Qu Yuan Plus Restaurant by LDH Design in Yangzhou, China

Project: Qu Yuan Plus Restaurant
Architects: LDH DESIGN
Location: Yangzhou, China
Area: 25,639 sq ft
Year: 2022
Photography: Wang Ting

Qu Yuan Plus Restaurant by LDH Design

The world of solitude looks like this: a slow pace, solid essence, clear spirit, spacious behavior, wide embrace, offering the cup of spring wisdom to the soul.

——Sixteen Views on Southern Painting School

Yangzhou, known for its ancient prosperity and long gentleness, is vividly described in the poetry of the Song Dynasty as "Slow Life in Yangzhou." People of Yangzhou have always yearned for a peaceful life among the noise around them. Remaining true to themselves, Yangzhou allows those who understand to appreciate its essence, distinguished as Yangzhou—uniquely independent.

Gardens that nourish gardens, casual walks lead to pleasure

This essence also manifests in its garden landscapes, as seen at the Fragrant West Lake where stones, forests, pavilions, bridges, solitude, dreams, silence and grace blend. Gardens within gardens and scenes unfolding one after another create a world where "Both banks are adorned with flowers and willows, closely following the water, while pavilions and terraces linearly guide the way to mountains."

Leisurely joys of life always progress from depth to subtlety: in depth—clarity; on the surface—feeling of indistinct comfort.

At the banks of Fragrant West Lake, among grand estates, "Qu Yuan" stands out as a unique pearl. Here you will see the abundance of spring greenery, vibrant summer growth, autumn purity and winter tranquility. Each step reveals a new pavilion allowing one to experience the splendor of all four seasons. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited Jiangnan six times, four of which were precisely here. His poetic lines "Sometimes entering it becomes interesting" inspired the name "Qu Yuan" (where "Qu" means "Playful" or "Interesting", and "Yuan" means "Garden" in Chinese).

Energetic Revival of Qu Yuan

With changing times, Qu Yuan experienced fluctuations. Today it represents an urban lifestyle where people gather to enjoy morning tea, listen to Yangzhou Pinghua (local folk art performed in the Yangzhou dialect), and stroll through bustling markets. Time has become a seasoning for our daily lives, slowly enriching the delicate flavors of Chinese culture.

Light and shadow dance: exploring the interior garden

Besides the classic Qu Yuan Teahouse, the garden took on a new life. Under the guidance of renowned contemporary Huaiyang chef Chen Wanzin, "Qu Yuan Plus" quietly emerges. The landscape based on the tradition of classical Chinese gardens harmonizes with elegant modern architecture. Over time, it is poised to become a symbol of the youth lifestyle in Yangzhou city.

Silence embraces dynamic movements, emptiness contains countless worlds.

Designer Lu Daohua infused the charm of garden walks into interior design, allowing visitors to enjoy a tranquil exploration of mountain forests and quiet solitude. The classical Eastern essence seamlessly weaves inside and outside, where the outer world radiates vitality and greenery while the inner space holds silence. Through invisible elements, a material home for the soul is outlined.

-Project description and images provided by ZZ Media