Suzhou's Premier Garden: The Humble Administrator's Garden

How can one appreciate the full splendor of spring without visiting a garden? Outside the walls bustle with activity, while inside lies tranquility and elegance. Listening to the rain through banana-leaf windows, savoring tea under the moonlight, the long corridors harbor deep thoughts, and the latticed windows remember tender affections. Strolling through the garden is like walking through poetry and dreams. As one of the representatives of classical gardens in the Jiangnan area, the Humble Administrator's Garden is renowned for its exceptional design and enchanting landscapes. It is considered one of the four great gardens of China, alongside Beijing's Summer Palace, Chengde's Mountain Resort, and Suzhou's Lingering Garden, and is known as the 'Mother of Chinese Gardens.' In 1997, it was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. The Humble Administrator's Garden is located in the northeast corner of Suzhou city, covering an area of seventy-eight mu (approximately 5.2 hectares), and is the most completely preserved and largest classical garden in Suzhou to date. The garden is divided into eastern, central, and western sections, each with its unique scenic charm. The Eastern Garden is open and bright, making visitors feel as if they have entered a peaceful paradise. The Central Garden is the essence of the entire garden, featuring the most representative attractions. The Western Garden's architectural style is distinctive, immersing visitors in its beauty. The southern part of the garden is the residential area, showcasing the typical multi-entry layout of traditional Jiangnan houses. The Suzhou Garden Museum is also located in the southern part of the garden and is a thematic museum dedicated to gardens. Although the Humble Administrator's Garden is the most famous among Suzhou's gardens, it is not the oldest. Unlike other gardens that can trace their history back to the Song dynasty, the Humble Administrator's Garden's history firmly starts from the Ming dynasty. Moreover, unlike other gardens, Wen Zhengming was involved in the planning during the construction period of this garden. Therefore, the Humble Administrator's Garden has a particularly strong literary atmosphere. The Humble Administrator's Garden