Canglang Pavilion
» Suzhou, Jiang Su

沧浪亭 清风明月本无价,近水远山皆有情

No.3 Canglang Pavilion Street

Canglang Pavilion is located in the southern part of Suzhou City, and is one of the four most famous gardens of the city. Canglang Pavilion is the oldest of the Suzhou gardens that can be traced back to the Northern Song Dynasty (906 - 1127). During that part of history, a scholar Su Shunqing was demoted and sent to Suzhou. He bought the garden and built the pavilion in a setting adjacent to water that was on the property that would enhance the beauty of the garden. The garden was then named Canglang Pavilion in honor of his namesake, Canglang Wong.

Unique Features

Natural and harmonious design

The uniqueness of Canglang Pavilion lies in the harmony between man made buildings and the natural environment. Covering an area of 10,656 square meters, the garden, carefully arranged around the rock formations and connected by a long roofed walkway, features a range of man made rock formations inside the garden and waterscapes outside. Proceeding past the pure expanse of water over a zigzag bridge of stone and through the entrance, one comes to the garden and catches sight of man made mountain covered with age-old trees and bamboo, running from east to west. The whole pavilion is rather elegant, like a graceful lady.

Two meaning of "natural"

It is not construction skill that gives Canglang Pavilion its reputation, but its natural beauty. Here "natural" has two meanings. First, the builders tried their best to keep the original characteristics of the materials when building the garden. They added no unnecessary decorations to the building materials. Second, the workers and craftsmen made every effort to make the water and the rock formations integrated whole - just like natural scenery.

Man made rock formations

In the garden you will see incredible man made rock formations that are divided into two parts.

  • On the eastern side, the earth has been mixed with natural yellow stones and built in such a manner that it resembles a natural hill.
  • On the western side, exquisite stones from the lake have been used to create another naturally appearing hill.

Both of these rock formations have been planted with green trees and viridian bamboos that add to the beauty of the scene and create the sensation of walking in a primitive mountain forest.

Winding corridors

There are also winding corridors with pavilions that link the hills and pools together. As you walk along these corridors that follows a path alongside the unique rock formations and strategically planted ancient trees, it seems as if you were walking in a primitive forest.

Architectures

The architectures that have been built in the garden are simply and classically designed which present a Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) style.

Main Scenic Spots

Winding corridors throughout the garden link the scenic spots of the garden. On the walls of the corridor, there are 108 lattice windows of various designs through which you can enjoy the beauty of the pool outside and the hill in the center of the garden. The intricate patterns of the windows are interesting and enhance the beauty of the corridor.

Facing Water Veranda

Facing Water Veranda is a four-sided hall beside the water to the west of the corridor. When you are tired after long walk, you can sit and drink a cup of tea while enjoying the quiet and beautiful surroundings of the garden.

Fishing Terrace

At the eastern end of the corridor, a square pavilion sits on a stone beside the pool. It is called Fishing Terrace which is a perfect place to sit and watch different varieties of fish swimming in the pool.

Canglang Pavilion

Crossing the corridor, you can climb up the man made rock formation along a gently winding path. Among a sea of green trees, a square antique Canglang Pavilion can be seen indistinctly. The beams of the pavilion are carved with intricate patterns of fairy children, flowers, birds, and animals. Its stone pillars display a parallel couplet from a Song poet on its stone pillars reading: "The refreshing breeze and the bright moon are priceless, the nearby water and the distant mountains strike a sentimental note." From inside the pavilion, you can see the beauty of the entire garden.

Mingdao Hall

This hall is the main building in the garden. In the hall are three rooms that were once used as a place for ancient scholars to study. Inside the hall, there are also rubbings of three stone tablets including the Astronomic Picture, Geographic Picture and Pingjiang Prefecture Picture which are the priceless treasures of Suzhou. In a setting of age old trees, the hall looks very solemn and venerable.

Fragrance House

It is to the west of the Mingdao Hall. When autumn comes, the house is filled with the delicate fragrance of the sweet-scented osmanthus that grows within the grounds of the garden. While sitting in Fragrance House, it is easy to enjoy both the beauty of the green rock formations and blue pools as well as the faint scent of osmanthus that adds to the joy and comfort of the scene.

Five-Hundred Famous Ancient Sages Hall

The hall is also an important building in the garden. The stone statues of 594 ancient sages of Suzhou are encased in the walls of the hall and form a large art gallery. The hall adds cultural atmosphere to the natural beauty of the whole garden.

Mountain-Watching Building

In the southern end of the garden, a two-storey building called Mountain-Watching Building stands majestically in the garden. With its flying eaves and turned up corners, it is one of the most exquisite buildings in the garden. From inside this building, you can see the mountains around the garden as well as the beauty of the entire garden.

Something to remind you

  • At the same time you could visit Suzhou Art Museum or Yuan Wenliang Memorial Hall where his oil paintings are displayed. The ticket of Changlang Pavilion enables you visit here free of charge.
  • Because there are quite few tour parties here, you can avoid being interrupted by the harassment of tweeter. You may enjoy opportunities to sit here quietly and listen to the chirping of birds and the hissing of insects.

How to get there

Tourists can take No. 2, 4 and 5 touring bus, No. 39, No.101, No. 102, No. 103, No.308 or No. 309 bus to Changlang Pavilion.

When to visit

  • Opening Hours: 08:00a.m. - 17:00p.m.

Attractions around » Suzhou, Jiang Su

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

Cultural Site

Shopping & Leisure

Shopping & Leisure

  Weather

  1. How about the weather in Suzhou?
  2. When is the best time to visit there?

  Travel

  1. How to rent a bicycle?
  2. Write down names and numbers if you don't speak Chinese.

  Customs

  1. Could you tell me something about local festival - Ya Shenxian?

  Other Hints

  1. People do tips there?
  2. Do people speak English there?

  • How about the weather in Suzhou?

    Suzhou is located in a subtropical monsoon zone, so the weather is mild and moist with four distinct seasons.

    The Plum Rain Season of June is followed by a hot July. After July, a harvest autumn arrives. Both the fresh fruits and the seafood will surely whet your appetite.


    • When is the best time to visit there?

  • It's best to visit Suzhou between January and April because the temperature is not too low and the flowers are in full bloom until June.


  • How to rent a bicycle?

    You can find bicycles for rent at a lot of place, but you will need to leave deposit and show your identity card.


  • Write dowm names and numbers if you don't speak Chinese.

    Being a foreigner in China, is quite demanding as you would have to struggle with the language barrier. Our best tip for people travelling from one place to another is to know the chinese character of the place you intend to go to and make sure you jot down the plate number of the bus, and it may prove very helpful once you leave some stuff behind.


  • Could you tell me something about local festival - Ya Shenxian?

    Ya Shenxian (April 14th in Chinese lunar calendar)
    April 14th is said to be the birthday of Lv Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals in Chinese Taoist mythology.

    On that day, he comes to Suzhou disguised as a human to spread happiness and prosperity. To receive more luck from the immortal, people from all over Suzhou crowd the streets in celebration.

    Today, this activity has turned into a bustling temple fair with various displays including handicrafts, plants, animals, and local snacks.


  • People do tips there?

    People here in Suzhou usually don't do tips. You don't have to pay porters for carrying things around for you. You don't have to pay waiter or waitress for bringing your dish.

    But some tips might make their life a bit easier. So tip or not tip, all depends on your personal preference.


  • Do people speak English there?

    The official language of China is Mandarin, though regional dialects pervade every corner of this massive country. Learning a few phrases in Mandarin is sufficient for travel in Suzhou.

    While younger Chinese and those involved with the tourist industry may understand varying degrees of English, it is still advised that visitors carry the name of their hotel and other important destinations written in Chinese characters.


Covering an area of 10,656 square meters, the garden, carefully arranged around the rock formations and connected by a long roofed walkway, features a range of man made rock formations inside the garden and waterscapes outside.

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