In the southwest of the Oranienbaum museum-reserve, Antonio Rinaldi created a beautiful ensemble, with the central role given to the Chinese Pond. Like the Lower Pond, it is not natural but man-made, created somewhat later than the Lower Pond during the reorganization of the estate by architect Antonio Rinaldi. The pond owes its name to its location – near the Chinese Palace. Originally, the pond had a perfect rectangular shape and was bordered by stone banks. The pond received its name from the Chinese Palace, built for Catherine II in the 1760s.

Initially, the composition was supposed to include the Chinese Pond and palace, as well as the Ladies-in-Waiting and Coffee houses. However, the Coffee house was never built, and the Ladies-in-Waiting house was rebuilt in the mid-19th century into the Chinese Kitchen pavilion according to the project of architect Ludwig Bonstedt.

At first, when the park was designed in a formal style, the pond had a strict rectangular shape. In the mid-19th century, the layout of the Upper Park changed. Under the guidance of European garden masters, it completely altered its outlines, losing its strict geometric form and acquiring romantic landscape contours. Walking paths were arranged around the pond, and on one of the banks, in front of the facade of the Chinese Palace, a large flower garden was laid out.

The Chinese Pond is decorated with sculptures, which can be seen both on the pond itself and along the banks. Among the surviving sculptural compositions are "Apollo Belvedere" and "Diana with a Fawn," as well as "Triton Saving the Children," installed on a high pedestal (underwater). Flower beds are planted along the banks, and walking paths are built along the shores. Next to the pond is a pergola covered with climbing grapevines, where one can find shade from the sun on summer days.

Source:

https://www.spb-guide.ru/kitajskij-prud-oranienbaum.htm

https://peterburg.center/maps/oranienbaum-kitayskiy-prud.html