THE MUGHAL GARDEN of Shangri La
The Mughal Garden replicates royal and public gardens throughout South Asia. It is inspired by the Shalimar Gardens built in 1637 CE in Lahore, Pakistan, constructed during the reign of the Mughal Empire. Brickwork pathways with geometric patterns installed down the length of the water channel crisscross in the center, recreating a four-part landscape design frequent in Mughal botanical architecture (an element known as chahar bagh in Persian or "four gardens"). Parterre (planting beds) in alternating shapes in white stone host scented trees and colorful flowers.
Hidden under the cascading waterfall feeding the channels is a display niche known as a chinikhana (Persian for "porcelain house"), a common decorative motif in Mughal architecture.