Genyue Garden

Timeline

1. 1102–1105Genyue site, north bank of Jinglong River, Bianjing · KaifengDuring the Chongning era, large-scale earthworks began on the north bank of the Jinglong River, diverting Bian River water into the garden and piling up Wansui Mountain (Genyue), establishing the framework of an imperial garden centered on a mountain-and-water layout, with a dedicated supervising official in charge of construction.
2. 1106–1108Genyue's Hanfang, Shoushan, and Tongbai sections · KaifengTaihu stones, Lingbi stones, and other rocks procured through the Flower-and-Rock Convoy gradually arrived in Bianjing and were placed in the various garden sections; pavilions, terraces, and halls, as well as aviaries and menageries, were built, and the garden's zones took shape, turning it into a garden-design laboratory personally overseen by Huizong for aesthetic experimentation.
3. 1109–1110Yanfu Palace, Genyue · KaifengAround the Zhenghe era, the main works of Genyue were completed; Huizong frequently visited Yanfu Palace for banquets, outings, and poetry composition. The garden reached its zenith, representing the peak of Northern Song imperial garden design, while its enormous costs further intensified social tensions.