Yi Garden

Yi Garden, a classical garden in Suzhou, is located at the original No. 43 (now No. 1265) Renmin Road in the city center, covering an area of 6,270 square meters. Yi Garden was built during the late Qing Dynasty from 1874 to 1882. Gu Wenbin, the governor of Ning-Shao-Tai in Zhejiang, spent nine years and 200,000 taels of silver to construct it on the site of the former residence of Ming Dynasty official Wu Kuan. The name Yi Garden is derived from the phrase 'brothers in harmony' from the Analects of Confucius. After its completion, many scholars from Jiangnan gathered here, making it famous at the time. In the 21st year of Guangxu (1895), Gu Heyi, the son of Gu Wenbin, along with Wu Da, Lu Lianfu, Zheng Wenzhuo, Wu Changshuo, and others, created the Yi Garden Painting Collection in the garden. The garden is divided into eastern and western parts, with the western part formerly being an ancestral hall and the southern part connected to the residence. As it was built relatively late, it absorbed the strengths of various gardens, such as the covered corridor, mandarin duck hall, rockery, and stone boat. The rockery meanders, pavilions and terraces are faintly visible, the pear blossoms and bamboo shadows sway, birds sing and flowers emit fragrance, creating a serene and pleasant scenery. Within the garden, there are structures such as Lanyi Pavilion, Qingqing Garden, Liangdong Pavilion, Lvzizhai, Shiwo Hall, Qingzhi Pavilion, and Zuishi Pavilion, all of which are solemn and elegant, showcasing unique craftsmanship. Being in it feels like entering a fairyland, making one feel relaxed and happy. The clear green water of Fan Spring flows northward, adding moisture and vitality to Yi Garden. The garden's scenery is beautiful and worth seeing, with Qingyin Pavilion being particularly notable for its excellent garden structure. Qingyin Pavilion has high eaves and extended wings, winding corridors, and water guided by stones flowing around the pavilion. The red windows and green tiles, along with the lifelike small animal sculptures on the pavilion's ridge, are vivid and realistic. Several square stone pillars surround the pavilion, giving a sense of ancient simplicity and solidity. To the south is a square pond named 'Kite Flying Fish Leaping,' which is open and clear, with colorful fish playing within. Water flows from the mouth of a stone dragon into the pond, with a lotus basin catching it, spraying beads and splashing snow. If you look up from the snow cave on the lower level of Qingyin Pavilion, it feels like being in a small water curtain cave, watching the waterfall cascade down.