Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan)

Occupying an area of 5.8 acres (about 23,300 square meters), the Lingering Garden is located outside Changmen Gate in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. Originally a classical private garden, it is one of the four most famous gardens in China. Possessing typical Qing style, it is well-known for the exquisite beauty of its magnificent halls, and the various sizes, shapes, and colors of the buildings. In 1997, it was recorded on the list of the world heritage by UESCO.

With a history of more than 400 years, the Lingering Garden has changed hands several times. Each owner did his best to perfect it. The garden was first built in 1593 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) by a retired official named Xu Tai. During the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), it was bought by Liu Shu. As a calligraphy lover, he carved masterpieces on both sides of the corridors of the buildings. He had also collected unusually-shaped stones in the garden. The succeeding owners followed his model when doing restoration work. Almost demolished in the 1930s, the garden was repaired sponsored by the government and then opened to the public.

Lingering Garden, Suzhou
Pavilions, Pond and Boat, Lingering Garden
Lingering Garden, Suzhou
Peaceful Scenery in Lingering Garden
Like other classical gardens of Suzhou, the Lingering Garden seeks to create stunning natural landscapes within limited space. In it, domiciles, ancestral temples and private gardens are included. Buildings, trees, and flowers blend harmoniously with their surroundings. The garden can generally be divided into four parts: the central, eastern, western and northern parts according to the style of the buildings.
Wufeng Hall, the Typical Hall of Gardens
Wufeng Hall
Lingering Garden, Suzhou
Little Penglai (fairyland) in the garden

Of the four parts, the central part is the essence of the whole complex. This part was the original Lingering Garden while the other three were added during the Qing Dynasty. After going through winding corridors from the gate, one reaches the central part. The central part is divided into two parts: the western part and the eastern part. The former features in pools and hills while classical buildings dominate the latter. The Celestial Hall of Five Peaks in the eastern part is the largest hall in the garden. The western part is enchanting for its natural scenery. It is a large rockery built from stacked stones and soil during the Ming Dynasty. Maples cover the hill. When all the leaves turn red in autumn, it is extraordinarily beautiful. The northern part used to be a vegetable garden, but now is used to exhibit potted plants of which the Suzhou people are quite proud.

These four parts are connected by a 770-yard (about 700 meters) long corridor on the wall of which calligraphy carved on the stone can be found.

 

Transportation

 By Rail Transit
Take Rail Transit Line 2 and get off at Shilu Station. Go out via Exit 1 and walk northward on South Guangji Road for about 50 yards (46 meters). Turn west and walk along Liuyuan Road for about 300 yards (274 meters).
 By bus
1. Take bus no. 85, 317, 933, or tourist bus no. 1 and get off at Liuyuan Station.
2. Take bus no. 7, 34, 44, 64, 70, 85, 161, 304, 315, 318, 406, 415, 522, 800, 921, 970, or 980 and get off at Liuyuan Road Station. Walk to the west along Liuyuan Road for about 300 yards (274 meters).
Suzhou Bus Search

Admission Fee April, May, July, August, September and October: CNY 55
January, February, March, June, November and December: CNY 45
Opening Hours 07:30 to 17:00
 

Recommended Nearby Attractions

  West Garden Temple (Xiyuan Temple)
  Shantang Street (Seven-Li Shantang)

 Top 10 Things to Do in Suzhou 
12 Best Places to Visit in Suzhou

- Last updated on Jun. 21, 2022 -
Questions & Answers on Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan)
Asked by Yoko Kojima from UNITED STATES | Sep. 12, 2019 23:31Reply
Can we buy tickets for Administrator Garden and Lingering Garden on the spot?
Answers (1)
Answered by Daisy from CANADA | Sep. 16, 2019 18:29
00Reply


You need to make reservation of entry ticket of Administrator Garden in advance. You still can buy the ticket of Lingering Garden on the spot.
Asked by Kathleen from MALAYSIA | Oct. 27, 2015 23:25Reply
Can we use subway to go to Tiger Hill from Shan Tang Station, Suzhou?
Which train stop at Tiger Hill, If not, Which DIRECT bus route get to Tiger Hill from Shan Tang Station?
Answers (1)
Answered by Judy from RUSSIA | Oct. 28, 2015 03:05
00Reply


Well, taking the subway is not the most convenient way. You can take bus no. 146 at Qingtang New Village Station, get off at Huqiu Station. After arriving, walk north around 360 yards to arrive at the scenic area.
Asked by Jess Saw from MALAYSIA | Dec. 23, 2014 18:00Reply
Day trip at Suzhou fr Shanghai by bullet train, reach 1030am, kindly advice my trip as below
1st visit - Lingering garden by bus from SZ railway station
2nd visit - Tiger hill - was told there is a direct bus fr Lingering garden abt 12 mins
3rd visit - take bus or taxi to Humber Administrator's garden then Pingjing street
kindly advice

thank you
Answers (2)
Answered by Daniel from UNITED KINGDOM | Dec. 24, 2014 01:56
20Reply


Hey, you can reach all these attractions by tourist bus line 1 north line.
1. take tourist bus line 1 north line from the railway station to Lingering Garden.
2. take tourist bus line 1 north line from Lingering Garden and get off at Tiger Hill Shoumo stop.
3. take tourist bus line 1 north line from Tiger Hill Shoumo stop to SZ Museum, and then walk to the northeast to The Humble Administrator’s Garden.
Answered by Jess Saw from MALAYSIA | Dec. 24, 2014 06:59
00Reply


Thank you very much, Daniel
Asked by JADE from MALAYSIA | Dec. 22, 2014 02:54Reply
Any subway stops to Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, Suzhou?
Nearest station?
Answers (3)
Answered by Kina from MALAYSIA | Dec. 22, 2014 20:47
01Reply


Take subway line 2 and get off at Shilu. Leave through exit 1 and you can walk around 0.6mi to the Lingering Garden. But no subway stop is within walking distance to the other two.
Answered by Malcolm from FINLAND | Dec. 22, 2014 20:53
00Reply


The nearest metro station to Humble Administrator's Garden is Lindun Road Station. The distance is about 1.4 miles.
To Liu Yuan, the nearest metro station is Shilu Station. The distance is just about 890 yards.
To Tiger Hill, the nearest metro station is Shantang Street. The distance is about 2.3 miles.
Answered by Marie from CANADA | Sep. 04, 2015 01:38
00Reply


This isn't right. We are here right now and this is a totally different garden that is not anything special at all
Asked by Ng from MALAYSIA | Dec. 05, 2014 05:02Reply
Hi, if I reach Suzhou Railway station & intend to visit the following places:
a) SZ Musuem; b) Pingjing Road; c) Shantang Street & d) Lingering Garden.

What is the best route to start & end my visit? Is it easy to take bus or taxi (although I prefer not to take taxi after hearing incidences of over charging tourist)?

Your reply is appreciated. Tq
Answers (1)
Answered by Josey from USA | Dec. 05, 2014 20:42
00Reply


Well, the suggested route is: The Museum, Pingjiang Road, Shantang Street and Lingering Garden.
It's easy for you yo take a public bus and taxi in this city.Although there are direct buses between these four places, the bus stations aren't easy for you to find out. So you are suggested to take a taxi. The cab fare is not expensive. And the situation you said rarely occurs nowadays.
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