留园

Visiting a home garden in Suzhou is like stepping into a serene oasis that beautifully blends nature, art, and traditional Chinese culture. The garden I explored was a masterpiece of delicate design — winding pathways, carefully placed rocks, flowing water features, and exquisitely pruned plants created a tranquil atmosphere perfect for reflection and relaxation. Every corner revealed intricate details, from ornate pavilions to poetic stone inscriptions, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship that Suzhou gardens are famous for. What made the experience truly special was the intimate scale and personal touch of a private home garden, offering a quiet retreat away from the city’s bustle. The harmony between architecture and landscape invited me to slow down and soak in the peaceful beauty, embodying centuries-old philosophies of balance and natural elegance. For anyone visiting Suzhou, a stop at a traditional home garden is an absolute must to fully appreciate the artistry and cultural heritage of this charming city.

There on a coach (one of many) & whilst it was pretty it wasn't enjoyable - way too crowded, noisy & detracted from its beauty. Was told it was quite than some times - a Friday & it was raining. Old home & gardens, taken over by Govt in 1940's & now a museum. Various parts of the garden are unique - water, stone, trees, bonsai etc & all well looked after. Signage could be improved as lots of paths criss-crossing garden.

This is really picturesque garden area with sculptured areas, rock formations, buildings and of course plenty of plants and trees, we were there outside of the spring / summer season so the fauna and flora weren’t at their best, but it was still a lovely place to spend time. Our guide explained about the garden and some of the structures inside which was interesting. Lots of girls dressed in traditional attire having pictures taken which was good to see and made it all the more nice.

One of the 9 legend garden in Suzhou, less crowd ❤️ Try strolling with Hanfu wearing (one of chinese traditional dress), lots of hanfu rental in front of the Garden entrance~

Absolutely beautiful garden 💚 love all the flower decorations indoor with natural sunlight. Cute shaped window looking out to the stunning garden. The stone garden is also amazing. Every little detail was carefully designed and very well maintained.

It's a heritage building and garden. But when I go here very crowded and raining.

The Liuyuan garden is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite gardens among the numerous UNESCO cultural heritage sites in Suzhou. I had the pleasure of visiting this garden many years ago, and it quickly became my favourite. I highly recommend visiting in autumn when the leaves on the trees turn to beautiful colours. Unlike the Humble Administrator's Garden, admission to this garden is not very expensive, and you don't need to make an appointment or purchase tickets online beforehand. Additionally, there aren't many tourists here, allowing you to enjoy the serene beauty of the garden in peace.

Also known as Liuyuan (留园), dates back to the Ming Dynasty and has a history of over 400 years. It was originally built as a private residence and has undergone several renovations and expansions over the centuries. Its intricate layout, which includes various halls, pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and winding corridors, is designed to create a sense of harmony between man-made structures and natural scenery, with carefully arranged vegetation and water features enhancing its aesthetic appeal.