As famous as the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden(留园) has a history of over 400 years. Lingering Garden is the best preserved among all the Suzhou gardens. The garden was first built in 1583 of by Xu Taishi, an official of the Ming court, as his private living place. After expanded and renovated for several times, it has the new face what it looks today.
Covering an area of 33,000 square meters, Lingering Garden was divided into four parts: eastern, central, northern and western parts. The central part, which has the longest history and is the essence of the Lingering Garden, is the original location of former Hanbi Mountain Villa, which was centered by the Guangchi Pond, with rockeries to its west and north part and buildings to its south.
The architectural structures take up one third of the garden which mainly gathers in the eastern part. Entering this area, you will see that doors are open upon doors and courtyards are linked with windows without glass panes, gateways and covered corridors.
The western part is features for the idyllic artificial hill of giant proportions. In hot summer, the sun is screened off by the shade of trees, and in late autumn, the hill covered by red maple leaves is as beautiful as brocades.
When entering the northern part, you are wondering about its rural scenery. It is covered by a large number of bamboos, plum peach and apricot trees and Youyi Village.
In 1997, the Lingering Garden has been listed as the World Cultural Heritage List by the UNESCO.
Ticket Price: 40RMB(on season); 30RMB (off season)
Opening Time: 07:30-17:00
Telephone: 0512-65517340
How to get there: No.11, Tourism Bus No.1 and 2.
Updated by Sophie
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