LOU LIM IEOC GARDENS

The pavilion serves as an exhibition hall and auditorium for recitals at the annual Music Festival. This peaceful garden was built in the th century by a rich Chinese merchant, Mr. Lou. He lost his fortune in the 1930 s and the site fell into ruins. The government bought the property and then re-elected it before opening it to the public in 1974. Originally, Mr. Lou listed his garden as Suzhou in China, famous for their classical beauty. Set behind high walls, it evokes an ideal miniaturisation landscape. Narrow trails bypass the groves of bamboo and flowery bushes, then pass under false mountains, to access a pond filled with carp and lotus. A clash bridge crosses the latter and leads to the pseudo-Victorian style pavilion (the nine switchbacks prevent bad spirits from crossing the bridge, because these can only progress in a straight line). This is one of the favorite places of Tai-chi followers.