Nowadays, Mobile phones become more powerful than ever before. It can easily spot the restaurant that hidden in the corner of an unknown street. But can you imagine it fails to locate the garden that we are looking for today?
It may take at least half a day to visit Zhuozhengyuan (Humble Administrator’s Garden), one of the most famous gardens in Suzhou. Even a smaller Yipu Garden may take an hour. But can you imagine that the garden we’re looking for today, you can get the full sight without moving?
Based on the tiny teeny amount of information online, we searched very hard along Renmin Road and finally found it. People live in here were cooking when we arrived. As a result, we found this place thanks to the smell of food.
Canli Garden, or Garden of Incomplete Red Bean. The name comes from a poem in Southern Tang Dynasty. The garden was built in the late Qing Dynasty and only covers an area of 140 . It was the garden of salt dealer Yao Daji in Qing Dynasty. In 1931, painter Wu Shiqiu came to Suzhou and bought this garden, naming it Canli Garden. Now, Wu’s son Wu Yangmu lives in here.
The name of the garden comes from the poem of the third and also the last ruler of Southern Tang Dynasty during imperial China’s Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
It is indeed like a red bean, small and delicate……
140 is just the common size for an apartment in cities. But here, you’ve got rocks, ponds and beautiful views.
Striding over the antique gate in the style of 1920s or so, you’ll see a moon-shaped door. Behind it, a delicate artificial rockwork erects screening the interior designs.
This design could help people appreciate the beauty directly.
Going further inside, you will see rockworks made out of Taihu stones. Only few people know about this place, leaving it quiet and solitude.
On the northwest of this garden, Kuocang Pavilion occupies the highest spot, having ponds on two sides and walls on one side. The only wood structure in the garden, the pavilion was probably designed by someone who knew how to enjoy life.
(Old photo of Kuocang Pavilion)
Covering a small area, this construction makes good use of its space. Trees here are lush and thriving. Unfortunately, the 200 years old osmanthus is not in its best season carrying fragrance.
Entitled to a small coverage, Canli Garden has the proper and appropriate design. Plants, terraces and pavilions struggle to outshine each other, entertaining visitors.
“An old lady lived here and after she moved away, nobody takes care of the garden and leaves it into desolation.” A neighbor told our reporter.
We have less and less private gardens left, and less and less quietness. What was the last time that you truly appreciate the beauty of a garden? Give yourself some time, and give the gardens more appreciation.
