[2024 Suzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty(Huanxiu Villa) (Updated Oct)

Suzhou's Fourth Garden.

Suzhou's Fourth Garden: Huanxiu Villa Originally the site of the Jingu Garden of Qian Liu, the son of the King of Wuyue in the Five Dynasties, it was expanded and changed hands several times. In the 29th year of the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed Huanxiu Villa, also known as Yiyuan. Huanxiu Villa is famous for its ingenious rockery. The main peak is located in the southeast, the secondary peak is located in the northwest, and the pool water is located between the two mountains. It is simple and vigorous, with a rigorous structure and a well-arranged layout. It is as natural as it is, and it is unique in the south of the Yangtze River.

You can always trust the Chinese aesthetics of Suzhou gardens.

One step, one view Who likes this kind of Chinese garden aesthetics? Another underrated garden The garden is not big But it's very photogenic And there are few people 📍Huanxiu Villa

Old Photos of Huanxiu Mountain Villa in Suzhou

🦄 Recently, it has been heard that the rockery of Huanxiu Mountain Villa is critically ill and relies entirely on external support to maintain, which is very regrettable. According to records, this rockery was designed by the famous rockery artist Ge Yuliang during the Qianlong period. Liu Dunzhen commented, 'In terms of artistic level, the Suzhou lake stone rockery should be considered the best.' Although it occupies a small area, it is rich in variations, with peaks, caves, springs, and streams all present. The structure and craftsmanship are meticulously handled, blending seamlessly with nature. 🦄 More than ten years ago, there were few tourists in the garden. One could shuttle between the peaks and valleys, rest in the caves, and still find it quite interesting. However, the garden and pool were poorly maintained, with hygiene almost in a state of disarray, showing signs of considerable decline.

Suzhou's Huanxiu Villa is a niche garden that should not be missed

Huanxiu Villa is a small and inconspicuous garden in Suzhou, not very large in scale, but it is one of the nine World Cultural Heritage gardens in Suzhou, along with the famous Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden. After all, it hides the most beautiful rockery in the south of the Yangtze River. The villa was originally the 'Jingu Garden' of the Qian family from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. After several ups and downs, in the 12th year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (1807), Sun Jun invited the famous rockery master Ge Yuliang to reconstruct the garden. Since then, the garden has been known for its rockery. In the 29th year of the Daoguang era (1847), Wang Weiren purchased and built the Wang family ancestral hall, established the Gengyin Villa, and renovated the northeastern part of the garden. The garden became part of the 'Gengyin Villa' of the Wang family ancestral hall and was renamed 'Huanxiu Villa', also known as 'Yi Garden'. The entire Huanxiu Villa covers an area of more than two thousand square meters, with halls and courtyards in the front and pools and rockeries in the back. The rockery occupies only more than three hundred square meters, but it is famous throughout Suzhou for its ingenious stacking. The rockery, stacked by the Qing Dynasty master Ge Yuliang, plays a 'small but grand' scene in such a small space: streams, cliffs, precipices, canyons, stone bridges, secluded paths, and caves are all available, and there is even a pavilion on the mountain. The main peak of the rockery rises abruptly in the southeast, with a secondary peak to the northwest, and the pool water meanders between the two mountains, most of the rocks have whirlpool holes, and a few have wrinkles. The main peak is 7.2 meters high, the valley is 12 meters long, and the mountain path is more than 60 meters long. It is by virtue of this exquisite rockery that Huanxiu Villa has been successfully listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit and included in the UNESCO 'World Heritage List'. It occupies a place in Chinese garden architecture, and those who study the art and technology of gardening never underestimate this small garden. 📍Address: No. 272 Jingde Road, Gusu District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. 🎫Ticket: 15 RMB Opening hours: 08:30-16:00 🌈A Wonderful Introduction Entering the garden from the hall and courtyard, it takes only a few dozen steps to see the mountains, water, and architecture suddenly displayed before your eyes, unobstructed. According to Yang Hongxun's 'Discussion on Gardens in the South of the Yangtze River', there was originally a long corridor on the south side of the rockery, closely following the poolside, with windows left open at the protruding platform, and flower windows set up on the east side, allowing only the view of the mountain range from inside the building. Unfortunately, the corridor was later destroyed, and the entire rockery was laid bare. 🚶Tour Route From the main entrance, it is recommended to visit in the following order: Yougu Hall → Huanxiu Villa → Platform Rockery Landscape → Hanyun Pavilion → Side Building, Side Corridor → Wenquan Pavilion → Buqiu Boat → Bantan Autumn Water

Don't just go to the Humble Administrator's Garden when you come to Suzhou! These gardens are less crowded and more beautiful

6 Hidden Gem Gardens with Fewer Visitors on Weekends ① Keyuan Garden 📍: No. 3 Canglang Pavilion Street, Gusu District, opposite Canglang Pavilion 🚊: Line 4, Sanyuanfang Station Exit 2, about 500 meters walk ⏱️: Opening hours 07:30~17:00 ② Huanxiu Villa 📍: No. 272 Jingde Road, Gusu District 🚊: Line 4, Chayuanchang Station Exit 1a, 960 meters walk ⏱️: Opening hours 08:30~16:30 ③ Yipu Garden 📍: Taohuawu Street, Gusu District 🚊: Line 4, Chayuanchang Station Exit 5, still 1.5 kilometers away, you can visit Huanxiu Villa first and then go to Yipu Garden ⏱️: Opening hours 07:30~17:30 ④ Ouyuan Garden 📍: No. 6 Xiaoxin Alley, Neicang Street, Gusu District 🚊: Line 1, Xiangmen Station Exit 3, about 750 meters ⏱️: Opening hours 07:00~17:30 ⑤ Yiyuan Garden 📍: No. 1265 Renmin Road, Gusu District 🚊: Line 4, Yueqiao Station Exit 8, about 200 meters ⏱️: Opening hours 07:30~17:00 ⑥ Wangshi Garden 📍: No. 11 Kuojiatou Alley, Daichengqiao Road, Gusu District 🚊: Line 5, Nanyuan North Road Station Exit 4, about 600 meters ⏱️: Opening hours 07:30~17:00 How to Experience Suzhou Gardens from Multiple Perspectives ① Suzhou gardens perfectly create a profound and open atmosphere with ever-changing views as you move, through eight major landscaping techniques such as borrowing scenery and framing views, offering a magical experience where the small reveals the grand. ② Every time I visit Suzhou gardens, I am attracted by the various window frame designs in the garden; each window is like a painting, a world in itself, with sunlight and the full bloom of spring seemingly captured within. ③ I also like to observe some neglected corners, where moss climbs over the walls, resembling natural ink paintings; the wall serves as paper, the moss as ink, and bamboo completes the picture. The charm is so compelling that it makes one linger and forget to return. ④ The best way to immerse yourself in Suzhou gardens is to enjoy tea. Last weekend, I brought a set of high-aesthetic tea ware, a Tang Palace Tea Banquet gift set from Wanqiantang, which features the Tang dynasty trend of red and green contrast and precious patterns, very suitable for the garden setting; a combination of one pot and two cups with a plate, suitable for both personal use and gifting. Between the willows and pines, beside the pavilions and lakes, brewing a pot of tea and quietly enjoying the slow life is truly delightful.

Suzhou Gardens World Heritage List

Suzhou Gardens are an important school of classical Chinese gardens, exemplified by the Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, Master of the Nets Garden, and Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty, which were inscribed on the 'World Heritage List' in 1997. In 2000, the Canglang Pavilion, Lion Grove Garden, Couple's Retreat Garden, Garden of Cultivation, and Retreat & Reflection Garden were also included as world cultural heritage sites as extension projects. Suzhou Gardens originated during the Spring and Autumn period when the state of Wu established its capital in Gusu (during the reign of King Helü, 514 BC), took shape during the Five Dynasties, matured in the Song Dynasty, and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, there were more than 170 gardens in Suzhou, with over 60 well-preserved and 19 open to the public. The classical gardens of Suzhou integrate residences and gardens, offering beauty, recreation, and living spaces. This architectural form emerged in cities with dense populations and a lack of natural scenery, reflecting humanity's attachment to nature, the pursuit of harmonious coexistence with nature, and the beautification and improvement of their living environment. The classical gardens of Suzhou embody Chinese philosophy, history, and cultural customs. They symbolize and encapsulate the cultural and historical traditions and local customs of the Jiangnan region, showcasing the essence of Chinese culture. They hold a unique historical status and significant artistic value in the history of world gardening.

National Heritage Punch-in: Huanxiu Villa (Grade III)

Huanxiu Villa is located at No. 270 Jingde Road, Gusu District, Suzhou, and is a third batch national key cultural relic protection unit, dating from the Ming to Qing dynasties, categorized as ancient architecture. Huanxiu Villa was originally the site of the Jin Gu Garden from the Five Dynasties period, during the Ming it was the residence of the chancellor Shen Shixing, and in the Qing, it became part of the Wang family's 'Gengyin Yizhuang', renamed Huanxiu Villa. During the Qianlong era, the renowned rockery builder Ge Yuliang created artificial mountains in the garden, which are considered the best among Suzhou's lake stone rockeries. Although Huanxiu Villa is small in size, its rockeries are rugged and steep, with a majestic aura. The mountain paths wind and twist, with cliffs, caves, ravines, dangerous paths, precipices, stone chambers, and the Feixue Spring, among other features. The garden also retains exquisite and beautiful pavilion and tower structures such as the Buqiu Mountain Room and the Bantan Autumn Water. To reach Huanxiu Villa, exit at Yangyuxiang Station on Suzhou Metro Line 1 and walk for about one kilometer. The entrance fee for Huanxiu Villa is 15 yuan, but it's free with a Suzhou Garden Card. Like many other Suzhou gardens, the garden is filled with beautiful women taking photos. The rockery is the essence of the entire garden, but unfortunately, it is now in a precarious state, supported and fixed by steel pipes, which greatly detracts from its aesthetic appeal.

Always marvel at the undying extreme aesthetics in the bones of our ancestors

Orange and green, the charming scenery is the essence of deep autumn🍁 One must visit the gardens when in Suzhou, especially in the fall. Every brick and tile, every door and window, is an extremely ingenious arrangement. The wise ancients used techniques such as borrowed scenery and framing views, making every inconspicuous little tree, every unremarkable rock, create various wonderful scenes in the small garden. It can truly be said that there is a view at every step, and scenery everywhere. The ultimate in Eastern aesthetics awaits your discovery here. These few square pictures simply can't contain it all‼️ Tiger Hill Huanxiu Villa Yi Pu Humble Administrator's Garden Lingering Garden

I thought the autumn in Suzhou was very beautiful, until it snowed in Suzhou

My friend circle was also swiped by the heavy snow, and the snow in Suzhou was really too Gusu, Lan Wangji came to see the snow. The early winter in Suzhou, the first snow came poetically and pictorially. The fluffy snowflakes fell one after another, as if it was a carefully drawn scroll. - Location: Huanxiu Mountain Villa No. 262, Jingde Road, Gusu District, Suzhou 🈺️8:00-17:00 🎫15 yuan, garden card can be used ⏰In addition to the winter snow scene, the red maple here is also very popular.

Autumn colors fully dye the city of Suzhou | Suzhou Huanxiu Villa

Huanxiu Villa is not big, open the door to enter the garden, few people almost package the field, shooting portraits absolutely two maple trees ignite this autumn, the sun sprinkles down, red is so dazzling. Tour route: Depart from Suzhou city, take a bus or taxi to Huanxiu Villa. Ticket: 30 yuan/person Current situation: Mid-October to mid-November is the best time to enjoy the maple leaves, at this time the maple leaves have become very beautiful. As soon as you enter the park, you can feel the strong autumn atmosphere. The maple trees here have turned red and yellow, very beautiful. Under the sunshine, the maple leaves are particularly dazzling. In addition to maple trees, there are some other attractions worth seeing. For example, there is a courtyard with the feeling of a small bridge flowing water, and a small building with antique architecture. These attractions are very suitable for taking pictures to commemorate.

Explore Huanxiu Villa: Seeking the beauty of tranquility in the bustling city

🌳🌳Huanxiu Villa——A stunning Suzhou garden that is overlooked because of its name!🌳🌳 💖💖In Suzhou, there are 108 gardens that have been listed in the Suzhou Garden Directory. The Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, Lion Grove Garden, Canglang Pavilion, and Master of the Nets Garden are well-known, but there is a lesser-known garden that is rarely known to people, and that is Huanxiu Villa. Huanxiu Villa is located in the bustling city, but it is very quiet, with few tourists. The rockery in it is a unique feature of Suzhou gardens and is highly recommended!💖💖 🚕🚕Transportation route:🚕🚕 🏠Address: No. 272, Jingde Road, Suzhou City 🎫Ticket: 15 yuan, half price for students and children 7.5 yuan 🕰Business hours: 8:30—16:30 🚇Subway: Exit 3 of Yangyu Lane Station on Subway Line 1, walk 900 meters. 🎈🎈Huanxiu Villa was built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and was piled up by the famous rockery master Ge Yuliang. Its area is not large, only 3600 square meters, but it has a rich historical and cultural background.🎈🎈 🤩🤩Ge Yuliang made full use of the limited space, cleverly used various garden-making techniques, and complemented the rockery with pools, flowers, and trees, creating a unique aesthetic. 👍👍The biggest highlight of Huanxiu Villa is its rockery. These rockeries have different shapes, some look like lions, some like tigers, some like monkeys, lifelike, amazing. Moreover, the rockery complements the surrounding pools, flowers, and trees, creating a unique aesthetic. 🎈🎈If you like quiet, then Huanxiu Villa is definitely a good choice. Here, you can stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city, quietly appreciate the beautiful scenery, and feel the breath of nature.🎈🎈 🌟🌟In general, Huanxiu Villa is a stunning Suzhou garden that is overlooked because of its name. Although it is not as famous as the Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden, its beauty is definitely worth a look. If you come to Suzhou, take the time to come here for a walk, I believe you will definitely fall in love with it!🌟🌟

Friends who are interested in gardens can swim from some small gardens and have plenty of time to enjoy the taste. From shallow to deep, they can appreciate the beauty of Suzhou gardens. I saw all the important elements of Suzhou classical gardens in Yiyuan. The next one is to the small garden of Jingde Road: Huanxiu Mountain Villa, to understand the rockery in the garden. Don't look at its reputation, but together with the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden and the Net Master Garden, it became the first Suzhou classical garden to be included in the World Heritage List. The rockery in the park has the reputation of single step Jiangnan, which is a must in Suzhou garden. The entrance is super low-key, there are no more tourists in the garden. Looking through the iron fence below the huge gatehouse, the first feeling is a park that is not very prosperous. Going left and turning is the entrance to Huanxiu Villa. The garden that entered the second place is a lot smaller than the Yiyuan Garden. The corridors around it are wide and the courtyard in the middle. In the courtyard, two tall ancient trees were up, the east plant was Guangyulan, and the west plant was Pushu. Through Yugutang, you will walk to the center of Huanxiu Villa. The main hall is a rustic four-sided hall, named Huanxiu Villa, with mahogany as the main building material, dark red seat back, slate is a freehand landscape. The owner of the garden sits in the main hall and can see the landscape in the courtyard through the window and the door. The rockery of Huanxiu Villa is the most famous. Is it famous? First of all, the creator. The stacked stone rockery is the masterpiece of Changshan Dieshan master Ge Yuliang in the Qing Dynasty. His other work, Yangzhou Small Valley, is also very famous in the garden industry.