- Location: Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province

Built as early as 1509 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the picturesque Humble Administrator's Garden (拙政园) is located at the Dongbei Street of the waterside city Suzhou in Jiangsu Province. The 5.2-hectare garden is the largest landscape garden in Suzhou and one of the four most famous gardens in China. The garden, considered the finest in south China, has been listed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1997.

The garden was originally the private garden of Wang Xiancheng, a frustrated Ming court official, who intended to live there, irrigate the land and grow vegetables; all things which are said to be the affairs of the "humble people". Hence the name of the garden.

The poetic garden, boasting water highlights, features a central pool with exquisite pavilions, towers, terraces, chambers and halls dotted along the waterfront and on woody hill slopes in a harmonious and naturalistic way, all of which are connected by roofed walks, bridges and small paths. In general, the garden includes the eastern, middle and western sections, as well as part of the former owners' residences. The middle section forms the core of the garden, with one third being covered by water. Various traditional buildings, including the major structure- the Hall of Distant Fragrance- are arranged to blend in with the lavish vegetation, rockeries and natural surroundings, providing surprising and delightful changes at every step.

Travel Tips:

1. The best time to visit the garden is from spring to autumn, but you need to avoid the tourist rush during peak season.

2. There are many star-grade hotels and budget hotels nearby for you to choose from, such as the Gloria Plaza Hotel Suzhou, GreenTree Inn Guanqianjie Branch, Home Inn Guanqianjie Branch and Jingyuan Holiday Hotel Suzhou.

3. You can try plenty of local dishes at Fenghuang Street, known as Suzhou's gourmet street.

4. There are many stores at the Dongbei Street and Yuanlin Road adjoining the garden which offer art and craftsmanship products such as the elegant Suzhou embroidery and fans.

- Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 17:30 p.m

- Admission: 70 yuan (Apr. 16-Oct. 30); 50 yuan (Oct. 31-Apr. 15).

- Tel: 86-512-67537002

- How to get there: take Tourism Bus 1, 2, 5, or Bus 55, 178, 202, 309, 313, 518, 529 or 923 to Suzhou Museum

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