New film captures Guangzhou's award-winning garden legacy

A new promotional film for Fanghua Garden (芳华园), a classical Lingnan-style garden located in the Canton Orchid Garden in Guangzhou, has premiered globally, highlighting both the garden's artistic heritage and its historical role in China's cultural exchanges with Europe.

The film employs visual storytelling to showcase the garden's delicate layout, traditional craftsmanship, and interplay of light and shadow.

Fanghua Garden first gained global recognition after representing China at the IGA Expo 1983 Munich (IGA83). Constructed on a compact 540-square-meter plot, the garden combines the elegance of Jiangnan landscapes with the openness of Lingnan design, using water features and winding paths to create a sense of expansive space. It won two gold awards at the expo, including the top prize from the German federal government, and attracted over eight million visitors during its 180-day exhibition, becoming the first Chinese garden to win top honors at a major international horticultural exhibition.

Preparing the garden for Munich was a significant undertaking. A total of 98 tonnes of building materials, including glazed tiles, carved Chaozhou woodwork, and ceramic screens, were shipped from Guangzhou to Munich in 728 crates. Dozens of plants underwent strict quarantine before being sent by airfreight. An eight-member team of artisans spent 34 days assembling the garden on-site, impressing German officials with their skill and precision.

The original garden remains preserved in the Canton Orchid Garden in Guangzhou, where it continues to attract visitors. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining historical authenticity, using traditional techniques for tasks like replacing glazed tiles or repairing wood carvings, while carefully integrating modern ecological methods.