Jiangsu province recently announced a test run to promote free access to classical gardens across the province. A total of six classical gardens, including Fangta Garden and Zengzhao Garden in Changshu, Suzhou will open to the public free of charge starting January 1, 2022.
Fangta Garden
Situated in the east of the old town of Changshu, Fangta Garden, with a total area of nearly 30,000 square meters, is a classical garden built on a historical site of the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
The garden got its name from the square pagoda inside. The nine-story pagoda, first built in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), is a landmark in Changshu and was listed as a key cultural heritage site under state protection in 2006. It is also one of the three treasures in the garden together with the ancient well and ginkgo tree.
The garden boasts an array of structures modeled on those in the Song Dynasty, which not only emanate imperial characteristics, but also complement the bridges, pavilions, ponds, rockeries and plants.
Address：Fangta Garden, 28 Huancheng East Road, Suzhou
Zengzhao Garden
Formerly known as “Xiaowangchuan” in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the garden was divided into two parts — Zengyuan Garden and Zhaoyuan Garden — in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). After years of renovation, the two parts have merged into a whole and are collectively called Zengzhao Garden.
Zeng Pu, famous writer and translator in modern China, spent his youth and remaining years in the garden, where he wrote A Flower in a Sinful Sea, one of the four great critical novels in late Qing Dynasty, and caused a great sensation.
Multiple ancient structures are laid out around the open water in the center of the garden. Pavilions are well spaced and there are so many beautiful things that one simply can’t take them all in.
Address：Zhao Garden, No. 26, jiuwanwei, Huancheng West Road, Changshu, Suzhou, Jiangsu