Lingering Garden is a renowned classical Chinese garden

Chinese garden

The Chinese garden, also known as a Chinese classical garden, is a style of landscape garden which has evolved for more than three thousand years, and which is inspired by Chinese literature, Chinese painting and Chinese philosophy...

. It is located at 338 Liuyuan Rd. Suzhou

Suzhou

Suzhou , previously transliterated as Su-chou, Suchow, and Soochow, is a major city located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province in Eastern China, located adjacent to Shanghai Municipality. The city is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Taihu Lake and is a part...

, Jiangsu

Jiangsu

' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...

 province, China (留园路338号). It is recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...

 World Heritage Site

World Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...

. In 1997, the garden, along with other classical gardens in Suzhou, was recorded by UNESCO

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...

 as a World Heritage Site

World Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...

. The garden also stores two UNESCO intangible world heritage arts

Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity

The Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity was made by the Director-General of UNESCO starting in 2001 to raise awareness on intangible cultural heritage and encourage local communities to protect them and the local people who sustain these forms of cultural...

; Pingtan

Shuochang

Shuochang is a form of traditional Chinese storytelling , with many regional subgenres; it is also often referred to as "narrative." Shuochang performances usually intermix speaking and singing, and are accompanied by percussion instruments and sometimes also plucked or bowed string...

 (评弹) and Guqin

Guqin

The guqin is the modern name for a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument of the zither family...

 music.

History

Lingering Garden is located outside the Changmen gate (阊门) of Suzhou, Jiangsu

Jiangsu

' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...

 province. It was commissioned by Xu Taishi (徐泰时), an impeached and later exonerated official in 1593 CE. Stonemason Zhou Shicheng (周时臣) designed and built the East Garden (东园) as it was initially called. The East Garden became famous in its day when the magistrates of Wu

Suzhou

Suzhou , previously transliterated as Su-chou, Suchow, and Soochow, is a major city located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province in Eastern China, located adjacent to Shanghai Municipality. The city is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Taihu Lake and is a part...

 and Changzhou County

Changzhou

Changzhou is a prefecture-level city in southern Jiangsu province of the People's Republic of China. It was previously known as Yanling, Lanling, Jinling, and Wujin. Located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, Changzhou borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the west, Zhenjiang to the...

 both praised the design of Shi Ping Peak, a rockery constructed to resemble Tiantai Mountain

Guoqing Temple

The Guoqing Temple is a Buddhist temple on Mount Tiantai, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China. Originally built in 598 AD during the Sui Dynasty, and renovated during the reign of the Qing Yongzheng Emperor , the temple is located roughly from the city of Hangzhou...

 in Putao

Mount Putuo

Mount Putuo is an island southeast of Shanghai, in Zhoushan prefecture of Zhejiang province, China. It is famous in Chinese Buddhism, and is considered the bodhimanda of Avalokitesvara , a revered Bodhisattva in many parts of East Asia...

.

Ownership passed to Liu Su, another official in 1798 CE. After extensive reconstruction, he renamed it Cold Green Village after a verse, "clean cold color of bamboo, limpid green light of water". Keeping with that theme, he added pine and bamboo groves. He was an avid collector of Scholar stones and added 12 more to the garden housing them in the "stone forest". It was also at this time the "Celestial Hall of Five Peaks" was built. The garden soon acquired the nickname "Liu Yuan" from the owner's surname. From 1823 CE the garden was open to public, and became a famed resort.

Ownership passed to Sheng Kang, a provincial treasurer of Hubei

Hubei

' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...

 in 1873 CE. He repaired the damaged caused to the garden by the chaos of the Taiping

Taiping Rebellion

The Taiping Rebellion was a widespread civil war in southern China from 1850 to 1864, led by heterodox Christian convert Hong Xiuquan, who, having received visions, maintained that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ, against the ruling Manchu-led Qing Dynasty...

. After three years the reconstruction was complete in 1876 CE, and the garden was renamed to Liu Yuan (留园). The name, while homophonous to an older name, connotes leisure and is thus pays tribute to the former owner as well as the resort period of the garden. It was at this time the "Auspicious Cloud Capped Peak" stone was moved to its current location. The garden was inherited by Sheng Xuanhuai

Sheng Xuanhuai

Sheng Xuanhuai , November 4, 1844—April 27, 1916, 盛宣懷) was the Minister of Transportation during the Qing Dynasty. He is also known as Sheng Gongbao ....

 from his father, he abandoned the garden in 1911 and it fell into disrepair

During Sino-Japanese War

Second Sino-Japanese War

The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...

, the garden was abandoned again, and it even degenerated into breeding zone for army's horses. After establishment of the People's Republic of China, Suzhou government took over and renovated the garden. It was reopened to the public in 1954. In 2001 the garden was added to the UNESCO Word Heritage list, and remains a major tourist destination.

Since its creation the Lingering Garden has been well received by critics and has inspired artists. The East Garden is described and praised in Sketches of Gardens and Pavilions by Yuan Hongdao

Yuan Hongdao

Yuan Hongdao was Chinese poet of the Ming Dynasty, and one of the Three Yuan Brothers. His life spanned nearly the whole of the Wanli period in Chinese history. Yuan was from Gong'an in Hukuang.　His family had been military officials for generations. Yuan showed an interest in literature from...

 (magistrate of Changzhou County), "...It is the best of its kind south of the Yangtze River

Yangtze River

The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...

." It was also described in the work Notes on the Hou Yue Tang by Jiang Yingke (magistrate of Wu County). After the East Garden was transformed into the Lingering Garden it was again praised by Yu Yue in his Notes on Lingering Garden, "The rockeries plants pavilions towers and halls are among the best in Wu County."

Design

The 23,310 m² garden is divided into four distinctly themed sections; East, Central, West, and North. The Central area is the oldest part of the garden. Buildings, the primary feature of any Chinese garden, occupy one third of the total area. A unique feature this garden is the 700 m covered walk which connects them. The built elements of the garden are grouped by section. The ensemble of structures in the central garden encircles a pond and grotto main feature. The grotto is constructed of yellowstone granite and was created by the noted artist Zhou Binzhong. The Eastern section of the garden is arrayed around the cloud capped peak stone. A central courtyard is ringing by buildings. Behind the Old Hermit Scholars' House is the Small Court of Stone Forest, a collection of Scholar stones and connected minor courtyards. The western section is mostly natural containing only a few pavilions, a large artificial hill, and a Penzai garden.

Garden Design Elements with Description
Entry Garden
	Entry The garden entry on Liuyuan Lu. This door leads into the Gatehouse, the simple style of the whitewashed walls and stone lintel is typical of the urban design in ancient Suzhou resulting from the sumptuary law. The garden name is painted in gold on the stone lintel and paving ornaments in the entry plaza.
	Gatehouse The gate house is a double arcade three bay hall with full gable roofline and bowed ridge decorated with the three immortals. in front of a small courtyard on three sides by a roofed corridor. This passage connects to the Zigzag Path at the rear. A screen with an inlaid jade Jade Jade is an ornamental stone.The term jade is applied to two different metamorphic rocks that are made up of different silicate minerals:...  map of the garden divides the hall from the courtyard. The screen is called, "Full View of the Lingering Garden".
	Old Intertwined Trees Court A complex and unique structure composed of a courtyard, open 3 bay hall, and covered corridor which functions as a single space. The courtyard is planted with two trees symbolizing jade (Magnolia soulangia) and gold (Osmanthus fragrans), a sign of prosperity. The entry to this space is marked by a tablet inscribed by Deputy Prime Minister Zhu Boqi which read, "Paradise on Earth".
	Small House by the Flowery Path A complex and unique structure composed of a covered passage that simulates a three bay hall Screen windows facing the pond and a two small sky-wells on the opposite side. The sky-well is planted with a composition of a Cypress from the Ming Dynasty and Camellia. An opening on one side of the sky-well leads into a smaller sky-well behind the Green Shade Terrace which is a composition of rock and Boston Ivy.
	Zigzag Path A winding roofed corridor which connects the entry hall, residence, and Old Intertwined Trees Court. It is marked by a tablet inscribed by Suzhou Magistrate Wu Yun reading, "Lingering garden".
Central Garden
	Celestial Hall of Five Peaks This five bay full gable structure was inspired by a verse from Li Bai Li Bai Li Bai , also known in the West by various other transliterations, especially Li Po, was a major Chinese poet of the Tang dynasty poetry period. He has been regarded as one of the greatest poets in China's Tang period, which is often called China's "golden age" of poetry. Around a thousand existing... , "There are five peaks to the south of Mount Lu which seem to be the golden lotus flowers cut out by nature". The selection of this verse was in turn was inspired by the preexisting Ming Dynasty Ming Dynasty The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...  grotto which faces the front of the hall. On the backside of the Hall a courtyard houses one of the 12 famous scholar stones, Rhesus Monkey Peak, of Liu Su's collection. Inside are numerous pillar couplets.
	Green Shade Pavilion Named for a verse by Gao Qi in Ode to Sunflowers, "brightness and beauty come from the vermillion light brushes and flowers lean on the shade side." A reference to the shade provided by the 300 year old maple tree, which overhangs it. A three bay terrace structure rear double arcade, with a full gable roofline open on one side with backrest facing the pond.yard inlaid with phoniex fish deer crane bat and lotus paving designs.
	Hanbi Mountain Villa Named after a line by Zhu Shi (Song Dynasty), "The water is imbued with green, forests have become more red...". The name alludes to the numerous pines added to the garden during the second phase of construction. The typical farmhouse design typology, three bay with flat eves and full gables, of the villa reinforces the idea of a rustic retreat.
	HaoPu Pavilion A freestanding structure on the pond. The name is from two famous angling resorts called Hao and Pu; however, it also alludes to The Happiness of Fish (魚之樂), a dialectic conversation between Zhuang Zi and Hui Zi. Ultimately, the name expresses the desire of the owner for a simple life. It faces three of the 12 famous scholar stones of Liu Su's Collection; The Moon, The Magic Fungus, and The Cockscomb. It is a freestanding square pavilion with a hipped gable roofline, and ornamented flying eves.
	Passable Pavilion The name comes from a verse by Liu Yuxi Liu Yuxi Liu Yuxi was a Chinese poet, philosopher, and essayist, active during the Tang Dynasty. He was an associate of Bai Juyi and was known for his folk-style poems.- External links :* * *... , "the bright moon passes the pavilion". A freestanding hexagonal with ridged flying eves typical of a moon gazing pavilion. It is flanked on both sides by two 300 year old Ginkgo trees
	Pellucid Tower Built as an extension to the Hanbi Villa during the third phase of garden construction, this structure is built to resemble the form a pleasure boat launching into the pond. It was inspired by the Du Fu Du Fu Du Fu was a prominent Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty.Along with Li Bai , he is frequently called the greatest of the Chinese poets. His greatest ambition was to serve his country as a successful civil servant, but he proved unable to make the necessary accommodations...  verse, "The boat is exquisite enough to take two or three of us for our sailing in the open". Three bay hipped gable roofline with flying eves. Cloud stair rockery,access to top floor which is screened by mother of pearl inlaid windows.
	Osmanthus fragrans Pavilion A square three bay hipped gable roofline and flying eve pavilion connected to the roofed passage, and named after the grove of Cassia trees. There are two pillar couplets. The yard in front of the pavilion is decorated with two phoniex a Buddhist knot and a lotus.
	Refreshing Breeze Pavilion Named from a line by Su Dongpo Su Shi Su Shi , was a writer, poet, artist, calligrapher, pharmacologist, gastronome, and statesman of the Song Dynasty, and one of the major poets of the Song era. His courtesy name was Zizhan and his pseudonym was Dongpo Jushi , and he is often referred to as Su Dongpo...  in his Ode to Chi Bi, "The soothing breeze slowly blow this way but the pond is rippless..." This structure uses the Venturi effect Venturi effect The Venturi effect is the reduction in fluid pressure that results when a fluid flows through a constricted section of pipe. The Venturi effect is named after Giovanni Battista Venturi , an Italian physicist.-Background:...  to create a crossbreeze off the pond. A one bay terrace structure with a hipped gable roofline open on one side, the flying eves are decorated with dragon ornaments. A central wooden screen is flanked by pillar couplets.
	Study of Enlightenment A three bay structure closed on four sides.
	Winding Stream Tower Named after a verse by Wen Zhengming Wen Zhengming Wen Zhengming was a leading Ming Dynasty painter, calligrapher, and scholar.Born in present-day Suzhou, he claimed to be a descendant of the Song Dynasty prime minister and patriot Wen Tianxiang. Wen’s family was originally from Hengyang, Hunan, where his family had established itself shortly... , "The winding stream leads to the open place." A three bay and two-story structure with a hipped gable roofline and flying eves.
East Garden
	Auspicious Cloud Capped Peak A scholar stone considered to be a national treasure of China. It was a relic from the Song Dynasty, and forms part of an arrangement with two other scholar stones, a pond and a surrounding complex of buildings. It flanked by Auspicious Cloud Peak and Mountain Cloud Peak, and fronted by Could Washing Pond.
	Awaiting Cloud Temple Named after the Auspicious Cloud Capped Peak, it is a three bay hall with portico on three sides and a hipped gable roofline with flying eves.
	Cloud Capped Pavilion A freestanding hexagonal pavilion with flying eves and ornamental capstone on the rockery beside the Auspicious Cloud Capped Peak.
	Cloud Capped Tower A three bay tower with a hipped gable roofline and flat eves. It has two wings attached on either side. It is sited behind the Auspicious Cloud Capped Peak, and currently used as a teahouse.
	Good for Farming Pavilion A square one bay pavilion closed on three sides with a hipped gable roofline and ornamented ridge.
	Worshipping Stone Pavilion A one bay square pavilion with hipped gable roofline and ornamented flying eves connected to the covered corridor and the backside of the Good for Farming Pavilion. It is named after the nearby Auspicious Cloud Capped Peak, which it faces.
	Pavilion of Oneness An attached square pavilion over the gate to the Small Court of Stone Forest with a hipped gable roofline and flying eves.
	Return–-to–-Read Study Named after a line by Tao Qias, "After plowing and sowing I often return home to read...". It is a tower facing a courtyard surrounded by a roofed corridor and decorated with 99 stelae from famous calligraphers of the Song Dynasty. It is a three bay full gable tower with connected courtyard
	Small Court of Stone Forest A 100 m2 courtyard divided into eight yards, each one anchored by a scholar stone. Elaborate pavement ornaments depict crane, deer, and a five bat longevity motif.
	Small Garden of the Stone Forest A courtyard entered from the View to Quietude Gate and surrounded by a roofed corridor on three sides. In the center is Afterglow Peak which overlooks Hound Peak. The name of this space is derived from the garden of Song Dynasty poet Liu Mengde called The Garden of Delicate Stones. He like the garden owner Liu Su was also an avid collector of scholar stones. The main axis of this courtyard passes through an open window into a skywell anchored by another scholar stone. The composition in the skywell space gives the open window the illusion of being a mirror of the backside of Afterglow Peak.
	Stone Forest Pavilion A freestanding hexagonal pavilion with flat eves ridges and an ornamented capstone. It is sited in the Small Court of Stone Forest. Sometimes it is called the Azure Pavilion.
	Worshipping Stone Hall A three bay hall built in the Small Garden of the Stone Forest courtyard. It is closed on three sides with a hipped gable roofline and flying eves. It is named after the scholar stone it faces in the center of the courtyard called Afterglow Peak.
West Garden
	Delightful Pavilion A double hexagonal pavilion with flying eves and ridge ornaments overlooking the Penzai garden. The name is meant to connote the visitor will experience ultimate delight.
	Free Roaring Pavilion A free standing hexagonal pavilion with a round roofline on top of the hill overlooking the peach blossom garden.
	One More Village Named after a verse by Lu Yu, "Where the hills and streams end there seems no road beyond, amidst the shady willows and blooming flowers another village appears". This area was formerly a productive garden imitating an idyllic rustic village. Currently, it is used to house a penjing Penjing Penjing , also known as penzai , tray landscape, potted scenery, potted landscape, and miniature trees and rockery is the ancient Chinese art of growing trees and plants, kept small by skilled pruning and formed to create an aesthetic shape and the complex illusion of age...  collection.
	Peach Blossom Dock A square pavilion with pillar couplets connected to the covered corridor with a hipped gable roofline and flying eaves. It is named after the grove of flowering trees it faces, which are meant to be a recreation of the scenery in utopian tale Utopia Utopia is an ideal community or society possessing a perfect socio-politico-legal system. The word was imported from Greek by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean. The term has been used to describe both intentional communities that attempt...  Peach Blossom Spring by Tao Qian Tao Qian Tao Qian , better known as Tao Yuanming , was a Chinese poet. Born in modern Jiujiang, Jiangxi, he was one of the most influential pre-Tang Dynasty Chinese poets.... .
	Place of Liveliness Named after ancient Chinese philosophical concept of nature later adopted by Buddhists and translated as liveliness. A two story three bay terrace structure open on one side with a portico on four sides and hipped gable roofline with flat eves. The door panels are decorated with carvings.

External links