Yueryuan Garden in Dali City

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Yuer Garden Scenic Area (玉洱园风景区) is located on the north side of the mid-section of Yuer Road (玉洱路) in Dali Ancient Town (大理古城), covering an area of 28 mu. Its original site was the Dali Agricultural and Forestry Experimental Station (大理农林试验场) during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, it was rebuilt as Zhidan Park (志丹公园), and after the liberation, it became a fruit and tree nursery base for the forestry department.

Historically, Dali Ancient Town (大理古城) had several gardens, such as Moyou Garden (默游园), Wu Family Garden (吴家花园), and Yang Family Garden (杨家花园). The tradition of cultivating flowers here was mentioned by Li Yuanyang (李元阳) of the Ming Dynasty in his poem Ode to the Wu Family Garden (《咏吴家花园》).

Architectural Features and Layout

Yuer Garden integrates the architectural characteristics of the Bai ethnic group. Its exterior features include a Bai-style gatehouse with upturned eaves, an elegant and delicate three-sided screen wall, and painted enclosing walls. Inside, the garden centers around Bai-style flower terraces in various shapes, inlaid with stone, and planted with Dali’s famous flowers and exotic plants. There are also facilities such as an elderly activity area, teahouse, memorial pavilion, stone archway, and pond, forming a garden full of the charm of traditional gardens in Dali Ancient Town (大理古城).

Dali is famous for its marble and the ancient practice of large stone worship. Thus, the garden’s decorations are also mainly stone-based, with attractions such as Dashi An (大石庵), Beauty Stone (美人石), Stone Ox (石牛), and Stone Horse Well (石马井). Stone-paved paths, low stone walls, and stone lamp bases emphasize a natural style unique to the garden.

Floral Zones and Cultural Elements

The garden is divided into seven plant zones: camellia, cherry blossom, peony, rhododendron, plum blossom, Chinese rose, and bamboo grove. To enhance its cultural atmosphere, literary figures and calligraphers were invited to inscribe poems, couplets, and paintings, adding refined artistic touches to the garden.