exploring the Tranquil Beauty of Chinese Gardens
Couple Garden,Suzhou
Our founder, Nilufer Danis, was invited to Suzhou, China, last week as a speaker to share our passion, as well as our wide knowledge and experience of garden design, with visitors at the 2024 Garden Conference x International Garden Design Week, hosted by the Garden Gathering at Suzhou International EXPO Center.
After the conference, we had an opportunity to visit the most important traditional Chinese gardens in the city of Suzhou. The classical gardens of Suzhou, dating back to the 11th century, are world famous, and are generally acknowledged as one of the great masterpieces in the history of gardening around the world: nine of them are included in the World Cultural Heritage List.
Chinese gardens, with their serene landscapes and harmonious designs, have captivated people for centuries. These meticulously crafted spaces are not just places of beauty but also repositories of culture, philosophy, and history. Stepping into a traditional Chinese garden is like entering a realm in which nature and human creativity merge seamlessly. In this blog, we will delve into the enchanting world of Chinese gardens, exploring their origins, key features, and enduring significance.
The tradition of Chinese garden design dates back thousands of years, and has its roots in the imperial gardens of ancient China. Initially conceived as retreats for emperors and nobles, these gardens evolved over time, influenced by various philosophical and artistic movements. The earliest recorded gardens date back to the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE), but it was during the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE) that garden design actively flourished, reaching its zenith in the subsequent dynasties.
Chinese garden design is characterised by several distinctive features, each imbued with symbolic meaning and aesthetic appeal.
1. Balance and Harmony: Central to Chinese garden design is the concept of representing the balance between opposing forces. This balance is reflected in the arrangement of elements such as water and rocks, light and shade, and open spaces and enclosed structures.
2. Water: This is a fundamental element in Chinese gardens, symbolising life, purity, and tranquillity. Ponds, streams, and waterfalls are carefully integrated into the landscape, creating a sense of movement and fluidity.
3. Rock and Mountains: Rocks, often sourced from natural landscapes, are strategically placed to evoke the rugged beauty of mountains. Known as ‘’scholar rocks’, these’ serve as focal points and are imbued with symbolic significance, representing endurance, resilience, and the passage of time.
4. Pavilions and Walkways: Pavilions, gazebos, and winding pathways are essential features of Chinese gardens, providing vantage points from which to admire the scenery and offering opportunities for contemplation and relaxation.
5. Symbolism: Every aspect of a Chinese garden, from its layout to its plant selection, is laden with symbolism. Plants such as bamboo, pine, and plum are chosen for their auspicious symbolic qualities, while architectural elements often incorporate motifs from Chinese mythology and literature.
Chinese gardens continue to inspire artists, poets, and garden enthusiasts around the world. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these gardens serve as repositories of cultural heritage, offering insights into Chinese philosophy, art, and society. Today, many historic Chinese gardens have been preserved as UNESCO World Heritage sites, while contemporary interpretations continue to evolve, blending tradition with innovation.
We definitely recommend visiting the ten most important classical gardens of Suzhou:
1. Humble Administrator's Garden - Archetype of Imperial Gardens
The Humble Administrator's Garden is one of the most renowned and exquisite examples of classical Chinese garden design. As an archetype of imperial gardens, it embodies the principles of harmony, balance, and symbolism that are integral to traditional Chinese garden aesthetics.
The garden is approximately 5.2 hectares (about 13 acres) in size, and is divided into three main sections: the eastern, central, and western gardens. Its design follows the traditional principles of Chinese garden design, with a harmonious blend of water, rocks, pavilions, and vegetation.
Water features, including ponds, streams, and bridges, are central to the garden's design, symbolising the flow of life and the passage of time.
The layout is deliberately asymmetrical, creating a sense of natural spontaneity, in contrast to the strict symmetrical approach of garden design in the West.
The key features are pavilions and buildings, rockeries, bridges and planting, which creates a sense of calm and beauty. Bamboo, pine, plum, and other symbolic plants are interspersed with flowering shrubs and trees, providing colour and fragrance throughout the seasons.
The Humble Administrator's Garden stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Chinese garden design and serves as a source of inspiration and contemplation for everyone who visits it, reminding us of timeless principles of balance, harmony, and respect for nature.
2. Lingering Garden - Poetic and Picturesque Garden
The Lingering Garden is celebrated as one of the most poetic and picturesque classical gardens in the country. Renowned for its meticulous design, sublime architecture, and serene ambiance, the Lingering Garden has captivated visitors for centuries.
Covering an area of about 23,310 square metres (about 5.78 acres), the Lingering Garden has four main areas: the central, eastern, western, and northern gardens.
The design of the garden embodies the classical principles of Chinese garden architecture, with a harmonious balance of water, rocks, pavilions, and vegetation.
Water features, including ponds, streams, and small lakes, are interspersed throughout the garden, creating a sense of tranquillity and movement.
The layout is characterized by winding pathways, hidden alcoves, and scenic vistas, inviting visitors to explore its enchanting landscapes at their own pace.
3. Tiger Hill - The First Sight in Suzhou
Image sourced via Pinterest
Tiger Hill, known as Huqiu in Chinese, is a renowned scenic spot located in Suzhou, China, often acclaimed as “the First Sight of Suzhou" due to its historical significance, natural beauty, and demonstration of cultural heritage.
Tiger Hill has a rich history dating back over 2,500 years, with its origins shrouded in legend and mythology. According to legend, the hill is the burial site of King Helü, the founding king of the state of Wu during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BCE). Over the centuries, Tiger Hill has been the site of numerous historical events, battles, and cultural activities, earning it a prominent place in Chinese history and folklore.
Its key features are the Leaning Tower of Tiger Hill, the surrounding scenery, and its historical sites and natural wonders.
4. Master of the Nets Garden - Perfect Garden in Pocket Size
The Master of the Nets Garden, known as Wangshi Yuan in Chinese, is a masterpiece of classical Chinese garden design located in Suzhou, China. Renowned for its exquisite architecture, tranquil ambiance, and carefully thought-out plan, the Master of the Nets Garden is considered one of the finest examples of a small-scale residential garden in China.
Covering an area of about 0.5 hectares (about 1.2 acres), the Master of the Nets Garden is celebrated for its small size and intricate design. The garden is divided into two main sections: the residential section and the garden section. The residential section features a series of pavilions, halls, and courtyards arranged around a central axis, reflecting the traditional layout of Chinese courtyard residences.
The garden section, located to the rear of the residential area, comprises a series of interconnected courtyards, ponds, rockeries, and pavilions, creating a sense of serenity and seclusion.
5. Lion Grove Garden - Kingdom of Rockeries
Lion Grove Garden, known as Shi Zi Lin in Chinese, is one of the city of Suzhou’s most celebrated historic classical gardens, famous for its for its unique rockeries and serene landscapes. Indeed, it is known as “The Kingdom of Rockeries" for its extraordinary collection of intricate rock formations, made of naturally occurring limestone, which resemble lions in various poses.
Covering an area of approximately 1.1 hectares (about 2.7 acres), Lion Grove Garden is renowned for its labyrinthine layout and dense vegetation. The garden is divided into several distinct sections, each characterised by its own unique elements and landscapes. Water features, including ponds, streams, and small waterfalls, are interspersed with the rockeries throughout the garden, creating a sense of tranquillity and movement.
6. Blue Wave Pavilion - Natural Beauty in Architecture
Blue Wave Pavilion, also known as Canglang Pavilion, is one of Suzhou’s historic classical gardens, famous for its natural beauty and architectural elegance. It is renowned for its tranquil atmosphere, scenic vistas, and stunning pavilions.
Covering an area of approximately 10,000 square meters (about 2.5 acres), Blue Wave Pavilion is known for its classical layout and majestic design. The garden consists of several unique and individual sections, each featuring different kinds of design aspects and a variety of landscapes. Ponds, streams, and small waterfalls are interspersed throughout the garden, the still and running water creating a sense of both tranquillity and movement. The pavilions and buildings are characterized by traditional Chinese architectural elements, including curved eaves, intricate carvings, and painted details.
7. Couple Garden (Qu Yuan Garden)
The Couple's Retreat (Qu Yuan) Garden, one of the most charming and well-preserved gardens in Suzhou, has an intimate scale and tranquil atmosphere, and because of this is often considered a romantic spot. A UNESCO World Heritage site, its traditional Chinese garden elements, such as ornamental water features, pavilions, courtyards and pretty bridges, contribute to its enduring appeal.
Qu Yuan, approximately 0.9 hectares (about 2.2 acres) in size, is known for its compact layout and harmonious design. The different sections of Qu Yuan each have their own specific quality and landscape aspects, as well as individual architectural features. , water has a key role to play in these, with ponds, streams, and small waterfalls that offer a relaxing ambience of calm and gentle activity throughout the garden.
8. Retreat & Reflection Garden
The Retreat & Reflection Garden is one of Suzhou’s most poetic and tranquil classical Chinese gardens. Renowned for its serene ambience, lyrical landscapes, and architectural beauty, it is considered one of the most beautiful and well-preserved gardens in the city.
Each area of the Retreat & Reflection Garden is a unique combination of specific types of pavilions, halls, courtyards, and water features, set in an intimate landscape.
With an area of only 0.5 hectares (about 1.2 acres), the Retreat & Reflection Garden’s small scale and elegant design contributes to its appeal.
The garden is designed to make the most of water as a natural element, with bubbling streams, waterfalls and calm ponds placed throughout the garden contributing to the garden’s feeling of serenity and and relaxation.
9. Garden of Cultivation
The Garden of Cultivation, also known as Garden of Seclusion and Meditation, is one of the most admired of Suzhou’s traditional Chinese gardens. Renowned for its tranquil atmosphere, aesthetically pleasing design and exquisite architecture, it is one of Suzhou’s best-preserved classical gardens.
The Garden of Cultivation extends to approximately 0.5 hectares (about 1.2 acres), its intimate character offering a range of different architectural features and landscape elements in an arrangement of distinct sections. The pavilions and other built elements combine with the range of perfectly positioned water features to make the garden a calm, meditative space for retreat.
10. Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty
The Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty, also known as Mount Villa with Embracing Beauty, or Embracing Beauty Garden, is a picturesque classical Chinese garden located in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. its natural beauty, architectural interest and relaxing ambience gives it its reputation as one of the most beautiful and well-preserved gardens in Suzhou.
The Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty offers approximately 1.5 hectares (about 3.7 acres) of harmonious design on an expansive scale.
Each section of the spacious landscape of the garden has unique features and landscape aspects. Its courtyards, pavilions and other architectural constructions, as well as interesting water features such as ponds, streams and waterfalls, leave the visitor with a sense of calm and enrichment.
Yu Garden in Shanghai
In addition to the gardens in Suzhou described above, we really liked Yu Garden in Shanghai. It is a small garden but is important to see.
In a fast-paced world marked by urbanisation and technological advancement, Chinese gardens, with their traditional aesthetic appeal, offer a sanctuary for the soul—a place to reconnect with nature, contemplate time passing, and find inner peace. Their timeless beauty and enduring significance remind us of the importance of harmony, balance, and reverence for nature. Whether wandering through the classical gardens of Suzhou or exploring modern interpretations in urban landscapes, the elegance of Chinese gardens continues to captivate and will inspire generations to come.