Oriental aesthetics in Suzhou gardens

 "The gardens of Jiangnan are the best in the world, and the gardens of Suzhou are the best in Jiangnan." This long-standing praise perfectly encapsulates the supreme status of Suzhou gardens among classical Chinese gardens. This small world nestled within the city of Suzhou, with its unique garden-making art, seamlessly blends natural beauty with literati sentiment, becoming a classic model of "poetic living" in the hearts of the Chinese people. Whether it's the blooming flowers of spring, the lotus breeze of summer, the fragrance of osmanthus in autumn, or the snowscape of winter, Suzhou gardens always showcase the unique elegance and gentleness of Jiangnan in different ways.

                                                                 Source: Yuyuan Graden

The Humble Administrator's Garden

As the largest and most renowned garden in Suzhou, the Humble Administrator's Garden is known as the "Mother of Chinese Gardens." Its design philosophy centers on "nature," with over 30 acres of water occupying one-third of the garden's area, forming its soul. A gentle breeze stirs the shimmering water, reflecting the pavilions, terraces, and weeping willows along the banks; the interplay of reality and illusion seems to encapsulate the entire landscape of Jiangnan within this single space.

The "Little Flying Rainbow" covered bridge within the garden is one of its iconic features. The carvings on the wooden pillars remain clearly visible despite a century of weathering. The open space beneath the bridge provides shelter from the wind and rain while offering panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. The fan-shaped windows cleverly frame the distant rockery and lotus flowers, creating a dynamic natural painting and achieving the garden's effect of "changing scenery with every step, evoking emotions at every turn." Furthermore, the moss on the bluestone path, the dew on the banana leaves in the corner, and the withered lotus beside the "Listening to the Rain Pavilion"—these subtle details all exude the vitality of nature and the elegance of literati. Without deliberate embellishment, they fully demonstrate the understated and dynamic beauty of Eastern aesthetics.

                                                                   Source: Visual China

Lingering Garden 

If the Humble Administrator's Garden is a "grand and beautiful" natural landscape, then the Lingering Garden is a "small and exquisite" model of refinement. Although less than half the size of the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden creates rich layers and artistic conception within its limited space. The "Crown Cloud Peak" within the garden is considered a masterpiece of Taihu stone, standing approximately 6.5 meters tall. Its stone exhibits the typical characteristics of being "lean, wrinkled, porous, and translucent," with patterns that seem to conceal mountains, waters, clouds, and mist. Visitors who pause to admire it always glean different imaginings and charms from it.

                                                         Source: Lingering Garden in Suzhou

The "windows" of the Lingering Garden are also the essence of its garden art. The flower windows along the long corridors come in dozens of styles, including round "moon-shaped windows," diamond-shaped "ice-cracked windows," and fan-shaped "broken-branch windows." Each window is like a meticulously designed viewfinder, cleverly capturing the bamboo, rocks, flowers, and trees in the garden. Walking along the corridor and viewing the garden through the different flower windows is like flipping through a flowing picture book, with new surprises and discoveries on every page. 

 Lion Grove Garden

Unlike the exquisite Lingering Garden, the Lion Grove Garden centers on "fun," with its unique "artificial mountain maze" attracting countless visitors. The artificial mountain is constructed from thousands of Taihu stones, with caves within caves and paths within paths, creating a complex and intricate structure. Visitors wander through it, sometimes catching glimpses of the "narrow strip of sky" overhead, sometimes encountering uniquely shaped stone lions. Even when seemingly close, they often cannot find their way out, inadvertently rediscovering a long-lost sense of childlike wonder in the process of exploration and discovery. Climbing to the summit of the artificial mountain and overlooking the ponds and pavilions within the garden allows one to truly appreciate the Lion Grove Garden's unique charm of "fun hidden within the scenery."

                                                               Source: Lion Grove Garden

If you wish to escape the fast pace of the city and experience the unique charm of Eastern aesthetics, Suzhou gardens are an excellent choice. No need to rush; simply slow down, pause among the pavilions, listen to the rain under the eaves, and explore the artificial hills. In this poetic haven, you can encounter the most authentic elegance and gentleness of Jiangnan.

Reference

Visit the 500-year-old Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou and appreciate the beauty of Chinese gardens. (2021), Ren Z, https://www.ourchinastory.com/zh/2739

Lion Grove. (2022), Suzhou Municipal Bureau of Parks and Greenery, https://ylj.suzhou.gov.cn/szsylj/sjyc/201905/767dcf47765b40549969f1a6989c689c.shtml