April's Beautiful Spring Scenery at Yipu Garden

Yipu Garden was first built during the Ming Dynasty and was later purchased by Wen Zhengming's grandson, Wen Zhenmeng, who named it Yaopu (Medicinal Garden). During the Qing Dynasty, it was acquired by Jiang Cai from Laiyang, Shandong, who renamed it "Yipu" (Art Garden). Yipu is a small garden with Ming Dynasty characteristics and is the smallest among Suzhou's gardens. The entire garden is centered around a pond and divided into two parts: residential area and flower garden. The northern side of the pond features mainly buildings, including Boya Hall and Yanguang Pavilion, while the southern side focuses on mountain scenery. By the pond, lake stones are piled to form steep cliffs, showcasing craftsmanship in mountain arrangement and water management. To the east of the pond stands the Ruyu Pavilion, a structure preserved from the Ming Dynasty. Looking south from the waterside pavilion, mountains and water blend together with lush greenery, creating a rustic charm that serves as the garden's main scenic view. Yipu Garden has distinctive features. Though small, in April it's adorned with blooming roses and pomegranate flowers, attracting many tourists to visit and take photos. Take bus route 811 to Song Xianzhou Lane and walk 1 kilometer to reach this location. The lane does not allow shared bicycles or cars, so walking is required. The visit takes about one hour.