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Couple's Retreat Garden
Introducing Couple's Retreat Garden
The Couple’s Retreat Garden is also known as Ouyuan Garden. The Couple’s Retreat Garden is a renowned garden located in Suzhou city. Like many gardens in Suzhou, Couple’s Retreat Garden has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the Couple’s Retreat Garden served as a private residence for a retired government official Shen Bingcheng (沈秉成) and his wife Yan Yonghua (严永华). Its name, derived from the Chinese character “耦” (Ou) meaning “couple,” symbolizes the balance and connection within.
Encompassing 1.97 acres, the garden is designed to evoke peace and togetherness. A central residence hall is the heart of the space, flanked by two symmetrical courtyards, one to the east and one to the west. Visitors can wander along winding paths, tucked between moss-covered rocks and delicate bamboo groves, finding moments of intimate seclusion. Intricately carved pavilions are scattered throughout, whispering tales of enduring love. Every detail contributes to the garden’s allure, making it a top destination for visitors both at home and abroad.
Couple's Retreat Garden Fast Facts
• AKA: Ouyuan Garden
• Chinese Name: Ouyuan 耦园
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1 - 2 x hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture, History and Culture
• Opening Hours: 7:30 – 17:30 (Mar – Oct), 7:30 – 17:00 (Nov – Feb)
• Entrance Fee: CNY20 (Jan – Mar, June, Nov – Dec), CNY25 (Apr – May, July – Oct)
• Address: No. 6 Xiaoxinqiao Lane, Cangjie Street, Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
What UNESCO Says of the Couple’s Retreat Garden
The classical gardens of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China date back to the 6th century BCE when the city was founded as the capital of the Wu Kingdom. Inspired by these royal hunting gardens built by the King of the State of Wu, private gardens began emerging around the 4th century and finally reached the climax in the 18th century. Today, more than 50 of these gardens are still in existence, nine of which, namely the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, Net Master’s Garden, the Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty, the Canglang Pavilion, the Lion Grove Garden, the Garden of Cultivation, the Couple’s Garden Retreat, and the Retreat & Reflection Garden, are regarded as the finest embodiments of Chinese “Mountain and Water” gardens. Conceived and built under the influence of the unconstrained poetic freehand style originally seen in traditional Chinese landscape paintings, they are noted for their profound merging of exquisite craftsmanship, artistic elegance and rich cultural implications. These gardens lend insight into how ancient Chinese intellectuals harmonized conceptions of aestheticism in a culture of reclusion within an urban living environment.
What to Expect at the Couple's Retreat Garden
The Couple’s Retreat Garden embodies the unique charm of Suzhou’s classical gardens. Its harmonious design and intricate details enchant all who enter.
The Yellowstone Rockery
The Yellow Stone Rockery in the east courtyard is a renowned masterpiece among Suzhou garden rockeries. At its heart towers the “Cloud-retaining Peak,” its steep presence dominating the landscape. To the west, the gentler “Peach Islet” hill provides a beautiful contrast. A meandering path, suggestive of a mountain trail, separates these formations, flanked by sheer, awe-inspiring cliffs.
The eastern edge of the main peak plunges dramatically into a precipice, cascading down to the serene pool below. On the north side, rows of large, vertical stones mimic weathered boulders, adding to the atmosphere of rugged beauty. Trailing vines and creepers further blur the lines between art and nature, enhancing the illusion of a natural mountain landscape.
The Pavilion of Love & The Pavilion of Melody
The Pavilion of Love is where Lady Yan Yonghua, mistress of the residence, graced each day with melodies from her Guqin (a Chinese musical instrument). To the left lies the The Pavilion of Melody, a sanctuary where her beloved husband, Shen Bingcheng, would sit and lose himself in her music. The lingering notes wove a bridge of love, binding their hearts together throughout years. Even now, long after they are gone, the echoes of their love story resonate deeply within the garden walls, touching the soul of every visitor.
How to Get to Couple's Retreat Garden
• By Bus: Take bus 2, 9, 40, 60, 900, to Xiangmen Station.
• By Subway: Take subway line 1 to Xiangmen Station.
Additional Travel Advice on Couple's Retreat Garden
• Please book the entrance ticket via Suzhou Tourism Official Account on WeChat or official website (https://www.szylly.com) with your passport details.
• Keep your passport on you to claim the ticket.
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