Couple’s Retreat Garden, an enchanting retreat

The Couple’s Retreat Garden located in Suzhou City has gained recognition as one of the region’s most esteemed parklands. The park seen today is an additional development made to the original park, the Sheyuan Garden which was created in the Qing Dynasty by Lujin. The garden as it is seen presently is considered to be amongst one of the outstanding classical gardens in Suzhou. The scenery of the area which spans 1.81 acres features rockeries, water features, green mountains, towers, elegant halls and pavilions, imposing trees and lovely blooms.

The Couple’s Retreat Garden was included in the World Heritage list of UNESCO in 2000. The park comprises of smaller houses and a large mansion constructed in the centre of the landscaping arrangement with two gardens located to the west and the east respectively. The park is surrounded on three sides by a large canal. Presently the garden features 21 couplets and tablets, 24 buildings, valuable ancient trees and brick carvings. The most attractive scenic areas are the Yellow Stone Rockeries, Western and Eastern Gardens, and the Chengqu Cottage.

The central mansion on the grounds resembles other such ancient edifices seen within Suzhou. The mansion features four principal terraces, of which each includes a main hall, guest hall and lobby. On the west and east sides of the mansion wing-rooms may be seen. The gate of the grounds is faced by a large courtyard.

Visitors may traverse the twisting corridors to reach the Eastern Garden, which features ponds and hills. In a corner the visitor will see the Chengqu Thatched Cottage, which lies adjacent to the Chuxiang House and other attractions.

Not to be missed is the Yellow Stone Rockeries, an artificial hill where visitors will see various platforms, stone chambers and a pool on the eastern side. The western section is less imposing but is still a charming part of the garden. Another key attraction is the Western Garden, which contains lakes, rockeries and platforms as well as the Heshou Pavilion and a library.

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