[呲牙]得知主人夫婦在此處除了藝術創作之餘女主人最愛的養花🌹從他園子裏的種滿花草和對種類的盡乎柯克的篩選便可得知女主人其專業和審美素養非同一般!
好👌不多説了剩下的還是留其他宿人自己體驗吧[呲牙]此行不僅暖了我的心,滿足了胃更讓我意想不到的是那一刻的驚喜,原來深藏於大山深處的祕境小鎮竟有如此讓我資深宿迷留連忘返的感覺不多見!難怪唐有李白乘舟不遠千里來此神遊我現在似乎理解詩人心境[呲牙]山水有竹藝術民宿——雖不是傳統化,標準化的酒店,但它既有五星的品質同時更是一個充滿人情,文化、藝術、與主人品味的博物館。
離開時主人遞給我一袋民宿紀念禮物,希望你能喜歡。 車子駛出很遠,細雨中我回頭望去,那抹暖黃的燈光還在江邊亮着,像是畫下一個心裏座標期待下次再來。
原來最好的旅行,可以是打卡並不一定參觀景區,而是找到一個能讓心靈棲息的地方。而這家臨江園子,就是這樣一個充滿詩意與文化不失煙火氣的祕境,它用如畫的風景和浸潤在每處的文化、藝術🎨藏在細節裏的用心與温暖,編織了一場關於夢裡老家的尋找意境![太陽]"