Nifeliz Chinese Garden Review

--A Brick-by-Brick Tribute to Jiangnan's Poetic Waterscape

Preface

"This hands-on review is NifeliZ's collaborative experiment in authenticity: a diverse team—from office professionals and LEGO enthusiasts to musicians and photographers—built our own kits alongside fans to experience their joys, struggles, and "aha" moments firsthand. By sharing raw insights into what works, what doesn't, and how we'll improve, we aim to create products that truly resonate with builders while offering you practical guidance.

Whether avoiding pitfalls or enhancing your creative flow, this collective journey—fueled by varied perspectives but united in purpose—is designed to make every assembly smoother, every connection more meaningful, and every build a shared story of growth."

 

 

When we think of traditional Chinese gardens, what comes to mind is often winding streams, elegant pavilions, ornamental rocks, swaying bamboo... These are more than mere sceneries—they're the embodiment of a poetic lifestyle, and the pinnacle of Eastern aesthetics in spatial design. But what if such a serene vision were distilled into the satisfying clicks of interlocking bricks?

Hey everyone, I'm Cecilia. Today, I invite you to explore this intricately crafted Chinese garden model, infused with the graceful charm of Jiangnan, and experience the allure of Eastern design in every detail.

I.Box and Packaging

The box features a dark gray rigid packaging, with the outline of pavilions and towers delicately sketched in line art on the surface. Accented with silver foil stamping, the overall design is understated yet refined, conveying a sense of serene and composed Eastern charm.

Contents:

●27 brick bags (divided into 4 main sections):

Bag #1: 7 bags (Steps 1–102)

Bag #2: 9 bags (Steps 103–234)

Bag #3: 5 bags (Steps 235–272)

Bag #4: 6 bags (Steps 273–341)

●1 instruction manual

●4 storage boxes

●1 bookmark

Here we go—let's build this garden !

II. Assembly Process

We begin with Bag #1, which includes 7 individual bags and focuses on building the foundation of the garden.

Starting from Bag [1.15], we begin laying the baseplates.

Note: There are two shades of green used here. The manual clearly distinguishes them—make sure to match the colors accurately.

Steps 1–15 are straightforward, laying the initial base.

Moving on to Bag [16.36], we continue working on the base area.

 

Steps 16–24 proceed smoothly.

By Step 36, the base is fully formed, utilizing staggered layering techniques for a solid, smooth foundation—robust enough to support the entire build.

Next, we open Bag [37.50].

Pages 13–15 (Steps 37–40) switch from 3D views to top-down diagrams. It can be confusing at first, as it's not immediately clear where to begin.

Steps 37–40 use transparent blue bricks to create a shimmering “pond”—like a gentle stream flowing before your eyes.

Step 50 completes one side of the terrace with solid structure.

Then, on to Bag 51.75, which contains two sub-bags [51.75-1, 51.75-2].

By Step 60, the base of the rockery is completed.

Next, we continue assembling the ground structure, as the layers gradually come into view.

Step 75 completed.

We continue with the assembly of parts bags [76.102-1] and [76.102-2].

Step 80 continues the courtyard flooring.

By Step 94, the groundwork is nearing completion.

From Steps 80 to 102, the green bricks create a rich, textured courtyard floor.

We now move on to Bag #2, which includes 9 part bags.

Starting with [103.130-1] and [103.130-2]

The tan bricks depict a natural, sandy terrain.

Step 110 offers a clever exploded view, making the structure easier to interpret.

 

However, several parts here showed minor wear and tear.

By Step 116, the riverbank section is complete. The use of sand-colored bricks effectively simulates sloped earth.

Steps 117–119 on page 38 are also repeated steps without boxed outlines, indicated only by numbers.

From Steps 117 to 130, black bricks form a clean platform boundary.

Continue assembling parts bags 【131.168-1】 and 【131.168-2】, which include bamboo and stone lanterns. Pay attention to the distinction between light and dark tones.

At step 152, bamboo is installed — I recommend referring to the panoramic diagram in the manual for better spatial understanding.

Stone lanterns added in steps 153 to 161 immediately enliven the scene

By step 168, the landscape is richly detailed.

Bags [169.208-1] and [169.208-2] follow.

Steps 188 to 190 assemble a small pine tree—a deceptively tricky part due to its loose branches and vivid, complex colors in the manual, demanding careful attention.

Steps 169 to 192 complete the rockery's base structure.

Steps 194 to 199 create a cascading waterfall using transparent bricks, adding a dynamic element.

Step 208 installs the rockery into the garden scene.

Now onto the hexagonal pavilion assembly from bags [209.234-1], [209.234-2], and [209.234-3].

Distinguishing between dark and light gray bricks is critical here, as the manual's printed colors are similar and not as clearly marked as the greens.

Steps 209 to 215 build the pavilion's base.

Step 216's top-down view aids understanding.

Step 223 is placed directly on Step 220's structure with no anchor point.

Steps 230 to 233 complete a small table assembly.

Tip: You can swap out the tabletop decoration to suit your style—adds a touch of fun.

Step 234 installs the table inside the pavilion.

Now we proceed with Bag 3. There are five parts bags in total to assemble the main body of the hexagonal pavilion.

Start by taking out Bag [235.239] to assemble the pillars and the fence with seats.

Steps 235–238 on page 71 are repetitive and require assembling six identical parts, but the manual only marks ”6x” at the end without clear boxed highlights, which is somewhat inconvenient.

The six hexagonal pavilion columns are now assembled.

Next, continue with Bag [240.248].

In Step 241, the orientation of the parts is not clearly indicated; in fact, it is symmetrical to the right side. It's recommended to add an illustration to aid understanding.

Steps 240–247 also involve repeated assembly of five identical parts, but the manual again lacks boxed indications, only marking “5x” at the end.

Steps 240–241 can be assembled for all five parts first, then steps 242–247 for the other five, so you don't have to flip back and forth.

The fence seats are now assembled and installed on the pavilion in sequence.

Step 248 completes the initial formation of the pavilion.

Next, open Bag [249.259] to assemble the pavilion roof.

Note: During roof assembly, the blue areas in the manual are overly bright, and the part lines are not clear enough. Under lighting, this can cause visual fatigue. It is recommended to reduce the blue saturation, enhance line contrast, and add multi-angle and real-life photos in future editions to improve clarity.

Steps 249 to 258 build the central roof frame.

Step 259 assembles six identical modules.

Next, Bags [260.272-1] and [260.272-2].

Step 264 requires attention to brick placement; the manual's upper-right 1:1 scale diagram is helpful.

Step 265 completes the roof's central structure, followed by six winged eaves modules.

Steps 266 to 270 are repeated six times; it's recommended to build all six simultaneously to save time.

Step 269 bricks are tight and require forceful assembly, which might cause hand discomfort.

The pavilion roof's flying eaves are made with a curved folding structure and hook-shaped decorations that enhance the visual tension, perfectly capturing the iconic "soaring eaves" style — as if ready to take flight.

Finally, the last stage with Set 4, 6 bags.

Starting with bags [273.282-1] and [273.282-2] for roof tiles.

Steps 273 to 279 are repeated six times; assembling six parts at once helps avoid repeated page flipping.

 

Step 280 completes the roof tiles, using sloped bricks to create a layered tile effect. However, the colors used in this part of the instruction manual are overly saturated, and the glossy paper reflects light under indoor lighting, making it harder to distinguish details. Prolonged viewing can cause visual fatigue and negatively affect the building experience.

Step 281 installs the roof onto the pavilion body. It's important to align support points carefully (refer to the right-side diagram), gently placing and fixing it. The support pillars are soft and prone to damage if handled roughly.

Step 282 installs the entire hexagonal pavilion onto the base smoothly, with ample space avoiding interference with other parts.

Next, bags [283.306-1] and [283.306-2] assemble the arched bridge.

Steps 296 to 303 construct symmetrical parts.

Step 294's angle in the manual is a bit unclear, making two bricks seem to "disappear," causing confusion about whether they were installed correctly.

Step 305 uses a 12cm soft tube, which is easier to stabilize if threaded through both sides before fixing the middle.

Tip: The soft tube's cut ends might be slightly deformed; press and adjust before assembly.

The arched bridge is complete.

Step 306 installs the bridge into the model, referring to the slot diagram on the manual's upper right. One end inserts into the pavilion's stair gap.

Finally, bags [307.341-1] and [307.341-2].

Palm tree assembly is finished, and leaf angles can be adjusted freely. Finally, four base pads need to be installed to finish the build. At this point, the model is basically formed, but having to install the pads underneath makes flipping the model very inconvenient. It is recommended to move this step earlier, around step 129, when the assembly is still at the base stage and the overall weight is lighter, making it safer and easier to handle.

III. Overall Evaluation

This Chinese classical garden model beautifully captures the elegance and tranquility characteristic of Jiangnan gardens. The harmonious arrangement of architectural structures and natural elements, combined with soft, warm colors, presents a quintessential Eastern aesthetic.

Highlights include the pavilion's flying eaves, the multi-layered transparent waterfall, and intricately detailed rockeries and bamboo groves, all exhibiting a high degree of visual fidelity. The modular design allows key components—such as the pavilion, bamboo, rockery, stone bridge, and ancient trees—to be detached and repositioned, enhancing display flexibility and simplifying maintenance.

However, the model leans more toward static display than interactive play, with limited moving parts or mechanisms. The instruction manual could benefit from clearer labeling of repeated steps, smoother transitions between viewpoints, and more detailed guidance on part orientation to improve assembly efficiency. Some tightly fitting parts require additional force during assembly, indicating a need for better tolerance control. Installing base pads earlier in the build would also improve ergonomics during handling.

Overall, this model stands out with its meticulous detail, structural soundness, and authentic aesthetic. While it favors visual artistry over interactive features, its modularity and elegant design make it a highly desirable collectible and display piece.