Covering 51,950 square meters, the Humble Administrator s Garden is the largest classical garden in Suzhou. Originally a private garden of a former government servant named Wang Xianchen, the garden was first built in 1509 during the Ming Dynasty. There are altogether 48 different buildings, 101 parallel couplets and door plateaux, 40 stelae, and 21 precious old trees which falls into 13 different categories. It is divided into three parts: eastern, central and the western parts.
The Eastern part is dotted with steep hills, green grasses, dense bamboo, pine forests and winding streams. The main building is the Lanxiang Hall on the south wall of which is a panoramic map of the entire garden. Another impressive building is the Tianquan Pavilion, named after an ancient well whose water tastes very sweet.
The Central part is the essential part of the garden. Over one-third of its area is covered by water. It is lined with trees and parlors. Pavilions and courtyards are clustered throughout. Yuanxiang Hall, the main building, was given this name because of a nearby lotus pool. Not far away is the Small Flying Rainbow Bridge (Xiaofeihong), the only bridge in the garden which can be walked across.
The western part is quiet and peaceful, the main building of which is a stately and ornate hall divided into two sections by a large screen.
The Eastern part is dotted with steep hills, green grasses, dense bamboo, pine forests and winding streams. The main building is the Lanxiang Hall on the south wall of which is a panoramic map of the entire garden. Another impressive building is the Tianquan Pavilion, named after an ancient well whose water tastes very sweet.
The Central part is the essential part of the garden. Over one-third of its area is covered by water. It is lined with trees and parlors. Pavilions and courtyards are clustered throughout. Yuanxiang Hall, the main building, was given this name because of a nearby lotus pool. Not far away is the Small Flying Rainbow Bridge (Xiaofeihong), the only bridge in the garden which can be walked across.
The western part is quiet and peaceful, the main building of which is a stately and ornate hall divided into two sections by a large screen.