Located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province, near Taihu Lake, in the west, the Yangtze River, in the north, Suzhou boasts a grand natural environment and mild climate, which encouraged a booming local culture. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Suzhou was so prosperous that many literati flocked there to live a simple life by building more classical gardens.
Rock formations, water, and plants comprise the basic elements of building a garden. Yet, instead of being pieced together in a haphazard fashion, these elements are treated in accordance with certain rules. Layout is based on the principles of feng shui, and the arrangement of the objects is more important than the objects themselves. Their design creates a balanced relationship between nature, the objects in the garden, literary allusions and the observer.
The gardens are man-made constructions that model nature. The best gardens are those that looked most pristine, seemingly untouched by man. Even the windows are highly ornate and the square framed windows are decorated with elegant latticework in abstract geometric designs or patterns shaped like foliage, flowers, and animals.
The gardens are a blend of poetry, paintings, literature, and opera. Visitors can feel the breath of artists and scholars at every corner of the gardens, since they contributed to its design.
Twists and turns, rather than straight lines, are an indispensable part of Suzhou classical gardens. The paths are zigzagging, and the windows are partially concealed. Everything is hidden, obscured, or veiled. The meandering arrangement creates a feeling of great size and unexpected surprises. Just when you think there is no more, behind the blocked wall might be a whole new building or hallway.
Today, the classical gardens have become a must-see for tourists in Suzhou.
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