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History of Chinese and Japanese Gardens

Built in 1975, the Chinese Garden is modeled along the northern Chinese imperial style of architecture and landscaping. Designed by Prof. Yuen-chen Yu, a well-known architect from Taiwan. In close proximity is the Japanese Gardens.

In the art of Chinese gardens, bridges play an important role. The 'Pai Hung Chiao' (the white rainbow, 13-Arch Bridge) at the Garden follows the style of the 17-Arch Bridge at the Summer Palace in Peking.

In ancient times, the pagoda, originally a simple tower located beside a temple, was used for the keeping of human bones by Buddhists. Later, with improvements in architectural skills, incorporated with the traditional art of building, the pagoda was developed into a structure of striking architectural beauty. The 'Ru Yun ta' (7-storey pagoda) is situated on a small hill in the Chinese Garden. Its typical pagoda design follows the style of Ling Ku Temple Pagoda at Nanking.

Bonsai Garden opened in June 1992, the Suzhou-style Bonsai Garden cost an estimated S$3.8 million to build. This 5,800 sq metres garden with Suzhou-style buildings (incorporating a main hall of 50 sq metres) and landscape houses a collection of some 1,000 bonsai's imported mostly from China.