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Suzhou's classical gardens
By UNESCO website |
July 31, 2011, Sunday
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Print Edition
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CLASSICAL Gardens of Suzhou are masterpieces of Chinese landscape garden design, integrating art, nature and philosophy in ensembles of beauty and harmony. They have been listed as UNESCO world heritage in 1997.
The largest and most famous is the Humble Administrator's Garden, one of China's four great classical gardens and considered the finest in southern China. It was the residence of a Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) scholar and has been the residence of many notables. Canglang Pavilion was built by the poet Su Sunqin in the early 11th century. During the Yuan and Ming dynasties (1279-1644) it became the Mystical Concealment Temple.
The Lion Forest Garden was created by disciples of the Zen Buddhist abbot Tianni in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) as the Budhi Orthodox Monastery. It contains 22 buildings, notably the Hall of Peace and Happiness in the Mandarin duck style.
The Garden of Cultivation from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) features a large central pond, with a mountain landscape to the south.
The Couple's Garden Retreat from the early 18th century features a dramatic East Garden dominated by a mountain of yellow stone rising from a pool. The West Garden features limestone hills pierced by interlinking caves and tunnels.
Others include the Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty, the Lingering Garden and the Garden of the Master of the Nest.
The largest and most famous is the Humble Administrator's Garden, one of China's four great classical gardens and considered the finest in southern China. It was the residence of a Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) scholar and has been the residence of many notables. Canglang Pavilion was built by the poet Su Sunqin in the early 11th century. During the Yuan and Ming dynasties (1279-1644) it became the Mystical Concealment Temple.
The Lion Forest Garden was created by disciples of the Zen Buddhist abbot Tianni in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) as the Budhi Orthodox Monastery. It contains 22 buildings, notably the Hall of Peace and Happiness in the Mandarin duck style.
The Garden of Cultivation from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) features a large central pond, with a mountain landscape to the south.
The Couple's Garden Retreat from the early 18th century features a dramatic East Garden dominated by a mountain of yellow stone rising from a pool. The West Garden features limestone hills pierced by interlinking caves and tunnels.
Others include the Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty, the Lingering Garden and the Garden of the Master of the Nest.
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