Yiyuan Garden: A Hidden Gem of Suzhou’s Boutique Gardens in the Bustling City

In Suzhou, if you want to avoid the crowds and encounter the poetic charm of Jiangnan, Yiyuan Garden is definitely the top choice![Smart]
Located next to the lively Guanqian Street, it feels like a paradise away from the world, peaceful and serene. The garden features exquisite and elegant sights such as covered corridors, rockeries, and lotus ponds, drawing on the strengths of many gardens while maintaining its unique charm. Strolling through it, you can almost feel the quiet flow of time.
🎈It is hidden at No. 1265 Renmin Road, Gusu District
🚇 Take Metro Line 1 or 4 to Leqiao Station and exit from Exit 8 for direct access.
✅ Tickets are only 15 yuan, free with a garden card, and half-price for students 👩‍🎓 and seniors 👵
⏰ Opening hours are 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:30 PM.
Stepping into Yiyuan Garden, “a winding path leads to the street and exits to the south alley,” instantly cutting off the noise. Following the winding path, “beneath the trees, the flute plays and cranes return,” the Yuyan Pavilion comes into view, surrounded by green bamboo, evoking the poetic scene of “ten thousand bamboo rods striking jade, a hat extending autumn, and a refreshing breeze.” The stone inscription in Dong Qichang’s cursive script, “Sitting quietly to contemplate the myriad wonders, the Dharma talks suit my feelings,” adds a touch of Zen to the place.
Inside the Poxian Qin Pavilion, it seems the thousand-year-old qin music still lingers. The lake rock in the courtyard, resembling a bent old man listening to the qin, seems to have frozen time. “The Phoenix Pavilion meets visitors, Yiyuan Garden’s covered corridor above,” stepping onto the covered corridor, one side faces the tranquil “deep pond with a thousand willows and moon,” the other side the peaceful “quiet road and half-lake sunshine.” With every step, the gentle elegance of Wu culture is fully displayed.
The northern courtyard of Baishi Pavilion is full of rugged rocks, evoking thoughts of Mi Fu’s obsession with rocks; the southern courtyard’s skylight is evergreen with pine, holly, square bamboo, and camellia, truly deserving the name “Cold Season Cottage.” The Xiaocanglang Pavilion stands by the lotus pond, “where the winding water meets Canglang, the smoky pavilion is hexagonal and empty.” From the pavilion, you can take in the entire garden view, with three Taihu stones in the northeast being the garden’s treasures.[Heart]
🏨 Hotel recommendation: Suzhou Houju Courtyard Design Hotel[Flirt] Convenient for travel, with everything you need for dining, entertainment, and fun nearby - ̗̀(๑ᵔ⌔ᵔ๑) The metro station is right outside the door, making both taxi and metro rides very convenient (◕‿◕)✌️ The front desk staff are very friendly and warm, a highly recommended hidden gem hotel[666]

Post by michaellighthouse | Sep 3, 2025