The ancient pavilion

By Cheng Anqi (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-06-29 10:30

Taoran Pavilion Park, located in southern Beijing and built in 1952, is the capital's oldest modern garden, and features architectural styles drawn from various dynasties.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Taoran Pavilion was a popular meeting place for poets and writers.

The Yaotai Teahouse sits in the northern part of the park. Originally a temple of Yaoshen (God of Yao), it was converted into a teahouse during the reign of Emperor Kangxi.

As the Qing Dynasty began to decline, many noblemen and aristocrats made special visits to the teahouse, disguised as beggars.

These aristocrats were aware that their luxurious lifestyles were drawing to a close, and came to the secluded teahouse for a foretaste of the common man's life.

In the early days, the Taoran Pavilion was covered with tombs. Anyone could be buried there, even birds.

A story goes that Empress Dowager Cixi ordered that her beloved pet parrots be entombed in the park.

But unfortunately, when she died in 1908, the parrots got passed on from one person to another and were eventually raised in Zhongshan Park, where they received terrible treatment compared to their previous luxurious life.

There used to be an ancient well in the southeastern part of the park which has now made way for a hotel.

It is said that a Dragon King lived under the well and loved showing up every now and again.