The zhanyuan garden lies in the center of Confucian temple and Qinhuai river landscape zone of Qinhuai district. The zhanyuan garden is the oldest ancient landscaping of Ming Dynasty. It is listed as one of four famous gardens. The history of the zhanyuan garden can be dated back to the residence of king Wu before Zhu, yuanzhang became the emperor. Later, Zhu, yuanzhang sent the garden to his general Xu,da. The zhanyuan garden is famous for fake mountains. It is listed as the first garden in southern capital Nanjing. Currently it is listed as the national key relics protection unit and 5A tourist landscaping scene.

　　The zhanyuan garden is the best-preserved landscaping architecture complex of Ming Dynasty. The zhanyuan garden is the only prince residence opening to the public. The zhanyuan garden was once part residence of Xu, Da. It used to be the office for local government in Qing Dynasty. It was also the residence of eastern king in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1851-1864).The zhanyuan garden once passed through Ming dynasty, Qing dynasty,the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Republic of China, and modern. The same as the most southern landscaping gardens, Zhanyuan Garden experienced complicated and changing history periods.

　　The zhanyuan garden covers areas over hundreds of acres, there are over 20 hot spots in the garden. The layout of the garden is very elegant. There are grander architecture complex in Ming and Qing dynasty, steep fake mountain, famous Taihu stone from Song Dynasty, quiet pavilion and tower. In the garden, there are exhibitions of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom which is the only exhibition in the subject. There are also scene for filming many TV plays.

　　Today the Zhanyuan Garden maintains the layout and style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with the adoption of a little bit of the technique in modern gardening. Vast verdant bush and tall bamboo areas make the garden like a tiny forest. In the eastern part, interesting places are the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Museum, the Grassland and the Ancient Architecture Area, while in the west, magnificent rock work and the old Jingmiao Hall. These attractions have made the Zhanyuan Garden a pearl of the sightseeing area around the Confucius Temple in Nanjing.