Garden of Cultivation

A small, well-preserved Ming-dynasty scholar's garden in Suzhou, prized for the harmony and restraint of its design rather than its size. A single broad pond forms the center, spanned by a low covered bridge and framed by an airy waterside hall, rockeries and a rare surviving Ming-era studio. Its careful proportions and largely intact original layout have earned it a place among the classical gardens of Suzhou inscribed as world heritage. Visitors follow winding galleries around the still water, enjoying a quieter atmosphere.