Lion Grove Garden (Shizilin)

Built in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) by Monk Tianru and a group of Zen Buddhist disciples as a memorial of their master-Monk Zhongfeng, Lion Grove Garden has witnessed 650 years’ changes. As one of the four famous Chinese gardens (together with Lingering Garden, Humble Administrator's Garden and Canglang Pavilion), Lion Grove Garden covers 11,000 m².

 

Hailed as the Kingdom of the Rockery, Lion Grove Garden is full of lifelike rockeries that are of colorful shapes and complex postures. Plenty of rockeries are actually from North Song Dynasty (960-1127), which has been turned into various delicate patterns under the design of the skillful artisans. In the last reconstruction, some western styles and Chinese folk artistries are introduced into this Buddhist garden to make more charming and natural.

In this maze-like garden, Chinese traditional culture and literary works are one of the features. On the walls of the corridors, the calligraphies of the four eminent calligraphers in Song Dynasty (960-1234) are carved, and around the garden scriptures of the Buddhist classics can be seen, which provides you a chance of learning the Chinese cultures while enjoy the landscapes.

 

The water and rockeries form a beautiful contrast that is the key tone of the garden, which is the original model of some royal gardens. Rockeries together with water, bamboo grove, pavilions, meandering corridors and green plant formed a refreshing and nature-like resort where you can spend your expedition.

Opening Hours: 8:00--17:00

Ticket Price:
20 CNY from October 31 to April 15
30 CNY from April 16 to October 30
Free for the disabled, the soldiers, the kids under 1.2 meters and the people over 70

Location: No. 23, Yuanlin Road, Jiangping District, Suzhou

Transportation: Tour Bus No. 1, 2 and 5, and Bus No. 2, 3, 40, 55, 313, 301, 529 and 923 will bring you here.