Suzhou is referred to as the “City of Gardens.” In addition to renowned classic yards such as the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the Lion Grove Yard, the Canglang Pavilion, and the Lingering Garden, there are also lots of lesser-known ones concealed in the city. Moreover they are complimentary to go to.
Wufeng Garden
五峰园
Built in the Ming Empire (1368-1644), it was initially an exclusive garden had by painter Wen Boren, the nephew of the renowned painter, calligrapher and poet Wen Zhengming. The yard is called after the five rockeries within, which appear like five old men and are collectively called the “5 Old Rockeries.”
Opening hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Zhan’s Garden
詹氏花园(五爱堂)
With a background of over 200 years, the yard is a regular Qing-Dynasty (1644-1911) household garden. The locations open to the public include the east architectural location and the yard on the west side.
Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidaysReservation: On-site reservation and limited visitor numbers
Beiban Garden
北半园
Developed over 300 years back, the garden features a fish pond in the facility with yellow rock revetments, bordered by structures such as the boat hall, waterside pavilion and semi-pavilion. There is a square hall to the north of the fish pond and a two-and-a-half-story double-eave pavilion at the northeast corner of the garden.
Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Chaiyuan Garden
柴园
Originally the private garden of Frying pan Zengqi throughout the regime of Emperor Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty, it was later gotten and restored by Chai Anpu, a native of Shangyu, Zhejiang province, and was relabelled “Chaiyuan Garden.” From 1962 to 2012, it functioned as the Suzhou Institution for the Blind and the Deaf-Mute. After the college moved, it was transformed into the Suzhou Education And Learning Museum.
Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday (no entry after 4 p.m.), closed on Mondays (except holidays)
Former Residence of Tang Yin
唐寅故居遗址
The Previous Residence of Flavor Yin was integrated in the Ming Empire. The restored site maintains the design and style of the initial and has a number of frameworks showing the stories of Flavor Yin along with his rhymes and paints.
Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Suiyuan Garden
遂园
Constructed in the Qing Empire, the yard has a pond in the center bordered by bent bridges, rock boats and small pavilions. There are rockeries to the northeast of the pond, a rock boat to the southeast, and a hexagonal pavilion to the northwest. On the south side, there is a two-story residence developed during the Republic of China (1912-1949) with Roman architectural style.
