Jinjiang Inn (Suzhou Guanqian Street)

Lion Grove Garden

by cheezecake_deli

Dating from the 14th century, the Lion Grove Garden's (Shizi Lin) dominating feature is rocks - lots of ornamental rocks fished out of nearby Lake Tai. Some of these resemble lions in various poses, hence the name of the garden. The casual visitor may find this garden rather bleak, but ornamental rocks are an important part of the traditional Chinese garden, usually used to symbolise sacred mountains. There is also a bit of history to this garden - it was visited by the Qing emperor Qianlong, who, having enjoyed a wander through its rockery maze, composed calligraphy in praise of the garden (the true story is a bit more complicated, involving editing of the calligraphy by the garden's owner to save Qianlong's "face" - ask a local to tell you!).

Couple's Retreat Garden

by Willettsworld

Located on the north-eastern edge of the ancient city, this garden was first created in the early Qing period as a pleasure garden of Lu Jingzhi. In 1874, Shen Bingcheng acquired it and expanded it to its present size. Later, Shen and his wife retired here and renamed it "the Garden of Couple's Retreat".

Admission: Y20.

cultural hodge-podge

by poops

"poetic temple"

Han Shan Si is a temple made famous by its inclusion in a well-known Chinese poem. expect nothing more than it's poetic association, the emphasis being on the latter.

"China's leaning tower of Pisa"

I'm not sure of the connection between Italy and suzhou but Marco Polo might be responsible. Nonetheless, the brick tower is indeed leaning and too much to its right that it's been scientifically predicted to collapse in about 50(?) years. nothing much can be done to halt the inevitable though due to its method of construction.

"cocoon"

one can't mention suzhou without bringing up her silk. it's purportedly the best in China due to the high-quality mulberry shrubs the land produces. well, if ugly ducklings can turn into swans, ugly cocoons can turn into beautiful silk too.