Yan Garden, originally constructed during the Qing Qianlong period, was named by Jiang Yuanshu, who [...]
Yan Garden, originally constructed during the Qing Qianlong period, was named by Jiang Yuanshu, who was then the observer and educational commissioner of Fujian, after his perilous sea crossing. Inspired by the phrase ‘return of the swallows,’ he named it Yan Garden. As one of the many classical gardens in Changshu, it is divided into three areas.
The first area begins at the entrance, utilizing the vertical and horizontal corridors and the rocks behind them to create a sense of depth and mystery in the garden view. To the east lies a lotus pond and the ‘Seventy-Two Stone Monkeys’ rockery, with rugged rocks creating a unique world. To the east of the rockery, a brick staircase with varying heights and well-maintained bamboos form a ‘poetic realm,’ leading north to the Poetry Appreciation Pavilion, and further to the waterside stone boat named ‘Boat Returning from the Horizon.’
From the east-west corridor to ‘Wu Zhi Hall’ marks the second area. Wu Zhi Hall was the place where the garden’s owner used to meet and greet friends and relatives. A ‘Yan Valley’ rockery is placed in front of the hall. Behind Wu Zhi Hall is the third area, where the owner lived, separated from the hall by a rockery.
The garden features Wu Zhi Hall, Poetry Appreciation Pavilion, Three Charming Rooms, Boat Returning from the Horizon, Tong Chu Xian Hall, Poetic Realm, Yan Valley, Attractive Rock, Over Cloud Bridge, Green Corridor, Autumn Waiting, Winter Glory Old House, Bamboo Kitchen, Dreaming of Blue Lotus Temple, Yi Xi Pavilion, and Shi Lou, making up the sixteen scenes of Yan Garden. Among them, the ‘Yan Valley’ rockery is particularly notable. Created by the famous rockery artist Ge Yuliang, it is steep, dangerous, and clear, rivaling the rockeries of Suzhou’s Huanxiu Mountain Villa, Yangzhou’s Xiao Pan Valley, and Rugao’s Shuihuiyuan, earning the admiration of gardeners.
Opening Hours: 08:00-16:00 all year round.
Preferential Policies: Children under 1.2 meters (excluding 1.2 meters) are free of charge; children aged 7 (excluding) to 18 (excluding) enjoy half-price tickets with valid ID. Elderly aged 70 (including) and above are free of charge with valid ID; those aged 60 (including) to 69 (including) enjoy half-price tickets with valid ID. Active military personnel and retired military officers of the People’s Republic of China are free of charge with valid ID. Disabled persons and one accompanying person for severely disabled individuals are free of charge with valid ID.
Additional Notes: The above information is for reference only; specifics are subject to the public notice at the scenic spot.
