Suzhou - Gardens of Suzhou
Under the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), at a time when the city was experiencing an unprecedented flourishing, there were no less than 271 gardens here. In the 20th C many parks were left neglected and today there remain only about a dozen gardens. They were replicas of landscapes with mountains, trees and flowers, to which were added towers and pavilions.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Recently an effort has been made to restore them.
The one-acre Garden of Harmony (Yiyuan), situated in the city center in Renmin Lu, offers the visitor enchanting scenery which seems to change with every step. These grounds were the private property of the Chancellor Wu Kuan during the Ming period (1368-1644), and were referred to as the ''Daguan Yuan'' in the famous novel ''The Dream of the Red Room''. Towards the end of the 19th C the gardens were re-laid by a government official in accordance with the plans of a well-known artist, incorporating features from other gardens. A pathway divides the garden.
The one-acre Garden of Harmony (Yiyuan), situated in the city center in Renmin Lu, offers the visitor enchanting scenery which seems to change with every step. These grounds were the private property of the Chancellor Wu Kuan during the Ming period (1368-1644), and were referred to as the ''Daguan Yuan'' in the famous novel ''The Dream of the Red Room''. Towards the end of the 19th C the gardens were re-laid by a government official in accordance with the plans of a well-known artist, incorporating features from other gardens. A pathway divides the garden.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Related Attractions
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Garden of the Master of the Nets
The Garden of the Master of the Nets (Wangshiyuan) is situated in the south of the city near the modern Suzhou hotel. In 1140 the chief of the imperial chronicler's office, whose nickname was ''Master of the Nets'', had a residence built here. This garden, known particularly for its scenic beauty and variety, also incorporates several buildings.
Lion Grove
The Lion Grove (Shizilin) to the north of Suzhou is famed for its man-made hills formed from the unusual Taihu stone (limestone from the Taihu Lake). It was laid out in 1350 in a temple area, and is one of the most famous old gardens in the city.
The garden's name derives from the largest rock, the shape of which is reminiscent of a lion.
The garden's name derives from the largest rock, the shape of which is reminiscent of a lion.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
West Garden
The West Garden (Xiyuan) lies to the west of the Garden of Mr Liu, with which it was originally connected. In the 16th C the park was the private property of a high official of the imperial court. Following his death his son converted the site into a Buddhist monastery. In 1860 the garden was destroyed in the war, although it was re-laid only a few years later.
Among the numerous buildings, the Luohan Hall (Luohan Tang) is particularly impressive, it houses over 500 gilded statues of Buddhist saints, and a statue of the thousand-armed goddess of mercy carved from the stump of a camphor tree.
Among the numerous buildings, the Luohan Hall (Luohan Tang) is particularly impressive, it houses over 500 gilded statues of Buddhist saints, and a statue of the thousand-armed goddess of mercy carved from the stump of a camphor tree.
