Suzhou is the Chinese Venice. Classical gardens in Suzhou Classical gardens in Suzhou

The city of Suzhou, located in Jiangsu province in southeast China, is often called the “Venice of the East.” Having walked around the city at least once, you will understand that such a comparison is completely justified. The city stands on the Grand Canal of China, a waterway connecting Beijing and Hangzhou. Many small canals branch off from the main one and turn the city into the Chinese equivalent of Venice.

Many tourists from all over the world come to Suzhou to sail along the canals on a traditional Chinese boat, admire the scenery from a cozy stone bridge, or stroll along the quiet narrow streets. However, Suzhou is truly famous for its gardens, which are considered one of the best in the world.

The history of garden art in China began three thousand years ago, but the first gardens appeared in Suzhou around the 9th century AD. e., and reached its greatest prosperity in the 18th century, during the reign of the Qin dynasty. In 1997-2000 8 of the most significant gardens were included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.

The garden was built in 1509, and received its name thanks to Wang Xiancheng, the official at whose expense this garden was built. He devoted almost 20 years to creating this garden when he was fired on charges of corruption. Thanks to his perseverance and work, this garden is considered one of the four most beautiful gardens in China.

The garden consists of three parts - Eastern, Central and Western, connected by a large pond. In the Eastern part there is the Orchid Hall, the main building here, and the Blue Pavilion, which looms majestically just above the lake. The central part of the park inspires with its harmony and grace. It is a part of a lake with two islands located on it, connected by two zigzag bridges. The ancient Chinese built bridges of this shape because they believed that evil spirits could only move in a straight line. The western part of the garden is occupied by buildings elegantly located along the shore of the pond. The main hall is divided into two parts: the “36 Chinese ducks” hall and the “18 camellias” hall. The idea of the creators is that in the summer the visitor can look at the ducks swimming in the lake, and in the winter admire the stone camellias that stand out effectively against the background of white snow.

This small park is famous for its stone labyrinth of bridges, passages and stairs of various shapes. The garden was founded in 1342 by the Buddhist monk Tianzhu in honor of his teacher Zhi Zheng. According to legend, Zhi Zheng achieved nirvana on the Lion Peak of Mount Tianmu, in honor of which the garden was named “Lion Grove”. Due to its uniqueness, many in China knew about this park; Emperors visited it twice, and one, struck by its unusualness and beauty, ordered a copy of it to be built at his summer residence in Chengde.

The smallest of Suzhou's famous parks was founded in 1140 by a retired official who was fond of fishing. The size of the garden is only 65 by 50 meters. Despite its size, it combines all the elements of a Chinese classical garden. On the territory of the garden there is a lake, pavilions with picturesque courtyards and original openwork partitions. A special place here is occupied by the Moon Observation Pavilion. In this pavilion, visitors can admire the Moon in the sky, contemplate its reflection in a special mirror or the water surface of a pond. The garden was not created for the public; the mandarin who built it spent time in it meditating or discussing philosophical topics.

A person who has visited the gardens of Suzhou at least once will forever remember their special atmosphere, tranquility and beauty. And those who are going to visit Suzhou should definitely set aside at least a few hours to visit them.

The humble official's garden (Chinese name - Zhuozhenyuan) is one of the best examples of private garden and park architecture, great place for relaxation and long walks.

The garden was created in the early 16th century by former state censor Wang Xianchen. Its name, of course, is ironic: the naked eye can see that the arrangement of the garden required huge financial investments, and there is no trace of the owner’s modesty here. By the way, according to legend, Wang Xiancheng himself was dismissed from government service for taking bribes.

It took the “modest” official more than 20 years to create this splendor. All the sadder is the fact that in 1631 his descendant lost the garden at cards in one night. After this, the owners of the garden changed regularly, and none of them particularly cared about its preservation. Therefore, only the central part of the once lush and rich garden has survived to this day. However, there is something to see there too. The garden has 48 different buildings, 40 steles, about 20 ancient valuable trees and more than 700 dwarf trees.

Garden of solitude and meditation in Suzhou

The Solitude Garden in Suzhou is called one of the masterpieces of Chinese garden architecture. It is, however, not too large (only 0.5 hectares) and does not belong to the imperial gardens: it was founded by an official who left public service. In 1593, Mr. Xu Taishi founded the garden, two hundred years later it passed into the hands of Liu Shu, and in 1873 the garden was expanded by its new owner Shen Han. Later the garden became the property of the state.

The main element of the garden is water. Everything is based on small canals and ponds, arranged in abundance in the garden. The center of the old part of the garden is the Tuanchi pond, surrounded by artificial rocks and the buildings of the Haibi Villa.

It is believed that the garden is ideal for reading books, wushu gymnastics, drawing, calligraphy and mental relaxation.

Network Master's Garden

In 1140, a retired official decided to plant a garden - and since he called himself a fisherman, the garden received the appropriate name: the Garden of the Master of the Net. Subsequently, already in the 18th century, another retired official took a fancy to the neglected park and decided to restore it in order to enjoy outdoor recreation.

The park, small by Chinese standards (a little more than 5 thousand square meters), is particularly elegant. The park harmoniously combines art, nature and architecture. It consists of 3 parts: the eastern (residential) part, the lake, and the “garden within a garden” in the western part. In the residential area, the most interesting structure is a bamboo hut, which is decorated with incredibly beautiful lanterns. Most The park itself is occupied by a garden with a wonderful pond.

Tuisa's garden

The classical landscape gardens of Suzhou are poetry that decorates everyday life.

Located south of the Yangtze, the city of Suzhou in eastern China's Jiangsu province is famous for its unique landscape gardens, hidden in quiet alleys behind modest, inconspicuous gates.

Network Master's Garden

The territory of the Fishing Net Master's Garden covers 5,400 square meters. meters and consists of two parts: in the east there is a house, and in the west there is a garden. Half of the garden is hidden by a wall, and the gates are richly decorated with ornaments - this is a traditional symbol of the high social status of the owner of the estate and his position in society.

The appearance of this beautiful and amazing place highlights the unique skill of Chinese designers who are able to combine nature, architecture and art, creating true masterpieces. The construction of the Netmaster's Garden began about 800 years ago, and gradually it appearance changed. But despite this, the “spirit” and character of the garden, as well as its name, continued to remain unchanged.

There are four buildings located here in the direction from south to north: main hall, sedan chair hall, grand hall, two-story tower, separated by gardens. They are made in the same style, and the interior decoration is striking in its richness. Each room has access to the garden - this is a characteristic feature of almost all the private gardens in Suzhou, for which the city is so famous. During the period when the city reached its greatest prosperity, 280 gardens appeared here, 69 of which have survived to this day in excellent condition.

The garden looks very discreet from the street and does not stand out from the rest of the buildings. But hidden inside is the amazing beauty of nature and true harmony of taste.

Garden "Garden of the Modest Official"

The most beautiful garden in Suzhou is the Garden of the Humble Official. In the 16th century, the official An Xianshen, accused of corruption and removed from service, began the construction of this park. And the name for the garden was borrowed by An Xianshen from a classical Chinese work in which the main character - a “modest official” - devoted himself to gardening. On an area of more than 4 hectares, the official performed a real miracle of landscape design.

Most of the territory is occupied by a lake; there are many islands with bridges crossing the ponds in a zigzag, open gazebos, pavilions and natural sculptures made of stones. In total there are about 50 buildings in the garden various types. The artfully laid out pebble paths resemble a mosaic.

The garden consists of three parts: Eastern, Central and Western, each of which has its own architectural and natural features. In the Eastern part, the main buildings are the Hall of Orchids and Snow and the Pavilion of Divine Spring. The main building of the Central part is the Hall of Distant Fragrance, located next to the pond with water lilies. The Northern Pagoda is also located here. The most interesting structure can be seen in the Western part of the garden: a pavilion divided into north and south with Halls of 36 Pairs of Mandarin Ducks and a Hall of 18 Camellias. In summer you can watch ducks swimming in the pond, and in winter you can admire artificial camellias.

Attractions of Suzhou

Classical Gardens of Suzhou

Located in Jiangsu province. Suzhou - ancient chinese city, built on water, dates back 2,500 years. It is called the Venice of the East.

On an area of 0.4 sq. km there are about 100 ancient classical courtyards, more than 60 arches of brick carvings and 14 ancient bridges.

The history of the construction of parks and gardens began in China in the 6th century BC during the reign of Prince Wu. Locals Gardens began to be set up here in the 4th century during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Since then, the construction of gardens has continued from generation to generation. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Suzhou became the busiest place in China. At that time, private parks and gardens were built everywhere in the city and its suburbs. During its full heyday, Suzhou had more than 200 park ensembles, which were so beautiful that Suzhou began to be called “paradise on earth.”

Nowadays, several dozen such gardens have been well preserved in Suzhou. The most famous of them are the parks of Zhuozhenyuan, Liuyuan, Wangshiyuan and Huansiushanzhuang. They all have their own style, they are distinguished by refined taste and high culture of layout.

In 514 BC, the prince of the kingdom of Wu ordered his subject Zixu to build a city here. 2500 years have passed since then. Suzhou's location was conducive to trade and was a place of pilgrimage for trading people. Has survived to this day ancient location streets along river canals. The patriarchal spirit of antiquity still hovers over the back streets. Traders and locals gather to discuss news, prices of goods and where to get things. This is a typical picture of South China.

Near Lake Taihu, the most fertile region, in the delta of the Yangtze River, Suzhou is located - the birthplace of silk.

Modern Suzhou combines antiquity and the present day. Both old and new Suzhou are prominent representatives of traditional Chinese culture. The city walls and gates amaze with their grandeur, and its ancient pagoda produces unforgettable impression, especially from above.

Anyone who has admired the beauty of the classical gardens of Suzhou at least once will never forget them. The ancestors of modern Chinese praised the Suzhou gardens - the most beautiful in southern China.

Zhuozhenyuan Garden (Garden of the Humble Official). It is located on an area of 4 hectares, of which more than half is water bodies. This is the largest park ensemble in Suzhou. All pavilions are built near the water: either on the banks of ponds or on stilts in the middle of them. There are bridges and passages between the pavilions. The most famous pavilion is Pavilion 36 Mandarin Ducks. Ducks that settle in the local reservoirs are considered a symbol of marital fidelity. The garden was founded by a retired censor in 1513, but after his death, his son lost his father’s garden overnight. Subsequently, the Taiping leader Hong Xiuquan, who was considered the younger brother of Jesus Christ, chose the garden as his residence. The Taiping state occupied a significant part of southern China; about 30 million people were under its jurisdiction. The Taiping tried to carry out radical social changes, replacing traditional Chinese religions with a specific “Christianity”.

Liuyuan Garden (Garden of Slowness) consists of four parts of different styles.

Huanxiushanzhuang Garden is a unique collection of artificial mountains and gained fame back in the Qing era. The main place on its territory is occupied by ponds and water channels, on the banks of which there are artificial mountains covered with trees and bushes.

The oldest garden in the city is the Blue Wave Pavilion or Canglan. It was built in 1044. The garden consists of piles of stones, thickets of green bamboo and artificial hills. A special feature of the park is that there is no perimeter wall; instead, mountains serve as a natural fence. In the Bright Path hall, more than 500 images are carved from wood. famous people who left their mark on the history of Suzhou.

The Lion Cave Garden, created during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), is famous for its lion-shaped piles of stones, which give it its name.

Hanshan Temple. The temple in the northwestern part of the city was built in the 6th century. Repeatedly fires destroyed the temple; the current structure dates back to the end of the Qing period (1644–1911). The main buildings are the Mahavir Hall, Sutra Hall, Stele Corridor, Bell Tower and Maple River Building. Since 1979, every year on December 31, a bell rings in the temple. Its ringing reminds of ancient traditions and at the same time signifies the coming of the New Year.

In the eastern part of the city are the Paired Pagodas. In Nepal, northern India, Tibet, China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, as well as Western countries Pagodas are multi-tiered towers used as temples. They were built in 982 during the Song Dynasty. Previously, pagodas stood on both sides of the entrance to Banzhuo Monastery, but they were destroyed in 1860. Immediately behind the pagodas is the foundation of the destroyed temple. Many fragments of the temple are scattered throughout the territory, and among them are bas-reliefs made in the Song period.

Fengqiao Bridge. The bridge is located on the Ancient Canal 4 km west of Suzhou. The adjacent landscape area covers an area of 45 hectares. On the streets, shops offer a rich selection of local crafts: paintings, calligraphy, silk products, etc. The atmosphere of the historical streets is decorated with the magical sounds of a lute coming from an ancient school, and the ringing of bells can be heard from the tower of the Hanshan Monastery.

Zhouzhuang is one of China's most picturesque and famous water cities, located in Kunshan County, just 30 km southeast of Suzhou. The ancient town stands on the Jinghan Canal, connecting Suzhou with Shanghai.

Well-preserved ancient residential buildings, unusual elegant bridges, and beautiful landscape views give an idea of the rich cultural heritage.

During the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC), the city's territory was part of the fief of Yaocheng and was called Zhenfengli. During the Northern Song Dynasty in 1086, a local rich man and zealous Buddhist, Zhou Digong, donated 13 hectares of land to Quanfu Monastery, and as a token of gratitude, the locals renamed the place Zhouzhuang (Zhou Settlement). Later in the Ming era, Zhouzhuang became a prosperous city where intellectuals, artists and dignitaries came to live, sparing no expense on the construction of their luxurious villas and graceful stone bridges. The streets of the city are canals, on the banks of which houses with white walls and curved tiled roofs are built. Centuries ago, residents moved along these streets exclusively by boats.

River streets and passages are connected by bridges, and houses are built along the rivers. Zhouzhuang is especially interesting to visit during the Boat Race and Lantern Festival.

Now Zhouzhuang is more like a museum under open air than on locality, although many Chinese continue to live in their ancient houses, without much modern conveniences.

The most best time To visit the city - in the evening, when dusk is gathering over the canals and red lanterns suspended from the roofs of houses are reflected in the water.

Shuangqiao Bridge (Double Bridge) is one of the most famous bridges city, is considered the symbol of Zhouzhuang.

Of the wide variety of bridges, the most typical are the paired Shuangqiao bridges. These are strong, stone, simple bridges. They consist of one arched stone span and one beamed stone span. Architecturally unique is the “double-passage bridge” spanning two canals.

The bridge was built during the Ming era during the reign of Emperor Wanli (1573–1619) and consists of two bridges - Shideqiao and Yunanqiao, forming the letter "G" and connecting two rivers - Yinzi and Nanbei. Shidejiao is easily recognized by its round arch, while the arch below Yunanjiao is rectangular. Local residents say that the shape of the Double Bridge resembles an ancient Chinese key. In 1984, Chinese artist Chen Yifei, who emigrated to the United States, exhibited his painting “Memory of the Motherland” with the image of the Double Bridge in one of the galleries in New York. The painting was later presented to Deng Xiaoping, and in 1985 the UN chose the painting as a design for commemorative stamps. These events attracted attention to the city Chinese tourists and governments, and quiet, authentic Zhouzhuang quickly became one of the most popular tourist destinations in China.

Fuanqiao Bridge. Located at the eastern end of Zhongshijie Street, Fuanqiao Bridge is one of the oldest buildings cities that have survived to this day in in its original form. The bridge was built in 1355 during the reign of the Mongolian Yuan dynasty. The name of the bridge is made up of the Chinese characters for "wealth" and "tranquility". The special feature of Fuanqiao is that arch bridge It is complemented on both sides by towers, which now house tea rooms, restaurants and shops. This is a good place to relax with a cup of tea and admire the views of the city.

Shen family residence. Built in 1742, the residence of the Shen family is a fine example of Ming architecture. The villa is located on Nanshijie Road, southeast of Fuanjiao Bridge. Luxury house belonged to the rich man Shen Wansan, the first millionaire of Jiangnan (the territory occupying the right bank of the lower reaches of the Yangtze). The complex occupies more than 2,000 sq. m. The territory is divided into three zones, with a total of 100 rooms, 7 courtyards and 5 arches. The first area includes a pier where boats were moored and a ramp down to the river that used to serve as a place for washing clothes. In the middle part of the complex there is a tea room, a reception hall and a 6-meter brick gate decorated with carvings depicting famous historical scenes. The last zone was intended for living quarters, so it has a more intimate and comfortable atmosphere compared to the central part of the residence.

Zhang family residence. The luxurious residence of the Zhang family is located south of the Twin Bridge (Shuangqiao) on Beishi Road. The complex was built in 1436–1449. during the Ming Dynasty by the wealthy Xu family, and at the beginning of the Qing reign, this residence was bought by the Zhang family. The territory of the complex is 1800 m2, inside there are 6 courtyards and more than 70 rooms. The main and most impressive building in Zhangding is the Yuyan Hall (Jade Swallow Hall), under which the Rujing River flows.

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Suzhou - amazing city, located on the shores of Lake Taihu and the Yangtze River in China. The city is known primarily for its centuries-old gardens and parks, canals and bridges. Trader and traveler Marco Polo called the city "Venice of the East".

The city was founded back in 514 BC. e. As the capital of the Wu kingdom, at that time the city was called Heliucheng. Only a thousand years later, in 589, the city received its current name Suzhou, in honor of Mount Sushan. Life has been in full swing here since ancient times. Caravans of traders came for the finest silk, which was produced here. The city grew rich very quickly, officials and merchants spent money on gardens and parks for themselves and for the population. In the 7th century, construction began on canals and a system of locks running throughout the city. The construction involved the labor of over five million people. These channels still operate today, attracting millions of tourists every year.

Travelers go to Suzhou, first of all, to see the most beautiful gardens, of which there are a lot and each has a name. The most famous: the Lion's Cave Garden, the Fishing Net Master's Garden, the Humble Official's Garden, the Blue Waves Park, the Garden of Peaceful Pastime. They were erected as places for leisure and recreation. In the gardens miniature landscapes imitated natural landscapes. Over the years, gardens in the courtyard of officials became the norm, and each official tried to make his own unique garden, in which every detail was thought out, and the structure itself was subject to the canons of his philosophical views.

The historical part of the city of Suzhou is completely covered with picturesque canals. The houses are usually built with one part facing the canal and the other facing the street. A walk around the city is perfect for romantics. After all, here you can enjoy a boat ride along the river canals, ride a rickshaw, meditate in the numerous gardens to the sound of the wind, try an amazing local cuisine. Local sweets will surprise even the most avid gourmet. To get acquainted with the cuisine, it is better to go to the market. You should definitely bargain in the market, this will significantly reduce the price of the product. Here you will be offered traditional sweets made from rice flour, halva, and candies with pine nuts. Numerous restaurants serve baked ducks, shaggy crabs, soups made from shark fins and marsh turtles, and mandarin fish.

Classical Chinese gardens in the city of Suzhou are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. With the rise of Shanghai, the city has lost a little of its former grandeur, but, nevertheless, attracts many entrepreneurs. If you are one of them, then getting a business visa to China will not be difficult.

Suzhou is considered the center of the silk industry; it is home to China's largest textile factory producing silk products exported to all parts of the world. The fastest way to get to the city is from Shanghai. If you are not in a hurry, it is better to take a ferry and explore the surrounding landscapes.

May 10th, 2016 , 02:57 pm

After visiting Qibao, a kind of Chinese "mini-Venice", I went to the Grand Venice - Suzhou. This city is famous for its many canals, bridges and pagodas, but its main theme is its classical gardens. I would like to tell you about some of them, and about the city in general.

Getting to Suzhou was not so easy. Arriving at the huge Shanghai train station, I walked back and forth for a long time, trying to figure out where they gave tickets. There’s also some kind of complicated system where you have to show your passport everywhere, and once you enter the waiting room, you can’t leave it. As a result, I found a miracle - a ticket office with an “English-speaking” employee, and the desired ticket was purchased. And then everything is simpler - half an hour at a speed of 260 km - and you are in Suzhou.

There are several attractions at the exit from the station. A huge monument to some dude

And a tower with a section of wall on the opposite bank. A sharp contrast from Shanghai.

Suzhou was founded in 514 BC. In the first century, during the Eastern Han Empire, Suzhou became one of the ten largest cities in the world. Beginning in the 10th century (Song Empire), and throughout the reign of the Ming and Qing Empires, the city was an economic, commercial and cultural center, as well as the most big city non-capital in the world. This lasted until the Taiping Rebellion in the 1860s, when the role of the leading city in the region passed to Shanghai.

When economic reforms began in China in 1978, Suzhou became one of the fastest growing and developing cities in the world. These days, Suzhou is considered perhaps the most prosperous city in China.

Of course, there are also skyscrapers here. So far, the most famous of them is a 300-meter giant with official name"Gateway to the East" People call it "Pants".

I haven’t been to this part of the city - the skyscrapers in futuristic Pudong in Shanghai were enough for me. Therefore, the photo was taken from the train, so sorry for the quality. I will add that these days it is in Suzhou that construction is underway on a building that will be the tallest in China. The 729-meter-high skyscraper will be called Suzhou Zhongnan Center, and seems to be the second tallest in the world after Burj Dubai. However, the city is famous not for this, but for its numerous canals, stone bridges, pagodas and gardens.

We are approaching the “pagoda bridge”, supposedly leading to the center of the old city, and another tower.

Well, then my misadventures began. Even after two days in Shanghai, I obviously had not yet adjusted to the Chinese distances, and, having incorrectly interpreted the map on which the distances were marked more than roughly, I decided that I could walk around the entire center of Suzhou on foot. This was a mistake. Looking ahead, I will say that in the end I covered about 30 km in a day, and by the evening I simply collapsed from fatigue. Well, for now, let's take a look at the first attraction on our long journey.

This is the famous Beiqi Pagoda, the tallest in China south of the Yangtze River - 76 meters.

When she was 11 floors, but over time she suffered and two floors threw back her fins. The style is reminiscent of the famous Liuheta Pagoda (Pagoda of Six Harmonies) in Hangzhou, one of the most striking architectural monuments of China during the Song Dynasty.

The territory of the pagoda is beautiful, but, alas, construction and restoration work is underway almost everywhere.

And in this, perhaps, the main problem Suzhou, Qibao, Shanghai, and probably all of China. Everything is under construction here, there is noise, din, dust, chaos and destruction everywhere. This was especially felt in Suzhou - the entire main street, and indeed any square that can be rebuilt, and this makes it very difficult to feel the atmosphere of an ancient and cozy city.

Of course, in some places there are corners of paradise that were slightly less affected by the “Great Perestroika”, as in the photo above. This is perhaps my favorite shot taken in Suzhou.

But the main theme of Suzhou is gardens. You should feel peace and quiet in them, catch zen, but in reality you are deafened by the sounds of construction around you and swept off your feet by crowds of tourists.

The central pedestrian street of old Suzhou. Here is also supposedly the most famous garden of the city - Zhuozhengyuan, or “Garden of the Humble Official”.

What epithets does this garden deserve? "The most beautiful garden in southern China", "the most beautiful garden in China", "the most beautiful garden in the world", "one of the four most famous classical gardens in China", "one of the eight classical gardens recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage" - continue possible ad infinitum.

In fact, I strongly recommend that you not go to this garden at all, or perhaps just to tick a box. This was the first time in China that I changed my principle of not visiting tourist places, and immediately regretted it. Entrance to the garden costs more than all other gardens (70 yuan, or 42 shekels - not expensive by our Israeli standards, but for China a lot of money. Entrance to any other garden costs from 15 to 30 yuan). The number of people does not go beyond all reasonable limits - it feels as if literally the whole of China is vacationing here. I have never seen so much even in some Versailles or in the Sistine Chapel. Well, and most importantly, no matter how much I wandered around the garden, I still didn’t understand how it stood out or differed from its other, more modest brothers. A garden is like a garden.

However, since I’m here, I’ll tell you. Zhuozhengyuan, or "The Garden of the Humble Official"- the largest garden in Suzhou. Together with garden "Lion Grove"(Shizilinyuan), The Garden of Slowly Flowing Time(Liu Yuan is also the Garden of Prolonged Time, the Garden of Solitude, or the Garden of Longing) and Tsanglantin garden(Stormy Wave Pavilion or Emerald Pavilion) is one of Suzhou's four famous gardens, each representing a different era - the Ming, Yuan, Qing and Song dynasties.

"The Humble Official's Garden" together with the "Garden of Slowly Flowing Time" are also included in the list of four famous gardens in China along with Summer Palace Beijing And Mountain refuge from summer heat in Chengde city district.

Other gardens included by UNESCO in the list of world sites cultural heritage: Estate in a picturesque mountain setting ( Huansiushanzhuan), Garden of Marital Retreat(Ouyuan), Garden of thoughts about what has been done
(Tuixiyuan), Fisherman's Garden(Wangshiyuan) and Flower garden art(Ipu). Apart from the Garden of Reflection, which is located in Tongli, a city on the water near Suzhou (another “Chinese Venice”), all other gardens are located in Suzhou itself.

The first garden on the premises of the "Humble Official" was built during the Shaoxing period (1131-1162) of the Southern Song Dynasty. Then the residence and garden of Lu Guimen, a Chinese poet and scientist of the Tang Dynasty, were located here. During the Yuan Dynasty, the territory became part of the Dahong Temple. And then in 1513, the garden of the dying monastery came into the possession of Wang Xianchen, an ambassador and poet of the Ming Dynasty, and he worked on it for 16 years, turning the garden into the model we see today. Van's son lost the garden at cards, and subsequently it changed many more owners, and was divided into three parts - Western, Eastern and Central. The garden was united in 1949, and in 1952 it was thoroughly restored.

The three main components of a classical Chinese garden are stone, plants and water. Stone and water represent Yin and Yang - the unity and opposition of principles. The stone is the dry light male Yang, and the water is the dark wet female Yin.

What is noteworthy about the “Garden of the Humble Official” is that water here is not represented by one limited reservoir, but by multiple springs, streams and ponds around bridges, galleries, plants and slides.

Typical zigzag bridge

The pavilions in the garden have wonderful names. There is a hall of Distant Fragrance, a hall of 36 Mandarin Ducks and 18 Camellias, a hall of Orchids and Snow, and so on.

Main pavilion of the Humble Official's Garden

It is a pity, however, that silence and solitude in this huge garden can only be found by semi-legally climbing onto the roof of one of the gazebos.

Finally, let's just take a little walk around the garden.

Local Chinese woman is concerned about her Yin

A typical entrance to one of the garden's branches. These entrances made me happy every time.

I even managed to discover Magen David here, which I was completely delighted with)

Bonsai garden. I especially liked the inscription: “Beware of civilization.”

Since we are talking about civilization, a meeting of civilization on the Elbe. Well, or near the river in the “Garden of the Modest Official”)

Behind the garden wall you can see the amazing futuristic building of the Suzhou Museum. There will be a separate post about it.

Well, with this we leave Zhuozhengyuan and go to the Lion Grove garden.

This garden is much smaller than its famous modest brother, and much more comfortable. Its main theme is the numerous stone formations.

It is believed to be the only surviving garden from the Yuan Dynasty, as well as the only surviving famous stone garden. “Of all the legendary stone gardens in history, only one has survived - the Lion Grove Garden in Suzhou” - this is how the story about this garden usually begins.

In the center of the garden there is a stunning stone labyrinth of grottoes, bridges and passages, along which you could hang out endlessly if not for the huge crowds of tourists. Alas and ah.

It is believed that the shape of the cut stones resembles lions - hence the name.

I didn’t see any lions, but maybe I don’t have enough imagination)

There is a legend that one day two Immortals named Li Tieguai and Lu Dongbin entered a stone labyrinth and got lost in it. However, they were not particularly bothered by this, and they remained in it, sitting down to play chess. I understand that they are Immortals, but I think that the number of tourists would deprive even them of their usual equanimity.

The garden was founded in 1342 by the Zen Buddhist monk Wen Tianzhu.

After Wen's death, the garden was abandoned, but in 1589 it was restored by another monk, Ming Sing. Then the magistrate Hengshu bought the garden, and in 1771 Huang Xi rebuilt it and called it “Five Pines Garden.” Beginning in 1850, the garden began to deteriorate again, but in 1917 it was bought by Bei Rongshen. He restored it in 1926, and according to official sources in 1949 the Bey family "donated it to the state." It was this year that the Chinese Communist Party confiscated all private property, so no one knows how voluntarily this donation was made.

The garden is divided into two main parts - a stone labyrinth and pavilions around the main river. the names of the pavilions are no less pleasing here than in the “Garden of the Modest Official”