Classical Gardens of Suzhou

The Classical Gardens of Suzhou are historic garden complexes in the city featuring carefully designed ponds, bridges, and pavilions. These gardens spread across multiple locations throughout the area.

These gardens began in the Song Dynasty during the 11th century and grew through the Ming and Qing periods until the 19th century. This long development shaped the diverse collection that exists today.

The gardens reflect Chinese philosophy through the placement of rocks, water, and buildings that represent idealized natural landscapes. Visitors can experience these ideas while walking through carefully designed spaces.

The gardens are easy to visit, as the city has good train connections from Shanghai and other locations. Guided tours are available year-round in multiple languages to help you get the most from your visit.

The collection includes a significant number of preserved gardens, some of which along with one in Tongli received UNESCO World Heritage designation. This selection shows different garden styles that developed in the region.

Location: Suzhou

GPS coordinates: 31.32667,120.62556

Latest update: December 7, 2025 09:26