RHS Garden Bridgewater is a true jewel in the crown of Manchester’s green spaces, and there has now been a beautiful, unique new addition. A collaboration between the RHS, the China Flower Association and the Yangzhou Classical Garden Construction Company, The Qing Yin Pavilion, AKA The Chinese Music Pavilion, is a classically designed and authentically built Chinese structure and a striking focal point in the Chinese Streamside Garden at RHS Bridgewater.
The pavilion was constructed using traditional Chinese craft techniques, materials and skills, by a group of seven specialist artisans from the Yangzhou Classical Garden Construction Company. The structure is made predominantly from Chinese Fir sourced from FSC certified forests together with stone and traditional kiln fired brick and tiles from China.
The carving on the pavilion reads: “Why must exquisite music come from stringed and bamboo instruments? Clear sounds echoing between mountains and rivers are more moving.”
The Chinese Streamside Garden is a remarkable horticultural and landscape initiative. A gorgeous fusion of the best of British and Chinese gardening traditions, the garden has been made possible thanks to a successful partnership between the local Chinese community, horticultural experts in China and RHS team members.
The Chinese Streamside Garden Founding Committee, comprised of prominent members of the Chinese community in Manchester and the North West, was established in 2018 by philanthropist Dr Lee Kai Hung, to help turn the vision for the garden into a reality. Both the Qing Yin Pavilion and the wider Chinese Streamside Garden have received a generous donation from the Lee Kai Hung Foundation to make their creation possible.
The ambitious vision of the garden is to celebrate and illustrate the huge contribution made to British horticulture by the introduction and subsequent development of Chinese native plants.
Many of the UK’s favourite plants originate in the varied landscapes of richly biodiverse China and include snakebark maples, magnolias, rhododendrons, primulas, hydrangeas, Cornus kousa (Chinese dogwood), Betula albosinensis (Chinese red birch), Ginkgo biloba (maidenhair tree) and Davidia involucrata (handkerchief tree).
Integrating classically inspired and authentically designed Chinese structures and focal points is intrinsic to the design vision for this garden. The RHS is delighted to be working with the local British Chinese community and horticultural experts from China who will help ensure these classical elements blend harmoniously into the established landscape.
The Chinese Streamside Garden and The Qing Yin Pavilion sit amongst the wonderful greenery of the entire RHS Garden Bridgewater, and provide a beautiful family-friendly day out, perfect for holidays or just a little weekend trip.
You can find out more and book tickets here, and RHS Garden Bridgewater is located at Occupation Rd, Worsley, Manchester M28 2LJ.