The Lion Grove Garden in Suzhou
The Lion Grove Garden is a classical garden in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China, located at No. 23 Yuanlin Road in the northeastern corner of the Suzhou city area, covering an area of 11,120 square meters. The Lion Grove Garden is one of the four famous gardens in Suzhou and represents the Dai garden style. It is also the only remaining example of China's early grotto-style rockery groups and is known as the "Kingdom of Rockeries".
The Lion Grove Garden not only has the cultural landscape of pavilions, terraces, towers, attics, halls, and galleries that are typical of Suzhou classical gardens but is also world-famous for its lake and mountain rocks and deep and secluded grottoes, earning the reputation of the "Kingdom of Rockeries". The rockeries of the Lion Grove Garden are both numerous and exquisite, with the lake rocks being delicate, the grottoes winding, and the paths twisting and turning as if entering a maze, known as the "Eighteen Scenes of the Peach Blossom Land". The tops of the grottoes are lined with strange peaks and rocks, all resembling dancing lions, with famous peaks such as Huanhui, Tuyue, Xuan Yu, and Ang Xia.
"The best place in the city is the Lion Grove, where one seeks the light rain and gentle breeze." Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited Jiangnan six times and held the Lion Grove Garden in high esteem, inscribing poems to praise its beauty and twice bestowing the words "True Interest", reflecting his unique fondness for the Lion Grove Garden. Although the Lion Grove Garden is small, only 16 acres, roughly one-fifth the size of the Humble Administrator's Garden, it is world-famous for its lake rockeries. The rockeries in the garden are majestic, with ingenious designs and cleverly winding grottoes. In the rockery forest, one can clearly see the pavilion ahead, but after turning around, it seems impossible to find the way out, as if entering a labyrinth, which is really interesting! The garden, which is over 600 years old, has been visited by so many people that the rocks have been polished smooth and shiny, and the stone steps are slippery. Elderly people and children must be careful when visiting on rainy days.
The garden design, pavilions and pavilions of the lion forest, and the flower layout are a must. Watching many handsome men and beautiful women in ancient costumes taking pictures, as if returning to ancient times.
Lion Forest Garden (狮子林), located in Suzhou, China, is one of the city's famous classical gardens. Built in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty, the garden is renowned for its intricate rock formations resembling lions, hence its name. Covering about 1.1 hectares, it features pavilions, ponds, and winding pathways that showcase traditional Chinese garden design. The garden's unique layout and artistic elements make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction.
The Lion Forest Garden, or Shizilin (狮子林), is one of the renowned classical gardens located in Suzhou, China. It's famous for its intricate design featuring a maze-like arrangement of paths and rockeries that mimic the rugged and whimsical forms of a lion. Built during the Yuan Dynasty in 1342, this garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is celebrated for its beautiful pavilions, ponds, and traditional Chinese architecture, embodying the aesthetic principles of balance, harmony, and natural beauty central to Chinese garden design.
It's a lovely place to visit. A classic Suzhou garden and the housing that are attached to it. Well described historical markers and delightful examples of bonzai trees everywhere. Gorgeous stained glass windows. The rock garden was exquisite. As always, visiting during a national holiday is not recommended as it's insanely crowded.
The Lion Forest Garden, or Shizilin (狮子林), is one of the renowned classical gardens located in Suzhou, China. It's famous for its intricate design featuring a maze-like arrangement of paths and rockeries that mimic the rugged and whimsical forms of a lion. Built during the Yuan Dynasty in 1342, this garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is celebrated for its beautiful pavilions, ponds, and traditional Chinese architecture, embodying the aesthetic principles of balance, harmony, and natural beauty central to Chinese garden design.
It was a trip to Suzhou, China with friend and we visited Lion Forest Garden. The garden was beautiful and we really loving it.