Surging Waves Pavilion

Constructed by the prominent Northern Song poet Su Sunqin, the Surging Waves Pavilion (Canglang Garden) is the oldest one among all the existing classical gardens of Suzhou. It is also one of the four most famous gardens in the city - the others being Zhuozhengyuan (Humble Administrator's Garden), the Shizilin (Lion Grove) and Liuyuan (Lingering Garden). It features a range of man-made mountains covered with towering old trees and bamboo, and adorned with simple, plain buildings and latticed windows of great excellence inside the garden, and the broad expanse of crystalline water outside. Compared with other classical gardens of Suzhou, the Surging Waves Pavilion has no equal in terms of urban scenery.
 

 

Brief History

The garden has been rebuilt many times but most of the present garden buildings, simple and plain, are from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

This is the eldest of the Suzhou gardens preserved today. It occupies an area of 1.1 hectares, and was built during the Northern Song's Qingli period (1044 A.D.). The garden was originally the private property of a prince of the Five Dynasties (907-960). During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), the poet Su Shunqin was dismissed from office, and came to Suzhou because he felt that the location of the planned garden had fresh air, quiet environment and natural streams. He spent 40,000 units of old style money to buy the property, and started to build the garden next to the water. He called it the Surging Waves Pavilion. After the death of Su Shunqin, it passed through many owners and went through both splendor and decay several times. In 1696 during Kangxi period of the Qing dynasty, it was restored by Song Luo, the governor of Jiangsu Province. At that time its location was moved into the fields; terraces, corridors and other buildings were constructed. Next to the pond a stone bridge was built forming the entrance. This is the basic foundation of the garden in its present stage. In 1827, ownership passed to governor Tao Zhu and again in 1873 ownership was transferred to the governor Zhang Shusheng. In 1955, the garden was opened to the public.

The garden has been rebuilt many times, but most of the present garden buildings, simple and plain, are from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). On Nov. 2000 it was added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO.
 

Highlights to See in Surging Waves Pavilion

Surging Waves Pavilion take the wooded mountains as the main view, surrounding by featured buildings, pavilions, pools and undulating long corridors. In addition to hills and waters, the garden is also famous for buildings with unique latticed windows. With different impressive designs, these windows have extremely high artistic value.

Surging Wave Pavilion, a square pavilion, stands at the top of a hill. Couplets carved on its stone pillars read: "The refreshing breeze and the bright moon are priceless. The nearby water and the distant mountains strike a sentimental note." The Surging Waves Pavilion is situated next to a big pond, and the water streaming from this pond surronds half the garden and departs from the south. Adjacent to the water are winding corridors, rockeries and old trees. This type of layout mixes views from outside and inside the garden.

Enlightened Way Hall, located at the foot of the hills, is the major building of the garden. It was a hall for lectures during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Surrounded by verdant trees, it looks significant, though the structure is of simple architectural style.

Bamboo Forest is another beautiful site in the garden. Bamboo is a traditional plant in classic Chinese gardens. There are more than 20 varieties of different bamboos in the garden.

Yin Xin Stone House, located in the southwest of the garden, is a small rockery cave. Boarding it, you can have a pleasant view of Suzhou City.
 

How to Get to Surging Waves Pavilion

It is easily reached by taxi; if you prefer public bus, you can take 1, 5, 27, 30, 39, 101, 102, 103, 218, 261, 308 or 309 to get there.

Garden Characteristics

Borrowed Scenery and Open Layout: The garden uniquely incorporates the living water of the Fengxi Stream outside its walls. Through the use of a Double Corridor, the artificial mountains inside the garden are visually connected to the external stream, creating a distinctive "water outside, mountains inside" layout that breaks from the traditional enclosed garden design.

The Double Corridor and Lattice Windows: The Double Corridor stretches over 100 meters and is famed for its lattice windows, no two of which have the same design (108 patterns in total). The interplay of light and shadow through these windows creates a "scenery that changes with every step" effect, making it one of the three most famous corridors in Suzhou's gardens.

Natural Rustic Charm: The garden's main feature is an earthen and rock artificial mountain, covered with towering ancient trees and clusters of Indocalamus bamboo. This preserves the Northern Song literati garden style that pursued a natural, untamed aesthetic.

Practical Information

Address: No. 3 Canglangting Street, Gusu District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province.

Ticket Price:

Peak Season (Apr 16 - Oct 30): 20 RMB

Low Season (Oct 31 - Apr 15): 15 RMB

Opening Hours:

Peak Season: 7:30 - 17:30 (Last entry at 17:00)

Low Season: 7:30 - 17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)

Transportation: Take Suzhou Metro Line 4 or Line 5 to "Nanmen" station. Exit from Gate 3 and walk about 800 meters to reach the garden.

Recommended Tour Route

Entrance & Imperial Stele Pavilion: Upon entering, first visit the Imperial Stele Pavilion to learn about the historical background and cultural origins of Surging Waves Pavilion.

Double Corridor & Lattice Windows: Stroll along the Double Corridor and admire the 108 uniquely shaped lattice windows. Through these windows, the scenery inside and outside the garden blends ingeniously, allowing you to appreciate the spatial layers and the sophistication of "borrowed scenery."

Fish-Watching Spot & Facing Water Pavilion: Pause at the Fish-Watching Spot and Facing Water Pavilion along the waterside section of the corridor. Enjoy a close-up view of the river outside the garden and experience the harmonious blend of water and mountain landscapes.

Surging Waves Pavilion: Ascend to the Surging Waves Pavilion atop the artificial mountain. This is the highest point in the garden, offering a panoramic view of the landscape. Admire the famous couplet carved on its stone pillars: "The refreshing breeze and the bright moon are priceless; The nearby water and the distant mountains strike a sentimental note."

Enlightened Way Hall: This is the main hall of the garden, once a place for literati lectures. The walls are hung with stone rubbings from the Song Dynasty, adding to the cultural atmosphere.

Shrine of Five Hundred Sages: This shrine contains 594 stone portrait tablets of historical figures connected to Suzhou, making it an excellent place to learn about the city's history and culture.

Green Grotto: A building themed around bamboo, surrounded by countless swaying bamboo stalks. The green bamboo against the white walls creates a scene of pure jade and emerald, perfect for quiet contemplation.

Mountain View Tower: Located at the southern end of the garden, this tower is an excellent spot to appreciate the garden's overall layout, offering a commanding view of the perfect integration of water and mountain scenery.

Hall of Fragrance: Situated in the southwest of the artificial mountain, the Hall of Fragrance is surrounded by fragrant sweet osmanthus trees, making it ideal for enjoying their aroma in autumn.

Visiting Tips

Time Allocation: It is recommended to allocate 1-2 hours for your visit. For a deeper experience, consider extending your stay to 2-3 hours to slowly savor the garden's details and artistic conception.

Best Time to Visit: During the twilight hours, sunlight filters through the leaves onto the winding paths, creating a beautiful interplay of light and shadow reminiscent of an ink-wash landscape painting, offering a uniquely charming experience.

Photography Tips: The lattice windows of the Double Corridor, the couplets on the pillars of the Surging Waves Pavilion, and the bamboo shadows at the Green Grotto are excellent photo spots. Experiment with different angles and lighting effects to capture the garden's beauty.

Cultural Experience: If interested in history and culture, pay attention to the stone steles and carvings within the garden to learn about its historical changes and the stories of the literati associated with it.

Nearby Recommendations

Food: Nearby, "Su Yaxing · Literati Su-style Noodle Restaurant" offers Su-style noodles like Three Delicacies Noodles and Crab Roe & Shrimp Noodles, which can be paired with desserts such as Matcha Tofu Pudding and Iced Tofu Pudding.

Other Attractions: The surrounding Shi Quan Street, Wuque Bridge, Suzhou Confucian Temple, Couple's Garden Retreat, and Master-of-Nets Garden are also worth visiting and can be incorporated into your itinerary.

Surging Waves Pavilion, with its simple yet elegant Song Dynasty-style architecture, unique Double Corridor and lattice window designs, and profound historical and cultural heritage, stands as an unmissable classic among Suzhou's gardens. May your visit immerse you in the poetic romance of Jiangnan gardens and leave you with beautiful memories.