Ke Yuan

Ke Yuan is a classical Chinese garden in Suzhou featuring multiple pavilions arranged around a central lotus pond. The space integrates rock formations, winding pathways, and water channels into a carefully composed whole.

The garden was built in the late Qing Dynasty during the 19th century and later served as home to the Suzhou Library in the early 20th century. This shift shows how such spaces adapted to serve changing community needs over time.

The garden embodies principles of Suzhou garden design, where every stone, water channel, and pavilion is positioned to create balance and harmony. Visitors experience this philosophy firsthand while walking through the courtyards and observing how buildings frame the landscape.

The garden is easily walkable with paths arranged in a logical flow that guides visitors naturally through the space. Plan to spend time exploring the quieter corners and side courtyards to fully appreciate the layout.

The garden sits directly across from the Blue Wave Pavilion, making it easy to visit both sites during the same outing. This nearby location allows visitors to compare two different interpretations of classical garden design in one day.