The Premier Garden of Our County in the Qing Dynasty | Taicang South Garden

When spring arrives and the scenery is bright, go out for a walk in the countryside, sweep the tombs, and visit the simple garden and blooming plum blossoms. Taicang South Garden is such a good place. 👍Recommended reasons: ✅ South Garden, known as the premier garden of our county in the Qing Dynasty. Built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty by Wang Wensu (styled Xijue), the prime minister of the time, it covers over 30 mu and mainly consists of "Embroidered Snow Hall," "Pool Reflection Pavilion," and "Fragrant Wave Pavilion." It was where Prime Minister Wang handled government affairs and cultivated plum blossoms and chrysanthemums. It is also known as "Grand Tutor's Mansion" among the locals in Taicang. In the early Qing Dynasty, Wensu's grandson, Wang Shimin, a famous painter, collaborated with rockery master Zhang Nangyuan to expand the garden. It was deserted during the Qianlong period, rebuilt during the Jiaqing and Daoguang periods, renovated during the Tongzhi period, and damaged again during the war. The garden was abandoned before the Great Leap Forward. In August 1998, the local government redesigned and renovated the garden based on original photos and drawings. ✅ The reconstructed South Garden covers over 50 mu, and the gatehouse is in a typical Ming Dynasty style. The plaque hanging on it with the two characters "South Garden" is the calligraphy of Dong Qichang, a great calligrapher of the Ming Dynasty. Dong and Wang Shimin were fellow friends. ✅ "Our county's gardens" pursue an ideal living environment where people can see mountains and forests in the city and live in harmony with nature. In South Garden, you can appreciate plum blossoms, architecture, small bridges and flowing water, and the peaceful life of Taicang's literati. 📌 Address: No. 7, Nanyuan East Road, Taicang City, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province ⏰ Opening hours: 8:30-16:30 🎫 Tickets: Free 🌼 Small Tips: Lunch suggestion: There is a "South Garden Noodle Restaurant" next to South Garden, which mainly serves Suzhou-style soup noodles at reasonable prices. It is a small noodle restaurant frequented by locals.