[Video/Wuxi Lounge Bridge]
Liyuan Park, known as the Shangri-La of Wuxi, is one of the main attractions of the nationally designated Taihu Lake Scenic Area.
Surrounded by water on three sides, with distant green hills and waves lapping at the shore nearby, Liyuan Park presents different beautiful scenes in each season: peach blossoms and willows in spring, lotus flowers in summer, rippling waves in autumn, and artificial hills reflecting the lake's light in winter.
The architectural style within the park blends traditional Jiangnan characteristics with modern design elements, creating a unique harmony between tradition and modernity.
The history of Liyuan Park can be traced back to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907-960) when it was initially a private garden of the monarch of the Wuyue Kingdom, Qian Liu. It was renovated and expanded during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and peaked during the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong reign (1736-1796). The park's name comes from Lihu Lake (a part of Taihu Lake), with the Chinese character "蠡" derived from the abundant aquatic plants within the park.
Liyuan Park is also closely associated with the legendary figures of Fan Li and Xishi from the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC). According to legend, after Fan assisted King Gou Jian of the Yue Kingdom in defeating the Wu Kingdom, he and Xishi retired to Liyuan Park, where they boated on the lake, leaving many poignant legends that add romance and poetry to the park.
