Shizilin Garden
» Suzhou, Jiang Su

狮子林 谁谓今日非昔日,端知城市有山林

Lion Grove

No.23 Yuanlin Road

Shizilin Garden (Lion Grove) is located in the northeast of Suzhou - a city with profound cultural background and convenient developmental advantages. It is one of the four most famous and representative gardens of ancient classical style in Suzhou City. The other three are Canglang Pavilion, Liuyuan Garden and Humble Administrator's Garden.

The history of the garden

Built in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1368) by Monk Tianru and a group of Buddhists of the Zen Sect, in the memory of High Monk Zhongfeng, the Shizilin Garden has been changed hands and renamed several times. It was first given the name of Lion Forest, as the grotesque rocks of its man-made hill resembled lions. Later, in 1342, its name was changed to Puti Temple. The Shizilin Garden was a popular center for Buddhist, as well as literary activities. Many scholars created their paintings or lines after being inspired by the garden.

After Monk Tianru's death, the Shizilin Garden was abandoned and became dilapidated. In 1589 of the Ming Dynasty, Monk Mingxing rebuilt the garden and temple with donations he had collected. During the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), the two parts were separated. Huang Xingzu, the governor of Hengzhou, bought the garden and renamed it She Garden. His son, Huang Xi gave it a new name - Five-Pine Garden in 1771, after a major renovation was carried out. The garden was again left in ruins due to the Huang family's bankruptcy, until it was purchased by the Bei family in 1917. After the founding of the People's Republic, the garden was donated to the government. From then on, it has been under good protection.

What to appreciate

With an area of 10,000 square meters (2.5 acres), the Shizilin Garden boasts 22 buildings of varied types, 25 tablets, 71 steles inscribed with the handwritings of famous calligrapher, 23 brick carvings as well as 5 carved wooden screens. The mountains of the Shizilin Garden are not high, but contain many cavities, some high up, giving the feeling of magnificence. The ponds are not deep, but has multi-layered, curving edges and many waterfalls next to flower beds, and many old, famous trees of beautiful appearance. Halls, buildings and pavilions are even more refined; it is truly a famous garden of the middle Wu Kingdom.

Pavilions and towers

Covering an area of about 10,000 square meters (two and a half acres), Shizilin Garden is an ideal sightseeing site as it has richly ornamental pavilions and towers in different styles; each has its own history and story.

  • True Delight Pavilion (Zhenquting) is said to be the most magnificent in Shizilin Garden due to its royal style and Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, who visited the gardens six times, in 1765, wrote its plaque.

  • The name of Standing-in-Snow Hall (Lixuetang) came from a Buddhist story about a pure-hearted Zen adherent standing in snow for a whole night to worship his master.

  • Pavilion for Greeting the Plum Blossoms (Wenmeige) was a place where painters and poets indited. In addition to the plum trees around the pavilion, all the furniture and utensils inside are decorated or carved with beautiful plum blossom designs.

Tablets and steles

Furthermore, many rare tablets and steles, paintings and calligraphies are kept in Shizilin Garden, including precious artwork "Panoramic View of" by Ni Yunlin, also called Ni Zan, and the "Twelve Scenic Spots in Shizilin Garden" by Xu Ben, both were famous painters from the Ming Dynasty.

Labyrinthine rockery

As the representative garden of the Yuan Dynasty, the most noted and attractive scenery of Shizilin Garden is the labyrinthine rockery, which was mostly made of the limestone from Lake Taihu in Wuxi City. Reputed as the "Kingdom of Rockery," the rocks were piled up skillfully and ingeniously, and most of them look like lions in different postures and verves: playing, roaring, fighting, sleeping, or even dancing.

Nine-Lion Peak

It is said that looking north from Small Square Hall (Xiaofangting) one can see nine stone lions standing in a row and that is the Nine-Lion Peak. Due to the changes and ravages of the time and climate, the peak now only bears little resemblance to the lions.

Pathways and caverns

There are altogether 9 paths and 21 caverns cross among the steep peaks, sharp crags and narrow valleys made up by countless grotesque rocks. Walking through those numerous winding pathways and caverns of the anfractuous stone forest, one could easily lose one's way. With the old pines and cypress trees, the whole landscapes represent scenes of real mountains and forests.

Importance in history

The whole structure of Lion Grove Garden shows a flavor of Zen Buddhism and is an apotheosis of the gardens' constructions. A part of the Imperial Summer Resort of the Qing Dynasty in Chengde of Hebei Province was a mimic of Shizilin Garden. The garden occupies a very important place in history, representing the diversity of cultural and architectural development in Suzhou over the years.

How to get there

Take Bus No. 2, 3, 4, 40, and Tourist Bus No. 1, 2, 5, all to the garden

When to visit

The Shizilin Garden show different beauty all the year around. The best time to visit the garden is from April to October. The weather is good despite a tendency to be rainy and the osmanthus trees flower at this time, perfuming the whole garden even the whole Suzhou City. Flower and Garden Exhibition is always held during the spring and the autumn.

  • Opening Hours: 07:30a.m. - 17:30p.m.

Attractions around » Suzhou, Jiang Su

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

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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.


Reputed as the "Kingdom of Rockery," the rocks in the Shizilin Garden were piled up skillfully and ingeniously, and most of them look like lions in different postures and verves: playing, roaring, fighting, sleeping, or even dancing.

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