Top Two Gardens in Suzhou
When you travel to Suzhou, you cannot miss the two gardens: Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden.
The gardens in Suzhou are beautiful places and they are top attractions in Suzhou. Take your camera when you prepare to travel to Suzhou. There are lots of wonderful sights in the gardens of Suzhou. With a long history, Suzhou is famous for its classical garden. The history of gardens in Suzhou can be traced as far back as the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC - 476 BC). So, you will know more about the local culture in these gardens.
The Classical Gardens of Suzhou are a group of gardens in the Suzhou region. Most of the gardens in Suzhou were built by scholars, they standardized many of the key features by designing constructed landscapes mimicking the natural scenery of rocks, hills, and rivers with strategically located pavilions and pagodas. Great Wave Pavilion, Lion Grove Garden, Humble Administrator's Garden, and Lingering Garden respectively represent the garden building style of the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, which are called the four most famous gardens in Suzhou. But the Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden are among the four most famous classical gardens in China.
Humble Administrator's Garden
Humble Administrator's Garden, also called Zhuozheng Yuan, is a renowned Chinese garden in Suzhou. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a pinnacle of traditional Chinese garden design and has been a source of inspiration for landscape architects and garden enthusiasts worldwide.
Garden Overview
Covering about 52,000 sq. m. (559,723 sq. ft.), the Humble Administrator's Garden is the largest garden in Suzhou and is generally considered to be the finest garden in all of southern China. The garden was originally built in 1509 A.D. during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 A.D.). Today's garden consists of three parts: the central part, the eastern part, and the western part, each with its own unique characteristics but harmoniously unified by water, which is a central element of the garden. The Eastern part is known for its elegant pavilions and small lakes, the Central part is the essence of the garden featuring the vast lake with islands, and the Western part is more intimate, with a series of meticulously arranged courtyards and buildings.
Seasonal Beauty
Visitors to the garden are greeted with a myriad of scenic vistas that change with the seasons. Spring brings blooming peonies and cherry blossoms, summer is marked by lotus flowers covering the waters, autumn highlights the changing colors of leaves, and winter introduces a serene beauty with snow-covered pavilions and bridges. The garden's sophisticated layout includes an array of pavilions, bridges, corridors, and rock formations, all meticulously designed to reflect the natural beauty and philosophical principles of Chinese garden design.
The Garden's Significance
The Humble Administrator's Garden is not just a feast for the eyes; it's a living museum of Chinese garden art that embodies the principles of harmony between man and nature. It's a place where visitors can wander through endless paths, discover hidden pavilions, enjoy the tranquility of water features, and reflect on the beauty of nature and the art of living.
Historical and Cultural Context
The Humble Administrator's Garden was created upon the old relics of a resident and a temple. A water feature is the main background and its natural landscape includes small forests, hills, and rock formations. It also has man-made pavilions, halls, and parlors. The resident houses are typical of the style of Suzhou Local Residences and this feature can be seen in the Zhouzhuang water village. Nowadays, the site of the residences has been rebuilt as the Garden Museum.
If you are interested in it, please join the Shanghai/Suzhou with Tongli Water Town 5 Day Tour.
Lingering Garden
Occupying an area of 23,300 sq. m. (250,799 sq. ft.), Lingering Garden (Liuyuan) is located at 338 Liuyuan Rd. Suzhou and it stands as one of the great four classical gardens of Suzhou and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Possessing a typical Qing style, Lingering Garden is well-known for the exquisite beauty of its magnificent halls and the various sizes, shapes, and colors of the buildings. Lingering Garden consists of the eastern, central, northern, and western parts. Each part has its own beautiful scenery. You can take a few hours to enjoy the picturesque scene and take photos of this place. The opening hours of the Lingering Garden are from 07:30 to 17:00. The admission fee is very reasonable. You can take Tourism Bus No. 1 & 2 to get there.
Historical Background
The Lingering Garden, or Liu Yuan in Mandarin, has a history dating back to the Ming Dynasty when it was first established in 1593 by Xu Taishi, a wealthy Ming official. Over the centuries, the garden has been modified and expanded by various owners, each adding their unique touch while maintaining its classical elegance.
Garden Layout and Design
Spanning approximately 2.3 hectares (around 5.7 acres), the Lingering Garden is celebrated for its harmonious blend of natural landscapes with man-made structures. The garden is cleverly divided into four distinct sections: the central, eastern, western, and northern parts, each offering its unique ambiance and aesthetic. This segmentation allows visitors to experience a variety of landscapes, from the lush vegetation and sparkling ponds of the central garden to the striking rockeries and elegant pavilions of the other sections.
Distinctive Features
One of the most distinctive features of the Lingering Garden is its array of exquisite rock formations, sourced from Lake Tai, known for their unusual shapes and textures. These rocks are masterfully integrated into the garden's layout, creating a striking contrast with the soft beauty of the surrounding flora and water elements. The garden's architecture is equally impressive, with a collection of pavilions, terraces, and halls that offer visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle and aesthetic preferences of China's ancient elite. Among these, the Hanbi Villa, the Listening to the Sound of Rain Pavilion, and the Celestial Hall of Five Peaks stand out for their architectural beauty and historical significance.
Bonsai Garden
The Lingering Garden is also famous for its bonsai garden, which is one of the largest and most refined in China, showcasing an incredible variety of miniaturized trees and plants. This section not only highlights the artistic skill and patience required for bonsai cultivation but also serves as a symbol of harmony and balance, central themes in Chinese garden design.
Seasonal Beauty
Visiting the Lingering Garden is a journey through the changing seasons, with each bringing its unique charm to the landscape. Spring awakens the garden with the delicate blooms of peonies and crabapples, summer brings lush greenery and lotus flowers, autumn covers the paths with golden leaves, and winter reveals the stark beauty of the garden's structure against the cold sky.
For travelers to Suzhou, the Lingering Garden offers not just a peaceful retreat from the urban environment but a deep dive into the philosophical and aesthetic ideals of classical Chinese garden design. It's a place where nature, art, and history intertwine, inviting visitors to linger and contemplate the timeless beauty that surrounds them. Whether you are a lover of nature, an enthusiast of architecture, or someone seeking a tranquil spot for reflection, the Lingering Garden promises an unforgettable experience.
In conclusion, the enchanting allure of Suzhou's classical gardens, particularly the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden, captures the essence of Chinese cultural and aesthetic tradition. These gardens are not just landscapes but narratives of history, philosophy, and artistry interwoven into the fabric of Suzhou's identity. As you wander through these timeless spaces, each step reveals a new vista, each turn uncovers a hidden gem, offering a serene escape into the heart of Chinese garden design. They stand as living monuments to the ingenuity and vision of their creators, inviting visitors from around the world to step into a realm where nature and humanity are in perfect harmony. So, pack your bags, charge your camera, and prepare for an unforgettable journey to Suzhou, where the beauty of these gardens awaits to transform your understanding of nature's artistry and the depths of cultural heritage. Embrace the opportunity to immerse yourself in the tranquility and beauty of these historic gardens, and carry with you the memories of their unparalleled charm and the stories they hold within their ancient walls.
Traveling to Suzhou could be a fantastic part of your tours China. The top attractions in Suzhou can be the best places for photography.
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