Jichangyuan ji 寄暢園記

Jichangyuan ji 寄暢園記 is a book about a garden in Wuxi 無錫, Jiangsu, written during the late Ming period 明 (1368-1644) by Wang Zhideng 王稚登 (1535-1612), courtesy name Bogu 伯谷, from Changzhou 長洲 (today part of Wuxian 吳縣, Jiangsu). The book of 1 juan was published in 1599.

The Garden of Carefree Repose (Jichang Yuan 寄暢園) in Wuxi described in this text is located at the foot of Mount Huishan 惠山 and is one of the representative surviving classical gardens of the Jiangnan region 江南 from the Ming period. It was created in 1591 by Qin Yao 秦耀, a grand coordinator (xunfu 巡撫) of Huguang 湖廣, who returned to his hometown after resigning from office. Initially named Wanderer's Nook in the Windy Valley (Fenggu Xingwo 風谷行窩), it was constructed on the former site of two monks' quarters of Huishan Temple in Wuxi, the Lodge of Southern Retreat (Nanyin Fang 南隱房) and Lodge of the Inspired Residence (Ouyu Fang 漚寓房). Later, its name was changed to Windy Valley Villa (Fenggu Shanzhuang 風谷山莊).

The garden remained the private estate of Qin Yao's direct descendants, except for a period of ten years when Qin Yao's sixth-generation descendant, Qin Daoran 秦道然, was implicated in factional disputes, stripped of office, imprisoned, and had all family property confiscated. During the Qing period 清 (1644-1911), the emperors Kangxi 康熙帝 (r. 1661-1722) and Qianlong 乾隆帝 (r. 1735-1796) each made six southern inspection tours, and on every occasion they visited Jichang Garden. However, the garden was destroyed in the Xianfeng reign-period 咸豐 (1851-1861). It was later rebuilt and renovated several times, but its appearance was no longer that of the original garden. For this reason, Wang Zhideng's essay holds considerable historical value as a source for the garden's history.

The text details the garden's greatest features, namely its spring water, and the scenic spots and the origins of their names. In a third part, the author adds his own reflections. He concludes that the garden's true excellence lies in its backing onto the mountain and facing the flowing waters. The spring water, symbolizing purity, simplicity, and freedom from burden, serves as a cultural emblem of noble character within the Chinese garden tradition.

The text is included in the series Zhongguo lidai mingyuan ji xuanzhu 中國歷代名園記選注 (1983).