A luxurious residence in Suzhou built by the Xiangshan group in the modern times.[Photo by Wang Kaihao/China Daily]

In older times, Xiangshan's artisans followed these characteristics to landscape gardens in Suzhou, also UNESCO World Heritage sites. Lu has renovated several gardens and historical relics in the ancient city but has become more famous for taking Suzhou's gardens overseas.

In 1999, Lu built the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland, Oregon. The garden's name - from a combination of Portland and Suzhou - means "awakening orchid" in Chinese. It is the first Chinese garden built abroad by the Xiangshan group and is a major tourist draw in Portland. Lu works on projects throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

"It is a pity that the US has different concepts for construction. We have to compromise to use some modern skills to follow American safety rules but the adjustment is not perceptible for visitors. Traditional techniques are used for every visible part in the gardens only to keep genuine flavor."

Lu complains that some carpenters from his hometown indulge in "showing off" in foreign lands. "This attitude is unhealthy for our Xiangshan brand."

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