Lingering Garden

Lingering Garden, this historically significant classical garden, ranks among China's four most famous gardens with its unique charm. It is renowned not only for its intricate architectural layout and rich collection of exotic rocks but also stands alongside Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden, Beijing's Summer Palace, and Chengde's Mountain Resort as a jewel in the crown of traditional Chinese gardens. The history of Lingering Garden dates back to when it was the private garden of Xu Taishi, the Minor Minister of the Imperial Stud, originally named 'East Garden'. Later, the garden came into the possession of Liu Shu, who after meticulous reconstruction renamed it 'Hanbi Villa'. To enhance the garden's scenery, Liu Shu specially collected twelve famous peaks to transplant into the garden, adding an extra touch of elegance. Subsequently, the garden was acquired and renovated by Sheng Kang from Changzhou, and it was eventually renamed 'Lingering Garden' due to the homophonic play on words. Lingering Garden is divided into four areas, each with its unique charm. The central area is themed around landscapes, showcasing natural beauty; the eastern area features courtyard architecture, highlighting the refinement of human culture; the northern area presents the tranquil scenery of rural farmland; and the western area is lush with trees, making visitors feel as though they are in the midst of a forest. Visitors can follow a carefully designed route to appreciate the beauty of the garden one spot at a time. From the intertwining ancient trees to the shaded paths, and then to attractions such as Mingse Building and Hanbi Villa, every step is full of surprises. During the tour, one can also admire the three great spectacles: Guanyun Peak, Nanmu Hall, and the Fish Fossil. Guanyun Peak, a highlight of Lingering Garden, attracts countless visitors with its 6.5-meter-tall stature and its unique grey-white, slightly arched shape. It is not only one of the tallest existing lake rock peaks in China but also a precious relic of the Song Dynasty's Huashi Gang. The name Guanyun Peak comes from the characteristics of its towering peak and the crown-like spread at its top. Nanmu Hall is another highlight of Lingering Garden. Known colloquially as the 'Five Peaks Fairy Hall', Nanmu Hall is famous for its exquisite decoration and elegant furnishings, and is acclaimed as 'the number one hall in the south of the Yangtze River'. Its name derives from the fact that the beams, columns, and furniture inside the hall are all made of nanmu wood. Finally, the Fish Fossil in Lingering Garden is worth mentioning. This fossil is housed in a rectangular glass frame in Guanyun Building, measuring 4.6 meters in length and 1.25 meters in width. On it, one can clearly see over twenty fossils of the fish species Middle Kyphosus, each more than ten centimeters long. These fossils date back over 140 million years and are extremely rare ornamental treasures. Lingering Garden is located at No. 338 Liuyuan Road, Suzhou, with convenient transportation. Visitors can take the subway line 2 to Shilu Station and walk 1 kilometer to reach it; or take bus routes 933, 85, or tourist line 1 to the Liuyuan Station. Whether driving or using public transport, it is easy to reach this beautiful classical garden.