Humble Administrator's Garden,a piece of classic work in Suzhou gardens is one of the Four Renowned Gardens in China and its primary status is known throughout the entire South China region. Its gardening art occupies very significant position in Chinese gardening history and the garden represents the historical characteristics and achievement of private gardens in South China. It is located at 178 Dongbei Street, Suzhou. In 1997, Humble Administrator's Garden, along with other classical gardens of Suzhou, is claimed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The garden's site was a scholar garden during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and later a monastery garden during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). In 1513, during the Ming Dynasty reign of Emperor Zhengde, an administrator named Wang Xianchen appropriated the temple and converted it into a private villa with gardens, which were constructed by digging lakes and piling the resultant earth into artificial islands. The garden was designed in collaboration with the renowned Ming artist Wen Zhengming, and was as large as today's garden, with numerous trees and pavilions. The Wang family sold the garden several years later, and it has changed hands many times since.
The garden was split up in the later Ming dynasty, and it remained neglected until the Qing Dynasty reigns of Emperors Shunzhi and Kangxi, when the garden was extensively rebuilt with major modifications to its earlier plan. During Emperor Qianlong's reign the gardens were again divided into the Shu Yuan (Book of Study Garden) and the Fu Yuan (Restored Garden).
Today's garden is only very loosely related to its earliest version, but closely resembles its late Qing appearance, with numerous pavilions and bridges set among a maze of connected pools and islands. It consists of three major parts set about a large lake: the central part (Zhuozheng Yuan), the eastern part (once called Guitianyuanju, Dwelling Upon Return to the Countryside), and a western part (the Supplementary Garden). The house lies in the south of the garden.
In total, the garden contains 48 different buildings with 101 tablets, 40 stelae, 21 precious old trees, and over 700 Suzhou-style penjing/penzai.
Shanghai & Suzhou & Hangzhou 4 Days Tour
- Tour Code: SH0030
- Duration:4 days
- Market Price:$134
- Our Price: $134
- Highlights:
- Like a pearl set in the west coast of the Pacific Ocean, Shanghai is the showcase of China's fast growth and a bonanza of tourist attractions, and cultural activities. Hangzhou and Suzhou are rivals for the position of "Heaven on Earth" and it truly is hard to separate them. This tour is an excellent combination of the three amazing cities.













