Garden of Solitude and Meditation in Suzhou
Description:
The Garden of Solitude in Suzhou is called one of the masterpieces of Chinese garden architecture. However, it is not too large (only 0.5 hectares) and does not belong to the imperial gardens: it was founded by an official who left the civil service. In 1593, Mr. Xu Taishi laid the garden, two hundred years later it passed into the hands of Liu Shu, and in 1873 the garden was expanded by its new owner Shen Han. The garden later became state property.
The main element of the garden is water. Everything is based on small canals and ponds, arranged in abundance in the garden. The center of the old part of the garden is the Tuanchi Pond, surrounded by artificial rocks and buildings of the Haibi Villa.
It is believed that the garden is ideal for reading books, wushu gymnastics, drawing, calligraphy and soul rest.