Representative of small gardens in Suzhou

Chang Garden is located at No. 22 Miaotang Lane, west of Suzhou city, covering an area of about one acre. It was built during the Qing Dynasty. After entering the garden gate, there is a small courtyard to the north, where osmanthus trees are planted. To the north, there is a three-bay Osmanthus Hall. Entering the Osmanthus Hall and passing through the small courtyard, you reach the Tonghua Study Room in the small four-sided hall, and the entire garden is then fully revealed. The pond is located at the center of the garden, occupying one-fourth of the total area. The pond is surrounded by halls, pavilions, corridors, rockeries, and flowers and trees, with the edges bordered by lake stones. The pond is narrow and long, with a five-fold stone bridge at the southern end, dividing the pond into two parts. Along the shore, white pines, crape myrtles, pomegranates, and osmanthus trees are sparsely planted. The yellow stone embankment, lush flowers, and trees create an ancient and elegant atmosphere. Following the east wall northward, passing through the hexagonal Yanhuichengqu Pavilion and the square Qijian Pavilion, the winding corridor meanders along the water and walls, adorned with small bamboo and stone ornaments, adding to the charm. Crossing the square pavilion on the north shore, you reach the main hall, Liuyun Mountain House. The spacious platform in front of the hall faces the pond and is one of the main viewing points in the garden. Heading south along the west corridor, you reach the Boat Hall, Diwochenjin. The east side of the hall faces the pond, opposite the Qijian Pavilion. Following the corridor southward, passing the square pavilion facing the small pond, you can climb the lake stone rockery in the southwest corner. At the top of the rockery is the Waiting Moon Pavilion, the highest point in the garden, connected to the winding corridor. From the pavilion, you can descend the stone steps through the stone cave or return to the Tonghua Study Room via the slanted corridor at the southern end.