Situated in Suzhou, the Humble Administrator’s Garden is a heritage of the Ming dynasty. Constructed in 1509, it is an escape into an Eden-like environment laden with cultural relics and beautiful waterways.
Overview
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this garden is one of 4 famous gardens in China. The garden, spanning approximately 13 acres, encompasses three sections and residences of former owners. If you want to stay in central Suzhou, apartments and hotels can be easily found with the likes of Somerset Emerald City Suzhou among the options to choose from.
Eastern section
This 5-acre section encompasses wooden pavilions fringed by water and lush greenery. Notable sights include the Orchid and Snow Hall, Heavenly Spring Pavilion and the Lotus Pavilion. Check out the south wall of the Orchid Hall for a comprehensive map of the entire garden.
Western section
The highlight of this section is the main building, divided into two parts. The south side is called the 18 Camellias Hall, while the north side is called 36 Pairs of Mandarin Ducks Hall. The nearby pool features an octagon-shaped pagoda reflection pavilion. This section, spread across 2 acres, is a heavenly sight in both summer and winter.
Central section
Considered the elite section of the garden, one-third of this 3-acre landscape is covered by water. The Hall of Distant Fragrance is the main building, deriving its name from the lotus pool nearby. Another attraction is the Small Flying Rainbow Bridge.
