We found this enormous rock. It's placard read:
Blue Iris Stone (Qingzhi Xiu)This stone was popularly know as the "Stone of the Wastrel." According to historical records, an official of the Ming Dynasty by the name of Mi Wanzhong found this large, dark and sleek stone, shaped like a fungus at Fangshan in the southwest of Beijing. While having the stone moved to his home at Shaoyuan, he fell into financial difficulties and had to abandon it. Years later, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty had it moved to this place at much expense and named it "Blue Iris Stone."
This is the largest stone decoration in any Chinese garden.Pretty cool!!!
It was also cool how the trees were planted. Not sure how far back this dates though. Perhaps it was a modern addition to cut down on weeds?
