Suzhou Garden

There are numerous Chinese gardens that are famous all over the world, but the Suzhou gardens are the most popular. The design of the Suzhou garden showcased a one of kind garden building that is quite amazing.

As an overview, the original garden was situated in Suzhou; it was built for the needs of King of Wu during 6^th century BC. The Pijiang Garden is best described as the initial private garden built in Suzhou based on historical records. The garden was built during the Eastern Jin dynasty. During the centuries that followed, numerous gardens were also built. It was during the Ming and Qing dynasties where Suzhou gardens gained popularity. It was during this time when the economy of Suzhou boomed, this allowed more people to build their own private gardens. Based on records, during this time period, around 200 gardens were built in Suzhou. Several of the gardens survived and they were carefully and scrupulously maintained. This gives the world a peek into the Chinese “earthly paradise”.

You have to take note that these private gardens where created in a limited space, the garden designers had to devise ways to make a limited space seem limitless. The design of the Suzhou gardens focuses on the natural world but in more artistic manner. They only use stones, plants, water and earth in these gardens. They would serve as the mountain ranges, bamboo forests and the flowing rivers. The Suzhou gardens were exclusively designed so that only a small part is seen at any given time. As you walk down the zigzag paths, you are exposed to a different environment every time you turn in every corner. The ideal Suzhou garden is designed to make a visitor feel that there is always an area left unexplored.

The structures and buildings found in the Suzhou gardens are purposely placed in a particular way that makes it appear as part of the natural environment. Every garden has small pavilions as well as large buildings in order to gratify the needs of the owner. Each building has a different function in every garden. The small pavilions were basically constructed on top of the artificial mountains in order to give the visitor an overall view of the entire garden while still concealing some of the aspects of the garden. Some of the pavilions were created to cater to the desires of the owner such as reading, creating art or a place to relax and view the scenery around as well as enjoying a cup of tea.

When it comes to the characteristics of the Suzhou gardens, you need to take note of certain differences if compared to other types of gardens. First, these gardens set great examples on how small garden spaces are ingeniously designed. The classical Suzhou gardens were specifically laid out by imitating the natural landscape in order to meet the emotional and intellectual needs of the Chinese people. They see to it that the earthly contours of the garden location are utilized in a good manner. The methods and techniques use are numerous, this includes barred views, borrowed views, framed views, opposite views and the decorative and functional alteration as well as the concrete and abstract alteration. The limits of the garden spaces were designed in order to produce an immeasurable effect.

Second characteristic of the Suzhou gardens is the creation of the natural scenery through the process of decorating the garden with trees, flowers and shrubs as well as designing the waterways and mountains. The classical Suzhou gardens were built by the great masters of various dynasties, utilizing great methods and techniques. The gardens noted for their great landscapes and waterways are the Lingering Garden, Humble Administrator’s garden, the Master-of-Nets garden and the Mountain Villa with Embracing beauty. The best lime stone mountain was created during the Qing dynasty and found in the Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty. The Suzhou gardens have an abundance of various flowers and trees. You can also find highly valuable plants such as the hundred years old gingkoes located in the Lingering garden, the wisteria in the Humble Administrator’s garden and the Sabina chinensis located in the Master-of-Nets garden.

Third characteristic of classical gardens in Suzhou is they are considered as an embodiment of beautiful and diverse ancient buildings located in the southern area of the Lower Yangtze. These classical gardens of Suzhou offer varieties of little pavilions and large building that has a basic beam framing. They basically gratify the needs of writing, reading, painting, viewing the scenery, meditation, relaxation, drinking tea, serving banquets and many more functions. These structures have the basic Chinese furnishings such as the highly festooned and carved door frames, hangings, windows, balustrades, pavements and moon gates and many more. All of them are exclusively harmonized when it comes to the functionality, aesthetic and structural considerations.

Fourth characteristic is the gardens in Suzhou are loaded with literary connotations, providing visitors information regarding the Chinese culture. With ancient Chinese aesthetics, philosophy and ideology, the gardens boasts unique architectural forms that has poetic names and designed with calligraphy in order to enhance the appearance of the garden. There are also numerous inscribed stelae of relics distinguished for their superior workmanship and literary connotations.

The classical gardens of Suzhou have reached over two millennia. It has experienced numerous ups and downfalls through the passing of time until it has achieved artistic flawlessness. Once you enter the classical gardens of Suzhou, you will enter a world of calmness and serenity, you feel as if you have stepped inside nature itself along with the various architectural designs and structures that directly links you to the Chinese culture. You no longer feel the bustle of the hectic city life as you step in a realm of tranquility and great artistry. Your visit to the Suzhou gardens is a one of a kind trip that is definitely a memorable one. You will surely want to experience sipping tea while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the gardens.