Lion Grove Garden

Introducing Lion Grove Garden
The Lion Grove Garden is also known as Shizilin (狮子林) in Chinese. The Lion Grove Garden one of the four famous gardens in Suzhou. This classic Jiangnan garden covers 1.1 hectares and boasts an array of magnificent rockeries. Lion Grove Garden is listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO, representing the quintessential garden structure of the Yangtze River region in China.

The garden’s most striking feature is its labyrinthine grotto of Taihu rocks, which resemble lions. Hence the name “Lion Grove.” These rocks create a unique landscape that captivates visitors. Originally the backyard garden of Putizhengzong Temple, it gained prominence after the honorable monk Tianru sermonized in Suzhou in 1341 AD. The disciples built a Buddhist temple for him, and the lion-like rocks became a defining feature.

The Qing Emperor Qianlong visited Lion Grove Garden six times, appreciating its allure. Inspired, he ordered similar gardens to be built in the Summer Palace in Beijing and the Summer Resort in Chengde.

Lion Grove Garden Fast Facts
• AKA: Lion Forest Garden
• Chinese Name: Shizilin 狮子林
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 2 - 3 x hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture, History and Culture
• Opening Hours: 7:30 – 17:30, 7:30 – 18:00 (Chinese statutory holidays)
• Entrance Fee: CNY30 (Jan – Mar, June, Nov – Dec), CNY40 (Apr – May, July – Oct)
• Address: No. 23 Yuanlin Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province

What UNESCO Says of the Lion Grove 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.

The History of the Lion Grove Garden
The Lion Grove Garden, established in 1342 AD during the Yuan Dynasty, was originally created by Zen Buddhist monks as a tribute to their master, Abbot Tianru (天如), as an integral part of the Bodhi Orthodox Monastery (菩提正宗). Following Tianru’s passing, the garden fell into neglect and changed ownership multiple times, undergoing various reconstructions and renovations over the centuries.

In 1917, the garden’s fortunes changed when Bei Runsheng (贝润生), a Shanghai pigment merchant and grandfather of renowned architect I. M. Pei, acquired the property. Bei completed an extensive restoration of the garden in 1926, preserving many of its original buildings and rock formations.

According to official records, the Bei family donated the property to the Chinese government in 1949. Subsequently, the Lion Grove Garden was opened to the public in 1954, allowing visitors to appreciate its historical and cultural significance.

What to Expect at Lion Grove Garden
This charming rock garden offers a world away from the grandeur of other gardens in Suzhou. Here, the focus shifts to the intricate beauty of the rock formations themselves. Each twist and turn of the garden’s winding path reveals an entirely new perspective on the garden, ensuring a journey of continuous discovery and surprise.

The Rockery Caves
Renowned for its superbly executed rock formations, the Lion Grove Garden boasts one of the largest and most well-preserved stone gardens in Chinese garden design, covering an impressive 0.15 hectares (0.37 acres). This historical and artistic marvel features a labyrinthine network of 9 winding paths and 21 explorable caves, twisting and turning horizontally and vertically to create a thrilling challenge for visitors. Along the way, a kaleidoscope of fantastical rock formations awaits, most sculpted into expressive animal forms, each with a unique character that contributes to the garden’s whimsical and awe-inspiring atmosphere.

Flower Basket Hall
The Flower Basket Hall sits gracefully facing a pond, its welcoming platform extending out towards the shore like an invitation to tranquility. The hall features over 20 windows, some displaying delicately engraved Tang Dynasty (618-907) poems, while others showcase intricate carvings of sweeping landscapes and intriguing figures.

Inside, the hall is a masterpiece. Columns rise gracefully to meet ceilings, their tops blossoming into ornate flower baskets overflowing with carved plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. At the heart of the hall, four screens unfold like a classical Chinese painting, transporting viewers to a world of serene mountains and flowing water.

Unmoored Stone Boat
Built in the early 20th century by the garden’s last owner, the Stone Boat boasts a unique two-tiered design for its middle and rear cabins. Eighty-six colorful stained-glass windows line its perimeter, bathing the interior in a kaleidoscope of light. The entire boat seems to float upon the water, connected to the shore only by a small stone slab bridge at its bow, resembling a gangplank. This bridge leads to a wooden threshold, the only entryway to the boat’s wondrous interior.

While the hull, beams, and roof are crafted from stone, the doors, windows, eaves, and interior decorations are made of wood. This juxtaposition of materials, along with the beautiful details, hints at subtle Western influences in its ornamentation, making the Stone Boat a feast for the eyes.

Pavilion for Greeting the Plum Blossoms
Perched atop an earthen hill and nestled amongst plum trees, the pavilion was a haven for painters and poets. Red and green blossoms carpeted the floor, their sweet perfume drifting through the open windows. Inside, the pavilion echoed the elegance of its namesake flower. Tables and chairs were crafted in the shape of blossoms, their undersides adorned with intricate carvings. Windows, floors, and even the eight-panel screen bore plum blossom motifs, a shining example of the literati’s refined taste.

How to Get to Lion Grove Garden
• By Bus: Take bus 301 to Suzhou bowuguan Station.
• By Subway: Take subway line 4 to Beisita Station.

Additional Travel Advice on Lion Grove 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.