Nanjing Niushoushan Cultural Park

The Nanjing Niushoushan Cultural Park is being established to collectively exhibit and preserve the cultural treasures of Niushou Mountain – a centuries old, sacred Buddhist site containing Ming Dynasty temples, historic tombs and palaces, unique villages and reservoirs.

HASSELL was invited to prepare a master plan for the 80-hectare tourist park as part of an international design competition and, as the preferred scheme, won the opportunity to carry out the detailed design for the park's core area – the first phase and foundation of the development now under construction.

"Niushoushan Cultural Park strives to find a balance between contemporary tourist expectations and ancient Buddhist traditions in the creation of an immersive experience for visitors that is guided by the spirit of Zen, said Andrew Wilkinson, HASSELL Principal in China.

"Our design interprets Buddhist culture and philosophies to deliver thoughtfully crafted landscape elements that enhance appreciation for the mountain's historical uses, attractions and the breathtaking scenery. The landscape program promotes low impact tourism and the value of a lifestyle in harmony with nature," he said.

Upon entering the peaceful plaza of the park's core area, visitors are visually guided through a series of 'Zen' gardens, following interpretive steel features that flow from one space into the next, adapting to the site's changing landforms. Corten steel has been used throughout the landscape to symbolise a Buddhist scripture scroll.

The steel 'scroll' contains the water forms of the plaza's 'bright mirror path', that reflects the changing landscape of Mount Niushou; creating an arresting sight on arrival. It later opens out in the form of a high wall, providing a quiet moment for tourists to appreciate Bodhidharma's 'wall gazing' meditation. As the pinnacle of the garden tour, the scroll extends along the water line leading visitors to the Yinlong Lake plaza. From this commanding point in the landscape, tourists can take in panoramic views of the lake and mountains while relaxing in the tranquil environment.

The commercial aspects of the park are carefully located to maintain the site's integrity, ensuring its ability to function according to Buddhist doctrines, while enabling an enriching tourist experience for the thousands who visit each year.

Ultimately, all of Niushou Mountain's highlights will unfold from the park's core gardens, along a series of well-connected, landscaped roads and trails that give preference to cyclists and pedestrians. Viewing platforms, promenades and rest points will be sensitively embedded in the natural setting, minimising visual and environmental impacts, protecting the sights for future generations.