Chinese Romance in Suzhou — The Humble Administrator’s Garden

In China’s Jiangnan region, four gardens are celebrated as the “Four Famous Gardens”: Zhan Garden in Nanjing, Lingering Garden in Suzhou, the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, and Jichang Garden in Wuxi. These landscapes carry centuries of history, and even today, visitors can still sense their timeless spatial poetry and refined aesthetics.

The Humble Administrator’s Garden — often called the “Mother of Chinese Gardens” — takes its name from Jin dynasty poet Pan Yue’s Ode to Idle Living: “The humble man’s way of governing.” Step inside, and you’ll find a world where water, plants, architecture, and light are composed with effortless grace.

 

A Garden That Feels Authentically Suzhou

The beauty of the Humble Administrator’s Garden is both authoritative and distinctly local

Meandering streams with jade-green ripples

Summer lotus blossoms and lush banana plants

Lattice windows framing shifting patterns of sunlight

Its design is meticulous yet never stiff — every view feels alive, like a scene from a living scroll painting.

Layout of the Humble Administrator’s Garden

Covering about 78 mu (13 acres), the garden is divided into East, Central, and West sections, with a residential area now housing the Suzhou Garden Museum.

  • Eastern Section – Bright and open, with gentle hills, pine groves, bamboo, lawns, and winding water channels.
  • Central Section – The heart of the garden, where water takes up a third of the area. The pond is ringed by lush trees and buildings of varied forms, arranged with masterful balance.
  • Western Section – Pond shaped like a carpenter’s square, with pavilions and covered walkways mirrored in the water. Here stands the famous Thirty-Six Pairs of Mandarin Ducks Hall, adorned with jewel-toned stained glass.

 

Must-See Scenic Spots

Though crafted by human hands, it retains the untamed charm of nature, preserving the elegance of its Ming dynasty origins. It remains a masterpiece of Jiangnan garden design and a living symbol of Chinese cultural heritage.

1 Wuzhu Youju Pavilion — A Room Within a Pavilion

At the eastern end of the central pond stands this square pavilion with a four-sided pointed roof. Twelve columns enclose an inner set of white walls, pierced by four moon-shaped doorways — each framing a different scene.

2 Thirty-Six Pairs of Mandarin Ducks Hall — A Jewel in the West Garden

A centerpiece of the western section, its diamond-shaped panes of blue and purple stained glass filter the light into a cool, shimmering glow. As the sun moves, the walls and floors become canvases of shifting color.

3 Little Flying Rainbow Bridge — Grace Over Water

A rare covered bridge in a Chinese garden, painted a vivid red and arching over a pond of water lilies. Visit around 3 p.m. for dreamlike, backlit photographs.

Heritage and Recognition

In 1961, the Humble Administrator’s Garden was named one of China’s first National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. In 1997, it joined the UNESCO World Heritage List along with other Suzhou classical gardens, and in 2007, it was rated a National 5A Tourist Attraction.

 

Travel Tips for Visiting the Humble Administrator’s Garden

∙ Best seasons: Spring for blossoms, summer for lotus flowers, autumn for golden leaves, winter for tranquil beauty.

∙ Photography hint: Afternoon light brings out the magic of its stained glass and bridges.

∙ Nearby attractions: Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, and the historic canals of Pingjiang Road.

Walking through the Humble Administrator’s Garden is like stepping into a living poem — every turn of the path, every reflection on the water, tells a story. Whether you come for its UNESCO heritage status, its architectural mastery, or simply to lose yourself in its quiet beauty, this Suzhou treasure will linger in your memory long after you leave.

Yanqi Lake

Yanqi Lake is located on the edge of the Great Wall at the foot of Yanshan Mountain, and flocks of wild geese come to live in the lake every spring and autumn, hence the name. It was officially opened to the public in 1987 to receive tourists. In 2001, Yanqi Lake was rated as an AAAA-level tourist scenic spot; the 2014 APEC leaders’ informal meeting was held here. In May 2017, the “the Belt and Road Initiative” International Cooperation Summit Forum was held here to discuss cooperation plans, jointly build cooperation platforms, and share cooperation results. Yanqi Lake once again became the focus of world attention.

Yanqi Lake is composed of two lake areas in the east and west. The water surface is wide. The scenic area of ​​Yanqi Lake is 21 square kilometers, the lake surface is 230 hectares, and the slow traveling system around the lake is 14 kilometers. Yanqi Lake has a flat terrain and wide water area, which is very suitable for various water and land entertainment projects. It is a well-known tourist scenic spot and water park in the suburbs of Beijing. There are dragon boats, painted boats, speed boats, self-driving speed boats, battery boats, big yellow duck boats and other water sightseeing boats in Yanqi Lake. In addition, there are more than a dozen terrestrial entertainment projects such as torrents, water landing, entertainment sports cars, ferris ring cars, pirate ships, bumper cars, cartoon trains, and carousel, etc., to meet the entertainment needs of different groups. Tourists can take a boat tour around the lake, around the island, or take a car tour, a cycling tour or a walking tour on the road around the lake.

After 30 years of development and construction, Yanqi Lake Scenic Area has made full use of its unique natural tourism resources to build an ordinary medium-sized reservoir into a city-level scenic spot and a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, making an ordinary reservoir management institution develop into a tourist resort integrating sightseeing, leisure and vacation together, and it has contributed to the establishment of a good tourism image in Huairou, Beijing.

Harbin Polarland

Harbin Polarland is located in Songbei District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province. It is the world’s first polar performance amusement park, one of the four major scenic spots of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, a national 4A tourist attraction, and China’s first amusement park with polar animal entertainment performances as the core. It features the most comprehensive show of Antarctic and Polar animals and polar animals and it was selected as the “Global Outstanding Scenic Spot” by the world’s largest travel website “Trip Advisor”.

Harbin Polarland is a polar performing arts amusement park. It has a complete range of polar animal and polar animal shows. In Harbin Polarland, in addition to watching polar bears, penguins, seals, rays and other polar animals and marine fishes, you can also enjoy the beluga show “Heart of the Sea” and see the two beluga stars “Mila” and “Nikola” work with two beautiful trainers to form a heart-shaped pattern and stage a romantic and beautiful story. The interior imitates the cabin design and adopts a one-way tour method, but it can be visited repeatedly.

The setting of Harbin Polarland is very high. Not only have polar bears and penguins successfully become neighbors here, but they also gather many species of animals that are very precious, cherished or rare in the world. The scenic spot is not mainly for watching animals themselves, but for animal performing arts and entertainment. The performance styles are diverse, mature, beautifully arranged, and highly enjoyable. There are many miraculous animals, such as the world’s only polar beluga underwater show, and the world’s first Antarctic penguin born in an inland city.

There are more polar animals in Harbin Polarland, and less marine life. It is suitable for taking children to take a look. Moreover, Harbin Polarland is very close to Sun Island. You can also go to Sun Island to play from the Polarland.

Selincuo Lake

The lake at Selincuo is 4,530 meters above sea level. The lake is 72 kilometers long from east to west with an average width of 22.8 kilometers, of which the widest is 40 kilometers in the east and the lake area is 1,640 square kilometers. It is the largest inland lake system in Tibet. There are many rivers and lakes in the basin that collude with each other to form a closed inland lake group. In addition to Selincuo, the main lakes also have 23 small satellite lakes such as Gerencuo, Wu Ru Cuo, and Reng Cuo Gongma. Every summer, the lakeside scenery is unique, and various migratory birds live on small islands in the lake.

No matter how good a painter is, he can’t paint such magnificent scenery in front of you. Selincuo Lake is like a blue jewel inlaid on the grassland. Not far away, there stands a mountain which is covered with hoarfrost, and the mountain peaks are surrounded by heavy layers of white clouds, and above the white clouds, it is the blue sky that looks like a mirror. At this moment, it makes people feel a little dazed. It is difficult to distinguish whether the mountain is in the lake or the sky.

This is the largest saltwater lake in Tibet. There are several large and small plateau lakes. They may be called holy lakes because of their beauty or legend. But Selincuo is not only vast, but it is precisely the kind of beauty that can shock people. There are harmonious beauty of hope and dreams in Selincuo, it is this original state of things changing and moving, making this place more and more beautiful under the nourishment of water.

SelinCuo is the second largest lake in Tibet after Nam Co and the third largest inland lake in China. The mountains are majestic, the lake is blue, cattle and sheep are in groups, and it is like a moving picture. Being enchanting and changeable are its posture, which also brings people deep shock and enjoyment. Here you can not only enjoy the dreamlike scenery; you can also experience the beautiful grassland scenery in northern Tibet. The lake is clear and transparent, reflecting different shades of blue and green in response to sunlight, which is very charming.

TianJin HaiChang Polar Ocean Park

TianJin HaiChang Polar Ocean Park is a national 4A-level scenic spot and a national science education base. With its rich and unique polar ocean resources, superb animal star interpretation, and diversified interactive projects, it is hailed as “one of the top ten marine theme parks popular among consumers ” and “the destination of parent-child travel projects”. TianJin HaiChang Polar Ocean Park is an open scenic area with an area of 49,000 square meters and a whale-like composite structure. With eleven exhibition areas, three major performances, five major animal science shows, overnight stays, night banquets and other high-end characteristic themed products, it is deeply loved by tourists.

TianJin HaiChang Polar Ocean Park is located on the south side of Tanggu District, Tianjin. It consists of 8 special tourist areas (ie, polar animal exhibition area, undersea tunnel exhibition area, beluga exhibition area, whale shark exhibition area, coral exhibition area, jellyfish exhibition area, children’s interactive area, and ocean fun theater). It is the largest ocean aquarium and polar paradise in Tianjin. Come here to watch various aquatic and polar animals, watch wonderful animal performances. It is a paradise for relaxing and entertaining on weekends and a good place to take children out.

In TianJin HaiChang Polar Ocean Park, you can see cute penguins, beluga whales and many marine animals. You can also touch various fish, shrimp, crabs, shells, corals, seaweed, etc. in the touch pool. It is very suitable for bringing children to experience. Visitors can also shake hands and kiss with dolphins in the park, and feed white whales by hand. Here, visitors can experience the country’s highest-end Polar Ocean Park.

TianJin HaiChang Polar Ocean Park has many wonderful animal performances every day, including funny or romantic performances of penguins, polar bears, sea lions, walruses and other animals. Please refer to the official website for specific performance times.

May Fourth Square

May Fourth Square is located on the seashore in the southeastern part of Qingdao City. On the square, there stands the fire-red sculpture “The Wind of May”, which symbolizes the spirit of Qingdao. It is very beautiful under the lights at night. Come here in summer to enjoy the sea view, and look at the lighthouse on the opposite side of the bay and the sailing boats at the Olympic Sailing Center, and appreciate the beautiful sunset on the sea here.

The May Fourth Square was built to commemorate the “May Fourth Movement”. The huge sculptures in the shape of the revolving “wind” were built to promote patriotism and inspire people to strive for strength. It often appears as a landmark in Qingdao in people’s vision. Walking on the square, you can sometimes see vagrant singers and street performers performing performances. On holidays, you may also catch the opening of the square fountain and sea fountain. You can also stroll along the beach to the nearby music square to enjoy creative sculptures.

May Fourth Square is close to the sea, and the sea breeze is blowing on the face, making people very comfortable, especially in the evening, when the setting sun is reflected on the sea, sitting on a bench really feels great. May Fourth Square is the most famous square in Qingdao. Tourists must take a visit here when they come to Qingdao. The square occupies a large area with a nice view, and is a good place for tourists to relax and entertain.

Every Saturday and Sunday, the light show in May Fourth Square is open. Those who want to see the light show should not miss it. May Fourth Square during the day is the same as an ordinary city square, but at night May Fourth Square under the shining light looks more attractive. The colorful neon lights and the high-rise lighting show relying on the sea is simply an oil painting. It is magnificent and makes people full of praise. People who want to go to May Fourth Square to play can take pictures there during the day and watch the light show at night, and this is the perfect trip!

Zhongshan Mountain Mational Park

Although Zhongshan Mountain Mational Park is also known as the Eastern Suburb Scenic Area, it is very close to the city center. Nanjing people prefer to call Zhongshan Mountain Mational Park the Purple Mountain. Zhongshan is 448.9 meters above sea level. From west to east, there are three major scenic spots: The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Tomb, and Linggu Temple. Among them, The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Tomb are must-visit attractions in Nanjing.

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is the mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen. You can see Boaifang, tomb passage, mausoleum gate, stele pavilion, sacrificial hall and burial chamber lined up on the central axis from south to north along the steps. The inscription on various buildings in the style of the Republic of China reflect Sun Yat-sen’s ideals. To the southeast of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Square, there is a music stage, which is a stage that combines Chinese and Western styles.

Ming Tomb

Ming Tomb is the mausoleum of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang and Queen Ma. You can come to the main building of the mausoleum through tortuous tomb passages. Ming Tom’s ticket includes Plum Blossom Mountain, so you might as well go there in winter, when the plum blossoms are just in bloom.

Linggu Temple

There are not as many visitors as the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Tomb in the Linggu Temple scenic spot. The original Linggu Temple is now in a corner. The central axis is mainly a series of buildings of the National Revolutionary Army cemetery. However, the only remaining building without beams of Linggu Temple in Ming Dynasty is still on the central axis, don’t miss it. Such a large hall does not need a beam and pillar, it is all made of bricks and stones, and the hall is a cemetery hall.

The environment of Zhongshan Mountain Mational Park is very good. The trees on both sides of the mountain road are connected to each other to form green umbrellas. It is very comfortable to walk on the tree-lined road, not to mention there are many scenic spots to visit, even some only are known to old Nanjing people, which makes Zhongshan Mountain Mational Park undoubtedly one of the most prestigious mountains in Nanjing. If time permits, stay in Nanjing for a while and go to Zhongshan Mountain Mational Park to climb the mountain every day. You can exercise and make different discoveries every day. As long as you don’t enter the paid attractions, the mountain climbing is free.

Qinghai Lake Erlang Sword Scenic Area

Qinghai Lake Erlang Sword Scenic Area is located on the south side of Qinghai Lake and is also the main scenic area of Qinghai Lake. This scenic spot is built by enclosing an area on the south side of Qinghai Lake. There are shopping centers, restaurants, hotels, etc., all of which are unique Tibetan-style buildings. In addition, other entertainment items such speedboats, sand motorcycles, and racetracks are also set up.

The scenic spot is mainly divided into two areas, one is a large square and street next to the road, and many buildings and cruise ship docks are also located here. The other is a narrow-pointed peninsula that is more than ten kilometers deep into the lake, and it is shaped like a sword. This is also the origin of the name of this scenic spot. There are some entertainment projects on the peninsula. To play the Qinghai Lake Erlang Sword Scenic Area, it is generally to walk from the gate to visit the squares and streets by the lake, visit the lake and Tibetan buildings, etc., and then take a cruise to play the entertainment projects in the peninsula area. It takes about 2-4 hours to visit the entire scenic area.

There are two Tibetan-style small streets at the square of the scenic area. There are some Tibetan prayer flags and sculptures around the streets and squares. On both sides of the streets, there are souvenir shops, restaurants, hotels, folk museums, herbariums, and Tibetan tribes. You can visit the exhibition halls and buildings full of Tibetan characteristics. When you walk to the lake from the square, you can see the vast blue Qinghai Lake right in front of you, and a wooden plank road has been built along the lake.

At the west end of the plank road, it is the cruise ship’s pier. Taking a cruise on the lake is the focus of Qinghai Lake Erlang Sword Scenic Area. There are two types of cruise ships. One is a medium-sized high-speed cruise ship with about 90 people. You can cruise on the lake for about 20 minutes, and then transport to the end of Qinghai Lake Erlang Sword Scenic Area. The other is a large cruise ship, which can cruise the lake for about 50 minutes and then return to the square pier. The ship has cafes, restaurants, VIP rooms, etc., which is more gorgeous and leisure.

Hemu Scenic Area

Hemu Scenic Area is located in Burqin County, Altay Region, northern Xinjiang, about 30 kilometers east of Kanasi Lake. It is a small village inhabited by Kazakhs and Tuva people. Generally, when tourists play in the north of Xinjiang, they will play Hemu Scenic Area with Kanasi Lake Scenic Area together.

All the houses in Hemu Village are simple log cabins, which are scattered in the valley among the mountains. The local ethnic minorities work in the yard and they look simple and quiet. The Hemu River flows by the village. The water is light blue and very clear. There are grasslands and birch forests around the village with beautiful scenery. In winter, the top of the mountain begins to accumulate snow and become small snow mountains, making the Hemu Scenic Area look like a fairy tale world.

Hemu Village is not big, the main road in the village is about two or three kilometers long, and you can just walk around the village. The observation deck is located on the hillside opposite the Hemu River. On the observation deck, you can take a panoramic view of the village, which is a good place for photographers to shoot large movies.

Hemu, a very beautiful and charming small village, is surrounded by mountains and the pristine natural scenery attracts many people to visit. Hemu Scenic Area is a very beautiful place, the scenery has snow mountains, rivers, wooden houses, grasslands, woods, with a little Nordic style. The vegetation here is lush, the flow of water is slow and clear, the villages with unique styles are scattered among them, the natural scenery is beautiful, and the four seasons are different. You can play horse riding, rafting, hiking. Staying one night here, you can feel the local folk customs and lifestyle. The scenery is nice, the climate is pleasant, the air is fresh, the unique charm of the architectural style is very suitable for taking pictures.

The Dazu Rock Carvings

The Dazu Rock Carvings is a general term for Buddhist rock carvings (grottoes) in Dazu District, Chongqing, including Baoding Mountain, Beishan Mountain, Nanshan Mountain, Shimen Mountain, Shizhuan Mountain, etc., where you can enjoy the preservation stone carving art in the Tang and Song Dynasties. There are as many as 75 caves and more than 50,000 statues. It represents the highest level of grotto art in the world from the 9th to the 13th century AD, and is the last monument in the history of human grotto art.

Among the stone carving groups, Baoding Mountain stone carving and Beishan stone carving are more concentrated. Tickets for Baoding Mountain and Beishan Stone Carvings are sold separately, and joint tickets can also be purchased. And these two scenic spots are more than ten kilometers apart. The remaining three scenic spots in the stone carving group are relatively remote or not yet open to the public.

Baoding Mountain Stone Carvings is located about 15 kilometers northeast of Dazu City. There are 13 landscapes, including Big Buddha Bay and Little Buddha Bay. There are many life scenes and stories in Buddhist scriptures.

Beishan Stone Carvings are located about 2 kilometers north of Dazu City, and were excavated in the Tang Dynasty and ended in the Southern Song Dynasty. The carved Buddha statues in Beishan are small and exquisite, with a variety of postures, showing a transitional style from Tang to Song Dynasty. For example, the Buddha statue No. 53 has both the plump and simple sculptures of the Tang Dynasty and the slender body with the statues of the Song Dynasty.

The Dazu Rock Carvings are Buddhist-themed stone carvings, which are very exquisite and spectacular. Each engraving has its own story, and it is still in color, and is very realistic and even vivid. Especially for the Buddha statues in the stone caves, it is needless to say that the expressions are very charming, even the tassels of the clothes are very special. In short, Dazu Rock Carvings is worthy of a visit.