Travel to Suzhou in South China, which is located in the center of the Yangtze Delta region and enjoys agreeable weather all year round. It is sometimes referred to as ‘Venice of the Orient’ because of the many lakes and canals that cover almost half the land; the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal runs down its center. Visitors are drawn to the city because of the beauty, historic charm and modern conveniences like serviced apartments. In Suzhou, there are ancient backstreets and canals to explore as well as beautifully landscaped gardens.
The classical gardens of Suzhou have been named some of the most beautiful in the world. Many of them were created thousands of year ago, during the Ming Dynasty but maintain their beauty and design to this day. The Humble Administrator’s Garden, a short hop from Ascott Midtown Suzhou, is the largest and most famous among the gardens of Suzhou; it covers fifty two thousand square metres.
The Humble Administrator’s Garden replaced the ruins of a residence and a Taoist temple that once stood on the same site. It was designed and landscaped in 1509 as a private garden by Wang Xianchen, a government servant. Unfulfilled in his profession, Wang decided to turn to a simple life of gardening. He named the garden using his perception of himself. It is inspired by the surrounding environment and features small clusters of trees, forests, hills, tranquil ponds and rock formations. There are also pavilions, halls and parlours, from which one can look out over the lawns. The garden is divided up into the eastern, central and western sections. The residences of some of the former owners are also located on the premises. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is a fine example of the Ming Dynasty’s architecture and design.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+
