Global garden cultures blossom at Beijing's Palace Museum exhibition

A major international exhibition exploring garden cultures from China and beyond has opened at Beijing’s Palace Museum, featuring over 200 rare artifacts from Asia, the United States and France.

Titled "Rejoicing in Woods and Springs: A Journey through Garden Cultures in China and the Wider World," the exhibition is sponsored by the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP), which was established by Hong Kong Jockey Club with a HK$6.8 billion grant, and organized by the Palace Museum in partnership with the Art Institute of Chicago.

Running through June 29 at the Meridian Gate’s Tower Gallery, the exhibition will later travel to Suzhou Museum, Ningbo Museum, and Hong Kong Museum of Art, concluding its tour in July 2026. 

The exhibition highlights six traditional activities from the Forbidden City’s Imperial Garden, including gatherings, art appreciation, and meditation, while contrasting Chinese and Western gardening philosophies.

The exhibition is part of a five-year collaboration between The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Palace Museum under a memorandum to promote Chinese culture and arts technology. 

It also commemorates the Palace Museum’s 100th anniversary and HKJC’s 140th-anniversary campaign.
At an opening ceremony on Monday, Palace Museum Director Wang Xudong emphasized the exhibition’s role in fostering global cultural dialogue.

"This initiative supports the sustainable development of heritage while advancing the vision of a shared global future," he said.

Lester Huang, IoP Chairman and HKJC Charities Trust Trustee, noted the exhibition’s innovative use of digital technology to engage audiences. 

"We look forward to its Hong Kong stop next year, which will deepen public understanding of national history and strengthen the city’s role as an East-meets-West cultural hub," he said.

Contributing institutions include the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Palace of Versailles, and China’s National Museum. 

Alongside physical displays, digital content will soon be available online for global audiences.

(Ayra Wang)