Classical Gardens of Suzhou

Classical Chinese garden design, which seeks to recreate miniature natural landscapes, is not illustrated any better than in the nine gardens in the historic city of Suzhou, Jiangsu province. Suzhou’s classical gardens are noted for their exquisite design and layout. Landscape and buildings are perfectly integrated to create a great harmony between man and nature.

Occupying a unique and irreplaceable position in the world history of gardening, Suzhou’s classical gardens have high value for the study of Chinese landscape gardening (with Suzhou-style bonsai), architecture, culture, aesthetics, philosophy and folklore. They were added onto the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 1997.