Suzhou Couple's Garden Retreat—The only remaining academy garden in Suzhou

The Couple's Garden Retreat, also known as Jìnshānlín or Lèyuán, is a classical garden architecture that dates back to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Located at Sanyuanfang in the south of Suzhou city (No. 708 Renmin Road), it is separated from the Canglang Pavilion by just one alley. The garden's entrance faces south, looking across the water at the Canglang Pavilion. During the Five Dynasties, it was part of the villa belonging to Sun Chengyou, the military governor of the Wu and Yue states in central Wu. After changing owners several times and suffering damage, it was rebuilt during the Guangxu period. The entrance to the Couple's Garden Retreat faces the Canglang Pavilion, maintaining the layout of the late Qing Dynasty. The small West Lake pool and the entrance are on the same north-south central axis, with spacious architecture featuring the Xuegutang Hall, Haogeting Pavilion, Siluting Pavilion, and Gutin Pavilion. The walls of the corridors are inlaid with stone tablets inscribed with 'Records of the Couple's Garden' and 'Records of the Xuegutang Hall'. The pool is central, surrounded by winding corridors, clear water, and lush trees, creating a serene and spacious courtyard.