Ke Garden

Updated 2026-04-29

The birthplace of the Lingnan School of Painting and one of the Four Great Gardens of Guangdong

Capture d'écran 2026-04-29 161254.png

Nestled in the old alleys of Guancheng, Ke Garden or Keyuan is one of Guangdong's Four Great Classical Gardens , alongside Guangzhou's Yuyin Shanfang, Foshan's Liang Garden and Qinghui Garden.

Built (1847-1850) by Zhang Jingxiu 张敬修, a scholar-official who served as a provincial judge of Jiangxi, it was initially called Yiyuan (garden of deliberation) but later renamed Keyuan (meaning garden that is acceptable) reflecting the owner's humility and elegance.

Despite covering only 2,204 m², it manages to pack a breathtaking collection of pavilions, halls, artificial mountains, ponds, and covered corridors.

The Cradle of an Artistic Revolution

Keyuan is inseparable from the history of modern Chinese painting. After retiring from official life, Zhang Jingxiu invited the renowned painters Ju Chao 居巢 and Ju Lian 居廉 to live and work in the garden as his guests for 10 years (1855–1864).

During their residency the Ju brothers developed the water-impact & powder-impact techniques (撞水撞粉) which remains in adding water or white powder to wet color areas, to create works full of moisture and spontaneity. An innovation that shattered the rigid constraints of the court painting tradition and gave to Ke Garden an important role in art history as the birthplace of Lingnan School of Painting
ju yuqn.jpg
ju yuan.jpg
#### Masterpieces by Ju Yuan & Ju Chao, photo founded at muzhiart.com

### Opening Hours
Closed on Tuesdays
- 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
- Last entry at 5:00 pm
- Free Guided Tours at 10:30, 12:00 14:00, 15:30 & 16:30

### Nearby Attractions
- Dongguan Memory Historic District

More about Dongguan