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Hong Kong's first Lingnan-style theme garden will be built, aptly, in Lai Chi Kok, a place which owes its name to lychee, the native fruit of the fertile ground lying to the south of Five Ridges in China.

"In drawing up the design of the garden, the idea of Lingnan style was naturally inspired by the name of the place where it will be built, as lychee and Lingnan have become inseparable since the Song Dynasty," said Chief Architect Tse Shun-kai of the Architectural Services Department who leads the project.

"A typical Lingnan-style garden features tall and dense structures with free air passage ways, such as pavilions and kiosks, to provide visitors with shade in the midst of the sizzling heat in summer," Mr Tse said

"At the same time, breeze is formed by air passage to fan visitors," he added.

In the winter, the garden is protected from northterlies by fence walls.

Coastal regions in China had early contacts with the outside world, which have left their marks on architecture. In the case of a Lingnan garden, the western influence is reflected by the stained glass of windows and cast iron railing.

"These characteristics, together with those of the four major Lingnan-style gardens in China, have been incorporated in our design," Mr Tse said, adding that Project Architect, Miss Athena Fung, had traveled extensively in Guangdong to gather ideas.

The four major Lingnan-style gardens in China are located in Panyu, Dongguan, Shunde and Foshan.

"Our garden will be divided into eight scenic areas, each with its own pavilions and chambers for visitors to rest in leisure. There will be covered walkways, rockeries, fence walls, water features, and woodworks and stoneworks of many different kinds," he said.

"The centre of the garden, covering about a quarter of its total area, will be turned into a pond to be dotted with plants. It will become a symbol of the source of wealth and fortune," Mr Tse said.

The Lingnan-style garden is part of the Phase I of the Lai Chi Kok Park Stage III development, which covers an area of 37,500 square metres.

The project also includes an open plaza with spectator stands, children's play area, tricycle areas, fountains, jogging trails and fitness stations.

Works are expected to start in October for completion in a year's time.

End/Saturday, July 11, 1998.

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