World Cultural Heritage: The Classical Gardens of Suzhou

Watch Video: Suzhou gardens

Date of Inscription: 1997

Assessment of the World Heritage Committee:

The four gardens in the historical city of Suzhou top all others in reflecting the ideal design philosophy for Chinese classical gardens, which is creating stunning sceneries in limited spaces. The Classical Gardens of Suzhou are considered to best reflect this design philosophy. Being built during the 16th century and the 18th century, the Suzhou gardens with their elaborate design shows the profound Chinese cultural conception of being from but beyond nature.

Chinese name: Su Zhou Gu Dian Yuan Lin

English name: The Classical Gardens of Suzhou

Code: 200-019

The Lion Grove Garden, the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden and the Master of the Nets Garden in the Classical Gardens of Suzhou were listed as world heritage sites in 1997 according to world heritage selection criteria C (I) (II) and (VI). The Surging Waves Pavilion was also included in the World Heritage List in 2001.