Changes

*''Other Names'': 南苑 ''(nan'en)''

*''Other Names'': 南苑 ''(nan'en)''

*''Japanese'': 識名園 ''(shikinaen)''

*''Japanese'': 識名園 ''(shikinaen)''

Shikinaen is a historic site in [[Naha]], [[Okinawa]], a former [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryukyuan]] royal villa.

Shikinaen ("Shikina Gardens") is a historic site in [[Naha]], [[Okinawa]], a former [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryukyuan]] royal villa. On account of its location a short distance south of the main royal palace at [[Shuri castle|Shuri]], Shikinaen is also known as Nan'en ("Southern Gardens").

It is said to have been built to host welcoming receptions for [[Chinese investiture envoys]]. The garden, complete with a red-tile-roofed palace hall, a pond with a small island in it, and a Chinese-style stone bridge, received enthusiastic praise from Chinese visitors.

The complex is said to have been built to host welcoming receptions for [[Chinese investiture envoys]]. The garden, complete with a red-tile-roofed palace hall, a pond with a small island in it, and a Chinese-style stone bridge, received enthusiastic praise from Chinese visitors.

The garden & villa were destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, but have been rebuilt, and are now administered by the City of Naha. It is a nationally-designated "site of scenic beauty."

The garden & villa were destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, but have been rebuilt, and are now administered by the City of Naha. It is a nationally-designated "site of scenic beauty," and has been designated a [[World Heritage Site]] as part of the category "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu."

==References==

==References==