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Friday, 20 December 2013 12:02
Couple's Retreat Garden, Couple's Retreat Garden Guide, Couple's Retreat Garden Travel Tips, Couple's Retreat Garden Travel Information.
Introducing Couple's Retreat Garden, Couple's Retreat Garden Guide, Couple's Retreat Garden Travel Guide
Edited by Hillary
The Couple's Garden Retreat is a fairly large garden divided into three parts--a central living area flanked by an east and west garden. The 0.8 hectare site is bordered on three sides by canals, with docks on the north and south sides permitting entrance from the waterways.
Couple's Retreat Garden was first laid out in the early Qing period as the pleasure garden of Baoning prefect Lu Jingzhi. In 1874, Shen Bingcheng, the governor of Susong County in Anhui, acquired Couple's Retreat Garden and expanded it to its present size. In 1941, Liu Guojun, an industrialist from Changzhou, bought Couple's Retreat Garden and spent several years renovating it. In 1955, upon Liu's instruction, Tao Shunan, the Manager of the Zhenya Silk Weaving Mill, donated Couple's Retreat Garden to Suzhou city. Couple's Retreat Garden is currently registered as a World Heritage site.
Couple's Retreat Garden is divided into two parts, western garden and eastern garden. Western garden is peaceful, serene and simplicity, both reading and working here are able to be achieved. Eastern garden is the essence of the whole garden. Mountains and lakes as the main sceneries, with pavilions and galleries surrounded, the overall distribution of eastern garden is of excellence.
Quick Facts on Couple's Retreat Garden
• Name: Couple's Retreat Garden
• Location: Downtown Suzhou
• Phone: +86-512-67272717
• Date: Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
• Best Time to Visit: March to May
• Recommended Time for a Visit: 1-2 Hours
• Opening Hours: 7:30-17:00
• Admission Fee: CNY 25 (Apr 16 to Oct 30); CNY 20 (Oct 31 to Apr 15)
Published in
Suzhou Attractions Guide
Friday, 20 December 2013 12:01
Lion Grove Garden, Lion Grove Garden Guide, Lion Grove Garden Travel Tips, Blue Wave Pavilion Travel Information.
Introducing Suzhou Lion Grove Garden, Suzhou Lion Grove Garden Guide, Suzhou Lion Grove Garden Travel Guide
Article from China Internet Information Center
Suzhou Lion Grove Garden is located at 23 Yuanlin Road, in the northeast of Suzhou. Suzhou Lion Grove Garden is one of the four most famous and representative classic gardens in Suzhou (the other three being the Surging Wave Pavilion, Lingering Garden and Humble Administrator's Garden).
Built in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) by Monk Tianru and a group of Buddhists of the Zen Sect, in the memory of High Monk Zhongfeng, Suzhou Lion Grove Garden has been changed hands and renamed several times. It was first given the name of Lion Grove, as the grotesque rocks of its man-made hill resembled lions. Later, in 1342, its name was changed to Puti Temple. Suzhou Lion Grove Garden was a popular center for Buddhist, as well as literary activities. Many scholars created their paintings or lines after being inspired by the garden.
After Monk Tianru's death, his disciples were dismissed. Suzhou Lion Grove Garden was abandoned and became dilapidated. In 1589 of the Ming Dynasty, Monk Mingxing rebuilt the garden and temple with donations he had collected. During the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the two parts were separated. Huang Xingzu, the governor of Hengzhou, bought the garden and renamed it She Garden. His son, Huang Xi gave it a new name -- Five-Pine Garden in 1771, after a major renovation was carried out. The garden was again left in ruins due to the Huang family’s bankruptcy, until it was purchased by the Bei family in 1917. After the founding of the People’s Republic, the garden was donated to the government. From then on, Suzhou Lion Grove Garden has been under good protection.
Covering an area of about 1.1 hectares, Suzhou Lion Grove Garden is an ideal site for sightseeing as it has richly ornamental pavilions and towers in different styles, each having its own history and story. Zhenquting (True Delight Pavilion) is the most magnificent in Suzhou Lion Grove Garden. Built in royal architectural style, it has a horizontal board inscribed by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, who visited the gardens six times. Lixuetang (Standing-in-Snow Hall) was named according to a Buddhist story which tells how a devoted Zen adherent stood in snow for a whole night to worship his master monk. Wenmeige (Pavilion for Greeting the Plum Blossoms) was a place where painters and poets gathered. In addition to the plum trees around the pavilion, all the furniture and utensils inside are all decorated or carved with designs of beautiful plum blossoms. Furthermore, many rare tablets and steles, paintings and calligraphy works are kept in Lion Grove Garden. Among them are precious Ming-dynasty artworks such as "Panoramic View by Ni Yunlin and the "Twelve Scenic Spots in Lion Grove Garden" by Xu Ben.
A representative garden of the Yuan Dynasty, the most noted attraction of the Suzhou Lion Grove Garden is the labyrinthine rockery made of limestone from the Taihu Lake. Rocks in this "Kingdom of Rockery" are piled up skillfully and ingeniously, and most of them look like lions in different postures and verves: playing, roaring, fighting, sleeping, or even dancing. It is said that in the past, looking north from Xiaofangting (Small Square Hall), one could see nine stone lions standing in a row and that is the Nine-Lion Peak. Due to the changes and ravages of the time and the erosion of elements, the peak now only bears little resemblance to lions.
Quick Facts on Suzhou Lion Grove Garden
• Name: Suzhou Lion Grove Garden
• Location: Downtown Suzhou
• Phone: +86-512-67773263
• Date: Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)
• Best Time to Visit: March to May
• Recommended Time for a Visit: 1-2 Hours
• Opening Hours: 7:30-17:30 (March 1 to October 15); 7:30-17:00 (October 16 to the next Feb 30)
• Admission Fee: CNY 40 (Apr 1 to May 31, July 1 to Oct 31); CNY 30 (Jan 1 to Mar 31, June 1 to 30, Nov 1 to Dec 31)
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Suzhou Attractions Guide
Friday, 20 December 2013 12:01
Blue Wave Pavilion, Blue Wave Pavilion Guide, Blue Wave Pavilion Travel Tips, Blue Wave Pavilion Travel Information.
Introducing Suzhou Blue Wave Pavilion, Suzhou Blue Wave Pavilion Guide, Suzhou Blue Wave Pavilion Travel Guide
Article from China Internet Information Center
Suzhou Blue Wave Pavilion, also called Canglang Pavilion, is located in the southern part of Suzhou, and is one of the four most famous gardens of the city. Suzhou Blue Wave Pavilion is the oldest of the Suzhou gardens that can be traced back to the Northern Song Dynasty (906-1127).
During that part of history, a scholar Su Shunqing was demoted and sent to Suzhou. He bought the garden and built Suzhou Blue Wave Pavilion in a setting adjacent to water that was on the property that would enhance the beauty of the garden. The garden was then named Canglang Pavilion in honor of his namesake, Canglang Wong.
Unlike other gardens, Suzhou Blue Wave Pavilion emphasizes the harmony between man made buildings and the natural environment. Before entering the garden, you can see beautiful scenery composed of a green water pool that is surrounded by a growth of weeping willows.
In Suzhou Blue Wave Pavilion, you will see incredible man made rock formations that are divided into two parts. On the eastern side, the earth has been mixed with natural yellow stones and built in such a manner that it resembles a natural hill. On the western side, exquisite stones from the lake have been used to create another naturally appearing hill. Both of these rock formations have been planted with green trees and viridian bamboos that add to the beauty of the scene and create the sensation of walking in a primitive mountain forest. There are also winding corridors with pavilions that link the hills and pools together. As you walk along these corridors that follows a path alongside the unique stone formations and strategically planted ancient trees, it seems as if you were walking in a primitive forest. The architectures that have been built in Suzhou Blue Wave Pavilion are simply and classically designed which present a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) style.
Quick Facts on Suzhou Blue Wave Pavilion
• Name: Suzhou Blue Wave Pavilion
• Location: Downtown Suzhou
• Phone: +86-512-65194375
• Date: Northern Song Dynasty (906-1127)
• Best Time to Visit: All year
• Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 Hour
• Opening Hours: 7:30-17:30 (Apr 21 to Oct 20); 7:30-17:00 (Oct 21 to the next Apr 20)
• Admission Fee: CNY 20 (Apr 1 to May 31, July 1 to Oct 31); CNY 15 (Jan 1 to Mar 31, June 1 to 30, Nov 1 to Dec 31)
Published in
Suzhou Attractions Guide
Friday, 20 December 2013 11:59
Lingering Garden, Lingering Garden, Lingering Garden Travel Tips, Lingering Garden Travel Information.
Introducing Lingering Garden, Lingering Garden Guide, Lingering Garden Travel Guide
Article from China Internet Information Center
Located outside the Changmen Gate of Suzhou, a tourist city in east China's Jiangsu Province, the Lingering Garden is one of the four most famed gardens in China. Covering an area of 23,300 square meters, the stunning garden was originally built in 1593 by Xu Taishi, a Ming official, to serve as his private residence. In 1997, the garden, together with the other classic gardens in Suzhou, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lingering Garden, resembling a long scroll of traditional Chinese painting, is noted for its exquisite layout of various elements including halls, ancestral temples, private gardens, rockeries, covered walks, walls, ponds and plants. Lingering Garden is divided into the central, eastern, northern and western parts, with each part focusing on a different theme. The central part, known as the oldest and most important part of the garden, features marvelous lakeside scenes with a fabulous artificial mountain; the eastern part showcases elegant buildings and garden courts; the western part displays enthralling forested hills and rockeries; and the northern part boasts an idyllic pastoral scenery with cute cottages enclosed by bamboo fences.
Quick Facts on Lingering Garden
• Name: Lingering Garden
• Location: Wujiang District
• Dates: Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
• Best Time to Visit: January to March, June, November and December
• Phone: +86-512-65579466
• Best Time to Visit: All year
• Recommended Time for a Visit: 3 Hours
• Opening Hours: 7:30-17:00
• Admission Fee: CNY 40 (Apr 16 to Oct 30); CNY 30 (Oct 31 to the next Apr 15)
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Suzhou Attractions Guide
Friday, 20 December 2013 11:58
Hanshan Temple, Hanshan Temple, Hanshan Temple Travel Tips, Hanshan Temple Travel Information.
Introducing Suzhou Hanshan Temple, Suzhou Hanshan Temple Guide, Suzhou Hanshan Temple Travel Guide
Article from Asian Historical Architecture
Suzhou Hanshan Temple is just to the south of Maple bridge over the old Grand Canal. Its name means Cold Mountain Temple, after the abbot Hanshan "Cold Mountain" who managed the temple in the Tang Dynasty. Suzhou Hanshan Temple was originally founded during the rule of Emperor Tianjian of the Liang dynasty (502-557) but none of the buildings survive from that era. The sights here include a hall of 500 arhats, the main Hall of Great Treasure, and a five-story pagoda that is of more recent construction than the rest of the temple.
Suzhou Hanshan Temple is often mentioned in ancient literature, as in the poem "Mooring to the Maple Bridge at Night" written by Zhang Ji of the Tang Dynasty. Nowadays Suzhou Hanshan Temple has become famous for the annual "tolling of the bells" on New Year's Eve that attracts thousands of worshipers. 108 bells are rung to pray for luck and happiness in the coming year.
Quick Facts on Suzhou Hanshan Temple
• Name: Suzhou Hanshan Temple
• Location: 5 km west of Suzhou
• Phone: +86-512-67236213
• Date: Liang dynasty (502-557)
• Best Time to Visit: All year
• Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 Hour
• Opening Hours: 7:30-17:00
• Admission Fee: CNY 20
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Suzhou Attractions Guide
Friday, 20 December 2013 11:55
Tiger Hill, Tiger Hill Guide, Tiger Hill Travel Tips, Tiger Hill Travel Information.
Tiger Hill: General Information
Lying to the west of the ancient city of Suzhou with a history of over 2,500 years, the Tiger Hill has the reputation of being No.1 Sight of the Wu (ancient name of Jiangsu province) region. "It would be a loss if you miss the Tiger Hill in your visit to Suzhou," said the Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo. There are three ideal vantage points and nine different ways of enjoying the sights of the hill under nine different weather conditions. 36 meters in height, Tiger Hill is famous for its sheer cliffs and deep ravines. The Sword Pond conceals the secrets of the Tomb of King Wu with his valuable swords. At the top of the hill stands the Learning Tower of Suzhou, a brick pagoda dating from the 2nd year of Jianlong reign of the Northern Song Dynasty and serving as the landmark of the ancient city. There are beautiful legends about the Hall of Broken Beam, the Sword Testing Stone, the Thousand Men's Rock, the Nodding Stone, and other historical relics.
Tiger Hill Travel Tips
Phone: 0512-67232305
Admission Fee: CNY60 from Apr 16 to Oct 30; CNY40 from Nov 01 to Apr 15, next year
Opening Hours: 07:30-18:00
Published in
Suzhou Attractions Guide
Friday, 20 December 2013 11:54
Tongli Water Town, Tongli Water Town Guide, Tongli Water Town Travel Tips, Tongli Water Town Travel Information.
Introducing Tongli Water Town, Tongli Water Town Guide, Tongli Water Town Travel Guide
Article from Suzhou Municipal Commission of Tourism
Being an ancient township, Tong Li borders on Tongli Lake on the east, Nanxin Lake on the south, adjoins Pangshan Lake on the west, Jiuli Lake on the north and Wusong Jiang River on the northwest. The town proper is divided by the streams into 7 islets interlaced with the surrounding water area, forming typical water county of the south.
With a network of lakes and waterways, Tongli Water Town has not suffered from war since it was inaccessible in the old times. Therefore more ancient buildings are preserved, among which we can still enjoy the following scenic spots the Moon Viewing at the East Stream, the Misty South Market at Dawn, the Night Crossing at the West ferry, the Spring Sight in the North Hill, the Fishermen's Flute in the Water Village and the Misty Bamboo of the Chan Hill. The traditional houses densely settle on the sides of the fine banks piled by Jinshan Stone, and winding alleys and streets paved with pebble stones still keep the ancient appearance. There are 24 bridges at the intersection of waterways. The Siben Bridge built in the Southern Song dynasty is simple and archaic. The Fu'guan Bridge built in the Yuan dynasty is grandiose.
Tongli Water Town is rich in culture. In the long run of its history, Tongli Water Town was once famed for its achievements in the imperial examinations and has produced famous cofucianists and notables. About 40 stone tablets of different periods have been well preserved and a quite number of its steets and alleys are named after the official titles such as Zhuang-yuan Street, Tongzhi Street, etc.
In the township of Tongli , the Ming an Qing buildings occupy four tenths of the total, among which there are grand as-many-as-nine-row houses, small exquisite courtyards and gardens. The gateway with the brick carving of Zhu Family and the wood carving of the Chong Ben Hall &Jia Yin Hall are extremely exquisite. The Yan-yi Building in the court of the Geng-le Hall is wrought so elegantly that it is like swallow flapping its wings. Huan Xiu Ge has two stories. If you remove the first floor board, fishes can be seen swimming in the clear pond beneath, full of vitality.
Lying in the township of Tongli , the Garden of Quiet Meditation was built by Ren Lansheng in 1886AD, the 11th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing dynasty, after he was discharged from office. “ When in office, one should be loyal to the emperor, when away from office, one should meditate upon his previous faults.”---- It was the motto of the officials in imperial times. Hence the name “the Garden of Quiet Meditation”.
The garden covers an area of 10 mu. The western part is for dwelling, including 3 rows : sedan hall, tea hall and th main hall. There is also a spacious bedroom for the womenfolk. The eastern part is composed of the exterior and interior gardens. The whole construction shows no over-elaboration and reflects the peculiar architectural form of the late Qing dynasty. The 3 sides but the north of the exterior garden are halls for meeting or entertaining guests. Outside the exterior garden are pines, bamboos, wintersweet and artificial stalagmite. Inside in the courtyard is a eastward land boat, a rendezvous of the guests. The stern is combined with lattice windows and veranda. The northern side of the courtyard is the “ Viewing Moon Loft”, from where the host together with his guests hummed verses and responded each other with poems in the quiet moonlight. In the interior garden, the pavilions, terraces, boudoirs, the winding causeways and corridors and the rockeries all surround the pond or lie close to the water, giving an illusion of floating on the water.
Although small in size, the Garden of Quiet Meditation embraces all the rockeries, ponds, buildings, vines, trees, flowers and plants that exist in the classical gardens south of the Yantze River. Furthermore, one can enjoy the scenes of the four seasons and those of guqin, chess, calligraphy and drawing. The whole garden, with the moderate and exquisite layout, amiable scenery, exhibits rich artistic flavors.
Quick Facts on Tongli Water Town
Name: Tongli Water Town
Location: Wujiang District
Dates: Song Dynasty ( 960 - 1279)
Best Time to Visit: April to October
Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 Hours
Opening Hours: All Day; 07:30 - 17:30 ( Scenic Spot ); 18；00 - 21:00 ( Weekends in Summertime)
Admission Fee: Free; CNY 10 for Each Scenic Spot
Rowboat: CNY 90
Published in
Suzhou Attractions Guide
Friday, 20 December 2013 11:53
Zhouzhuang Water Town, Zhouzhuang Water Town Guide, Zhouzhuang Water Town Travel Tips, Zhouzhuang Water Town Travel Information.
Introducing Zhouzhuang Water Town, Zhouzhuang Water Town Guide, Zhouzhuang Water Town Travel Guide
Article from UNESCO
Zhouzhuang Water Town lies to the east of the Grand Canal, and is encircled by Jishui River, its ancient sluiceway. The stone wares, wooden wells, remains of ancient animals, and rice seeds excavated at Liangzhu Site in Taishidian, which lies to the north of the town, indicate traces of human activities that dated back to 5,000-6,000 years ago. Driven by social and economic progress, Zhouzhuang Water Town was founded in 1086, and the name Zhouzhuang has been used ever since.
Located in the basin of Suzhou section of the Grand Canal, Zhouzhuang Water Town enjoys a favourable geographic environment, with a well developed watercourse system. Since the 12th century, when ancient residents of the town connected Jishui River with the Grand Canal, Yangtze River and its sluiceways, Zhouzhuang Water Town has become a socio-economic centre for trade in daily necessities and social intercourses. Since the 13th century, Zhouzhuang Water Town, surrounded by important areas of crops and cotton production and fishery, has been a crucial centre for trade in staple food, cotton cloth, and handicrafts. As rich merchants and men of letters came to settle down in large numbers, waterside structures sprouted, such as arch bridges with stone rails, large houses with spacious courtyards, arcades over streets, riverside galleries and pavilions, and revetment steps, creating an environment for the townspeople to be in harmony with nature. As self-initiated protection has been going on continuously, Zhouzhuang Water Town has retained its original appearance, with its shaped river system, traditional layout of constructions, and unsophisticated folk customs. Zhouzhuang Water Town provides important data for research into ancient waterfront towns.
Quick Facts on Zhouzhuang Water Town
• Name: Zhouzhuang Water Town
• Location: 30 km southeast of Suzhou
• Phone: +86-512-57217206
• Best Time to Visit: March to May; September to November
• Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 Hours
• Opening Hours: All day
• Admission Fee: CNY 100 (Daytime Ticket); CNY 80 (Night Ticket)
• Boat: CNY 120 for six people
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Suzhou Attractions Guide
Friday, 20 December 2013 11:52
Panmen City Gate, Panmen City Gate Guide, Panmen City Gate Travel Tips, Panmen City Gate Travel Information.
Suzhou Panmen Scenic Area: General Information
The Panmen Gate Scenic Area, located by a remaining section of the original city wall, chiefly consists of the Pagoda of Auspicious Light, the Land & Water Gates, and Wumen Bridge, the three historical relics under the state, provincial and municipal protection respectively. Panmen, being one of the eight land and water gates of the Grand City of He Lu built by Wu Zixu in the Spring and Autumn Period and having gone through all the vicissitudes for over 2500 years, is the only well-preserved ancient city gate of Suzhou today. Prof. Chen Congzhou, a famous classical architect, having ascended the Panmen Gate quite a few times, left his favorable comment that reads: "While there is a magnificent Great Wall in the north, there is the charming Panmen Gate in the south." A unique specimen of its kind, the ancient Panmen Gate has become the symbol of the ancient city of Suzhou, and has twice been selected as the subject matter of China's postage stamp and postcard.
The ancient land and water gates, the mysterious millennium-old pagoda, and the Wumen Bridge spanning the time-honored Grand Canal, echo with each other and form a delightful contrast, affording a quaint and wonderful sight of this water land in the southern Yangtze Delta. A visit to the Panmen Scenic Area will certainly reinforce one's impression of Suzhou's culture and history.
Suzhou Panmen Scenic Area Travel Tips
Admission Fee: CNY25
Opening Hours: 08:00-17:30
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Suzhou Attractions Guide
Friday, 20 December 2013 11:50
Garden of Master of Nets, Garden of Master of Nets Guide, Garden of Master of Nets Travel Tips, Garden of Master of Nets Travel Information.
Garden of Master of Nets: General Information
Originally known as the Fisherman's Retreat, Garden of Master of Nets was laid out under the southern Song Dynasty, and was renamed the Master-of-Nets Garden in Qianglong reign under the Qing Dynasty. The outstanding feature of this small but elegant garden lies in the harmonious combination of living quarters with the landscape garden. The central pond, along with the surrounding roofed walkways and pavilions decorated with trees, flowers and rockery, is a typical embodiment of the classical idea of "a small world reflecting a bigger one" and "the few surpassing the many". There are scenes beyond scenes, and gardens within the garden. Many buildings are perfectly spaced in good proportion instead of being crammed. Based on illusion, the garden is full of change, achieving a unity of part and whole. The Master-of-Nets Garden serves to illustrate how the few surpasses the many and it has become a masterpiece of classical gardens.
Garden of Master of Nets Travel Tips
Admission Fee: CNY30 from Apr 16 to Oct 30; CNY20 from Nov 01 to Apr 15, Next Year
Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00
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