Couple's Retreat Garden located in Suzhou

Suzhou

Suzhou , previously transliterated as Su-chou, Suchow, and Soochow, is a major city located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province in Eastern China, located adjacent to Shanghai Municipality. The city is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Taihu Lake and is a part...

 city, Jiangsu

Jiangsu

' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...

 province, China

China

Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

 is a famous classical Chinese garden. It is recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...

 World Heritage Site

World Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...

.

History

The original garden was built by Lu Jin, prefect of Baoning district, in 1874. It was purchased by Shen Bingcheng, the magistrate of Susong

Susong County

Susong County is a county in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, under the jurisdiction of Anqing City. It has population of 800,000 and an area of . The government of Susong County is located in Fulyu Town.-Administrative divisions:...

. who rebuilt it in its current form. He also changed the name to the Couple's Garden Retreat. This name refers to the garden's two parts and alludes to a couple. It is recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...

 World Heritage Site

World Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...

.

Design

The 0.33 ha garden is divided into an east and west section by the residential core in the middle; an unusual composition for a classical garden. The eccentric design is continued in the form and details of many of the garden buildings, especially the Taosim Tower. The garden is located in the intersection of canals and is surrounded by water on three sides. It is accessible directly from the canal by boat. The West garden is composed of several structures grouped around a small grotto and a Library annex. It is structurally joined to the central residence. East Garden is the main garden of the complex. It consists of a grotto and pond ringed by a covered walkway that connects the structures. A smaller fruit orchard annex is attached.

Garden Design Elements with Description
West Garden
	Building Hall A five bay two story tower with east and west wings that served as the main residential compound.
	Couples Retreat Hall
	Eternal Spring
	Gatehouse
	Hall of Nobility A three bay hall with front porch
	Library Tower
	Old House with Woven Curtains Named for Shen Linshi. A three bay mandrian-duck hall with front and rear porches and annex.
	Pavilion of Longevity A square pavilion with enclouse on the north side.
	Wine Carriage House A three bay two story tower.
East Garden
	Among Mountains and Water A one bay open hall on the water with a full porch
	Balcony of No Frippary An artist's studio in a three bay hall with porch, with views into the cherry orchard.
	Collecting Fragrance Hall
	Kuxing Tower A unique one bay tower connected to the taoism practice tower.
	Moon Pavilion
	My Loveable Pavilion A square pavilion with porch annex, built as part of the original garden.
	Studio of the Returned Inkslab Named for the discovery of a lost inkslab by the grandson of the original owner. A three bay and two story tower.
	Taoism House A unique tower structure of two bays with a specific Northeast orientation according to Taoist principals.
	Thatched Cottage at the City Corner Based on a pun alluding to the love between herder boy and weaver girl, it is the primary Structure consisting of five bays and two stories. It is adjoined to Studio of the Returned Inkslab and Collecting Fragrance Hall.
	Wisteria Decorated Boat

External links

• Classical Gardens of Suzhou, UNESCO
  UNESCO
  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
  
  's official website on World Heritage site
  World Heritage Site
  A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
  
  .
• Couple's Garden Retreat at Asian Historical Architecture.