Located in the "City of Gardens", Suzhou, the Suzhou Garden in China
is to be found in the Jiangsu province. Created in a bid to escape the daily pressures
of worldly mortal life, the Suzhou Garden in China is the easiest route on earth
to attain peace and tranquility. The Suzhou Garden in China is a living legacy
of gardening artistry that has been continuing for 1,500 years. In fact the city
at one time is said to have housed some 200 and more gardens right within its
premises. For this reason Suzhou had gained the title of being the "Venice
of the East". Though the number of gardens do not match the original number,
there are still somewhere around 69 or so gardens still to be found within the
city.
The gardens were built in keeping with the Taoist philosophies, and so serve
as a perfect retreat, with the symmetry of the hills, brooks, pavilions, trees,
halls, fountains, flowers and towers giving off a peaceful aura and creating
tranquil ambience. Most of these gardens date back to the Spring and Autumn
Period that lasted between 770 and 476 BC. However, it was not until the Ming
Dynasty era that the art of gardening reached its optimum glory. Together all
these gardens represent the different styles and preferences of the people of
the Jing, the Song, the Yuan, the Ming and the Qing Dynasties. There are four
main gardens in the city today. They include the Surging Waves Pavilion, The
Lion Grove Garden, The Humble Administrator's Garden and The Lingering Garden.
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