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Suzhou, a cultural and historical city in east China's Jiangsu Province, is celebrated
around the world for its elegant gardens.
The history of Suzhou's gardens can be traced as far back as the Spring and Autumn
Period (770 BC - 476 BC). Distinctive gardens continued to appear throughout the
subsequent dynasties, but it was during the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911)
that the garden art of Suzhou was at its zenith. The prospering city and its outskirts
were dotted with exquisite private gardens. Dozens of them, such as Zhuozheng
(Humble Administrator's) Garden, Liuyuan (Lingering) Garden, Wangshi (Master of
Nets) Garden and Huanxiu (Embracing Beauty) Mountain Villa, are still well preserved
today.
Imperial gardens and private gardens each developed their own distinctive features
over many years. The imperial gardens of Beijing are considered the finest examples of
that style. They are noted for their expansive size, grandeur and stateliness. The
gardens of Suzhou are the epitome of landscaping art for the private garden, with
their delicacy, intimacy, and simplicity. The designers of private gardens, not bound by
the rigid conventions of the imperial court, had greater freedom of expression in their
art. ….read more at www.chinahourly.com