The Garden of Cultivation is one outstanding representative of Suzhou classical gardens, but it is located at deep lane, where it is a little difficult to be found, so it is not well-known by tourists. On the contrary, local people prefer drinking tea with their friends in the teahouse of the garden.

People will calm down as soon as they enter inside the garden. Wisteria is intertwining each other on the top to make a cover in the front yard.

Fry Pavilion is standing at the waterside of the pool, where tourists can sit down for a rest and enjoy the surrounding beautiful views.

The garden was first built by Yuanzugeng/袁祖庚 in Ming Dynasty, who hated serious offical corrruption and resigned at the age of 40. The second owner called Wenzhenmeng/文震孟, who was the great grandson of Chinese-famous artist-Wenzhenming/文徵明. He was one of Number One Scholars/状元 in Ming Dynasty, so the Garden of Cultivation is the only garden, which Number One Scholar even stayed. 

The third owner of the garden was called Jiangcai/姜埰, who was from Laiyang, Shandong. He was resigned from national government offical because he spoke something wrong to the empire in Qing Dynasty. His son changed garden name to the Garden of Cultivation after he died.

Pool is the essential element of Suzhou classical gardens. The Garden of Cultivation features the artificial mountain in the south, which was totally made of Taihu stones, and the buildings cluster in the north.

The teahouse is very popular by local people. Some of them often come to do exercising, drink tea and meet their friends.

The teahouse is adjacent to the pool, so people who are sitting in the teahouse can enjoy the full wonderful scenery outside.

I was touched by the tranquility when I was alone staring at such beautiful views out of windows. It is at that time when I can feel how fascinating Suzhou gardens are!

The Garden of Cultivation is hidden in the deep lane, but tourists can experience local lifestyle when they walk in the lanes to the garden.

If they have a little free time, they can see the old magnificent city gate-Changmen/阊门 connecting to Shantang old street/山塘街.

Recommended Day Tour:

Visit Tiger Hill/虎丘 in the morning, take the boat to Shantang old street/水上游山塘, taste Suzhou local food in the street/苏州美食, walk to the Garden of Cultivation/艺圃, Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute and Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty/刺绣研究所和环秀山庄.