Yiyuan Garden, originally constructed in the 20th year of the Jiajing era (AD 1541), was acquired by Wen Zhenmeng, the grandson of the renowned artist Wen Zhengming, in the 48th year of the Wanli era (AD 1620), and was then known as the ‘Medicine Garden’. In the 16th year of the Shunzhi era (AD 1659), the garden was purchased by Jiang Cai from Laiyang, Shandong, and renamed Yiyuan Garden. This small garden, notable for its Ming Dynasty artistic characteristics, is one of the smaller yet exquisite gardens in Suzhou. The layout is concise and open, with a natural and unpretentious style, devoid of any ostentatious or artificial embellishments. Its artistic value surpasses that of many late Qing Dynasty gardens. From the arrangement of mountains and waters to the spacing of pavilions and the meticulous handling of every stone and tree, the garden exudes a simple yet elegant style. Centered around a pond, the garden is divided into residential and garden areas. The north side of the pond is dominated by buildings such as Boya Hall and Yan Guang Pavilion, while the south side focuses on mountain scenery. Near the pond, there are artificial cliffs and stone paths made from lake stones, which are both varied and natural. To the east of the pond is the Ruyu Pavilion, a remnant of the Ming Dynasty. Looking south from the waterside pavilion, the integration of mountains and waters, along with lush forests, creates a wild and rustic charm, which serves as the main focal point of the garden. The combination of pond water, stone paths, and cliffs, which draws inspiration from nature while striving to surpass it, is a common garden design technique used by landscape architects in the Suzhou area during the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. Opening hours are from March 1st to October 31st, 07:30 to 17:30; and from November 1st to February 28th, 07:30 to 17:00. Concessions are offered to children under 6 years old (inclusive) or with a height of 1.4 meters (inclusive), with valid identification, free of charge. Minors aged between 6 and 18 years old (inclusive) are eligible for half-price tickets with valid identification. Seniors aged 70 and above (inclusive) enter for free with valid identification; those aged between 60 and 70 (exclusive) receive half-price tickets with valid identification. Full-time university undergraduate and below students enjoy half-price tickets. Disabled persons and one accompanying person for severely disabled individuals enter for free with valid identification. Active duty military personnel and retired military officers of the People’s Republic of China enter for free with valid identification. Eligible preferential treatment recipients with the ‘People’s Republic of China Veterans’ Preference Card’ or ‘People’s Republic of China Martyrs, Military Personnel Died in the Line of Duty, and Deceased Military Personnel’s Dependents Preference Card’ enter for free (excluding garden-within-a-garden, in-park charges, and night tour projects). Medical staff in Suzhou enjoy free admission to the scenic area for seven days starting from International Nurses Day on May 12th and Chinese Physicians Day on August 19th (May 12th to 18th and August 19th to 25th). Medical staff in Suzhou must present their ‘Personal ID’ and ‘Suzhou Medical Staff Free Garden Card (electronic card)’ for direct entry without reservation fees or first gate ticket charges.
Yipu Garden is a place of natural beauty and cultural significance. Please note that the information provided is for reference only, and the specific details should be confirmed at the attraction’s official notice. Admission is free of charge. It is essential to verify the details before planning your visit to ensure a smooth experience.
