Suzhou - City of Gardens

links and experiences around the Suzhou area

Suzhou Gardens
Suzhou is China's well-known "city of gardens", which tops all others in both the number and the artistry of gardens. Dating from Pi Jiang Garden of the Eastern Jing Dynasty, Suzhou's art of gardening has undergone a history of 1,500 years. There were once over 200 gardens in the city, and 69 of them are still in good preservation today. The concept of Suzhou classical gardens has gone beyond the city limits, since it generally refers to all those private gardens built in the regions south of the Yangtze

Suzhou city enjoys great reputation of long standing for its gardens, temples and historical sites, which have formed a solid foundation for tourism, Suzhou has been on the list of "Top Ten Scenic Wonders" in China. The natural scenery of hills and waters in Suzhou is as charming as a delicate beauty. Suzhou is an ancient and beautiful water-front city, is sometimes known as "Oriental Venice" of the whole area, 10 per cent is cultivated fields, 30 per cent hills, and the rest covered with water. Streets and alleys in Suzhou extend side by side with canals. Small bridges and flowing waters, white walls and dark gray roof tiles match one another in tranquil elegance. As a poem describes, "On arriving in Suzhou you behold: Houses are all pillowed on water's edge." The gentle waters make the prominent urban scenery.

The Suzhou gardens originated from the desire to retire from the strife of officialdom and to shun from worldly affairs. It seeks the return to Nature and the cultivation of temperament. In Taoist philosophy and the refinement of culture underlies the theme of the garden. Hills and waters, flowers and trees, pavilions, terraces, towers and halls constitute the basic garden elements, while the prominent tone is expressed in the dark colour of roof tiles, the grey of bricks, and chestnut brown of wooden pillars.

Suzhou-style Bonsai
Suzhou-style the main school of Bonsai in China, is proud of its long history, unique traditional technique, natural style, colorful production effect and enjoys its high praise far and wide. Many Bonsai are displayed within the gardens, the best are to be found in Mountain Villa with Ten Thousand Sceneries in Tiger Hill Scenic Area, Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden in Suzhou.

The Suzhou Gardens Administration Bureau
Can help and advise visitors, they have their own web site and can be contacted via email.
Address: Gongyuan Road 12, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China, 215006
Telephone: 0086-512-5219953 Fax: 0086-512-5223937
Email: szgarden@public1.sz.js.cn

Tree Stone Hill House - Suzhou
Natural and pure, they are the results caused by the force of Nature, which God bestows, they become works of art. There are all kinds of strange and beautiful stones in the Tree Stone Hill House shop which mainly sells Lingbi, Taihu, Ying & Kun stones.
Address: Suzhou, Renmin Road No.45, PRC. Tel/Fax: 0086-512-5232471

Jing Guan Rare Stone Gallery - Suzhou
Suzhou is the birth place of China's Refined Stones. The tenderly of admiring stones, worshipping stones, loving stones and writing articles about stones are quite prevailing in China since ancient time. Jing Guan Rare Stones Gallery is the first stone center in Suzhou which embodies admiring, artistic, collection and scientific qualities. We are sincere to provide a better place for stone lovers to talk about stones

Jing Guan Landscape Gardening Enterprise - Professor Zhang Yi - Suzhou

 

Jinshan Park - Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province
Zhenjiang is located in the rich and beautiful Yangtze delta. It is situated in the middle of Jiangsu Province, on the south shores of the lower reaches of the Yangtze river. It has Nanjing (the capital of Jiangsu province) to its west and Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou to its east. Yangzhou is across the river to the north. It enjoys a high reputation for its beautiful landscape. It is one of the most important cities for tourism in China. Zhenjiang is also famous for its rich cultural and historical relics. Among the scenic spots in Zhenjiang, Jinshan Mountain, Jiaoshan Mountain, Beigushan Mountain and Nanshan Mountain are well known for their unique attractions.

At Jinshan Park, stairs through a Buddhist temple lead up to the octagonal Cishou Pagoda. Visitors are astonished by the bright colors of the detailed paintings found in the temples. Four caves in the mountain can be visited: Buddhist Sea, White Dragon, Morning Sun and Arhat. The park and two of the caves are associated with the Chinese fairy tale "The Story of the White Snake". Jiaoshan Park, also known as Jade Hill, is located on a nice little island of the Yangtze river, close to the north shores of Zhenjiang. Pavillions offer visitors restful stops on the way to the top of Xijiang tower. From there, visitors will have a great view over the Yangze. At the base of the hill there is a stone garden with engravings and Penjing trees, better known in English as Bonsai trees.

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