Changyuan Garden is located on Miaotang Street. It is a residential garden of the Qing Dynasty. The garden is located on the east side of the residence and covers an area of about one mu. Changyuan Garden is a typical small garden in Suzhou. It was built in the late Qing Dynasty. The owner of the garden is surnamed Pan. This garden has delicate gardening techniques. Although the area is small, the layout is ingenious. The garden scenery is rich and multi-level, with exquisite and exquisite characteristics.
Entering from the garden gate is the Osmanthus Hall. There were osmanthus trees and phoenix trees originally planted in the small courtyard behind the hall. Opposite the small courtyard is the Tonghua Study. Passing through the study, all the scenery of the whole garden is in full view.
The pool area accounts for about one-fourth of the whole garden. The lakeside stones are piled up along the shore, winding and uneven. At the southern end, a five-fold stone slab bridge divides the pool surface in two. There are sparsely planted lacebark pines, wisteria, pomegranates, osmanthus and other flowers and trees along the shore.
Going north along the east garden wall, the corridor winds and undulates, adjacent to the water and along the wall. There are two pavilions in the middle. One is the hexagonal Yanhui Chengqu Pavilion, and the other is the square Qijian Pavilion. Between the two pavilions, there are small bamboo and stone ornaments, elegant and fresh.
Passing the square pavilion, you will reach Liuyun Mountain Room, the main hall in the garden.The room, named after clouds, symbolizes unrestrained freedom and a detachment from vulgarity. It features a platform at the front of the hall that offers a panoramic view of the pool water, making it the principal vantage point within the garden.
Regarding the opening hours, the room remains closed all day from Monday to Friday, throughout the year. On Saturdays and Sundays, it is open to visitors from 09:30 AM to 16:30 PM, all year round.
