Zhongshan Park used to be the famous temporary palace of the Emperors of the Qing Dynasty, when Emperor Qianlong visited Hangzhou several times. In 1252 in the southern Song Dynasty(1127-1279), a grand palace was constructed on the southern slope of the Solitary Hill, half of which was built into an imperial garden. During the Qing Dynasty(16396-1911), a travel lodge was constructed to be used exclusively by Emperor Kangxi during his inspection tour of Hangzhou. Later, when Emperor Yongzheng assumed power, this place was transformed into Shengyin Temple, which became one of the four noted temples in Hangzhou together with Lingyin, Zhaoqing ,and Jingci Temples.
In 1927, it was transformed in part, into a public park called Zhongshan Park, or the Sun Yat-sen Park in memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen who led the Revolution of 1911, which toppled the Qing Dynasty. The Park combines woods, pavilions and terraces, small bridges over the running waters, and winding paths along the side of the Solitary Hill. The highlight of the park is the area of zigzag bridges, pools with their plants, as well as the pavilions, all designated as the “West Lake Heavenly Sight”. Here, artificial rocks are made to imitate different objects and human figures. Through manmade, they look most natural. The layout of these delicate rockeries, pavilions, zigzag bridges, fish ponds, trees and flowers is so special that it is widely acclaimed as a most elegant mini-garden which even the best in the world, can scarcely match.
