Dongguan Garden

Stretching along the Yalu River on the eastern outskirts of Changbai County, Dongguan Garden covers a total area of 8,400 square metres. It is a comprehensive riverside strip park.

Bordering the eastern urban district on the west and facing the Yalu River on the east, the garden features an original layout and distinctive decorations. Like a colourful ribbon woven with magnificent mountain and river scenery, it links varied garden buildings into a delightful picturesque scene, standing out as an extraordinary gem among local landscapes.

Centred around the Integrity Square and White Jade Terrace and set against riverside views, Dongguan Garden is a well-crafted cultural scenic spot.

The Integrity Square was completed at the main entrance of Dongguan Garden in 2013, with a striking Integrity Stele standing in its centre. On the front of the stele pavilion is a couplet inscribed in both Chinese and Korean. Upper scroll: Be virtuous and upright like green mountains; integrity shines as bright as sun and moon. Lower scroll: Be faithful as flowing rivers; prosperity for the border stands the test of time. Horizontal scroll: Integrity is the foundation.

The couplet perfectly reflects the profound traditional culture and honest, simple folk customs of Changbai.

Facing the Integrity Square across the road, the White Jade Terrace serves as the highest viewpoint of the whole garden. Constructed following the natural terrain, it boasts an exquisite structure divided into upper and lower levels. The railings, pavilion pillars and the upper Double Crane Pavilion are all elaborately carved from white marble, symbolizing purity and firmness of character.

Seen from afar, the terrace resembles a huge white ship mooring quietly in a green harbour. Leaning on the railings, visitors can enjoy the border scenery on both river banks. The clear mountains and limpid water evoke the poetic line: Ripples stir amid floating clouds; shadows drift across blue waves.

Stretching one kilometre from north to south, the Riverside Scenic Zone sits on the main road leading into the county seat. Making full use of three headlands along the Yalu River, four uniquely shaped pavilions have been built: Jingxiu Pavilion, Mushroom Pavilion, River-view Pavilion and Kuai Zai Pavilion. Green pines, weeping willows and Beijing peach trees are planted along the road, creating a vibrant spring scene of pink blossoms and green willows for visitors to appreciate the riverside views.