Humble Administrator's Garden

Introduction to Humble Administrator's Garden (拙政园)

The Humble Administrator's Garden (or Zhuozheng Yuan) is one of four great Chinese gardens that has a long Suzhou history. It is the largest garden in Suzhou as 51,950 m² and generally considered as the finest garden in southern China. In 1997, Zhuozheng Yuan, along with other classical gardens of Suzhou was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The garden is divided into three sections - the eastern, middle and the western sections. The middle part is the gem of the garden with clear water, various shaped stones and mountains, elegant buildings and leafy old trees and colorful flowers. When stepping into the garden, you will find a lake of peaceful water and many parasols and ancient cypresses near the bank. 

To the opposite of the pond is the main building Hall of Distant Fragrance (Yuanxiang Tang). The building is beautifully designed, and the reflection of the pavilions, trees and flowers just make up a beautiful picture. And you may just imagine that you are walking through 3D Chinese painting.

The Humble Administrator's Garden is a wonderful place to understanding the Chinese culture. It is also a place for visitors to enjoy Chinese arts, architecture, calligraphy, carving, and painting. Nearly 60 percent of the Humble Administrator’s Garden is devoted to water. The natural landscape of the grounds, once home to the Da Hong monastery, was originally covered with ponds. When Wang Xianchen first laid out the grounds, he did so with the original topography in mind, resulting in a garden that even today seems to float on water.

Location

No.178 Dongbei Street, Gusu District, Suzhou

Main Sights

Hall of Distant Fragrance, Orchid and Snow Hall, Lotus Pavilion, 18 Camellias Hall

Travel Information

Admission Fee: 70 Yuan
Opening Hours: 7:30AM - 5:30PM

Transportation 

1. Take buses 55, 178, 202, 262, 309, 518, 529, 811, 923 or 925 getting off at Suzhou Museum stop.

Travel Tips 

1. Try to avoid visiting during the summer holidays and Golden Week in October. There are many tour groups and local tourists during national holidays.