The Yiyuan Garden is one of the youngest classical gardens in Suzhou. It has been recognized as one of the most representative Suzhou gardens, comprising a garden, a lotus pond, residences, artificial villages and ancestral halls. Yiyuan used to be a private garden of Gu Wenbin, an official of the late Qing Dynasty. The name of Yiyuan (Garden of Happiness) comes from the Analects of Confucius, meaning "happiness of brothers".

The garden, much younger as compared with other classical gardens in Suzhou, incorporates all the fine elements of Suzhou gardens while preserving its own unique style. With the corridor as the boundary, the garden is divided into the eastern and western parts. The eastern part used to be the old residence of Wu Kuan, a minister of the Ming Dynasty, consisting of architectural structures and courtyards. The western part takes the central part of the Humble Administrator's Garden as the model, mainly composed of artificial hills and ponds. A long stone, which is inserted on the wall of the corridor, is inscribed with calligraphic works by famed calligraphers of the past ages, ranking first in all the gardens of Suzhou.

Travel Service

Transport: Bus Nos. 1, 8, 9, 20, 21, 38, 46, 68, 101, 102 and 103

Opening Hours: 07:30-21:30