Atlas of China
Lion Grove Garden 狮子林Shīzi Lín
4A scenic area · National heritage site · Suzhou, Jiangsu
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Days to budget
- Half a day
- City
- Suzhou
- Region
- Jiangsu
- Type
- Heritage
- Listed as
- 4A scenic area, National heritage site
About Lion Grove Garden
A garden founded in 1342 by disciples of the Chan monk Tianru as part of a Buddhist monastery, named after its Taihu rocks, which are said to look like lions. Its centre is a huge labyrinth of rockery, with paths, tunnels and caves that climb and twist so that visitors can see each other but take a long way round to meet; halls and a pavilion in the lake surround it. In 1917 it was bought by Bei Runsheng, a great-uncle of the architect I. M. Pei, and it is part of the Classical Gardens of Suzhou World Heritage Site.
How to get to Lion Grove Garden
On Yuanlin Road in the north-east of Suzhou's old city, a few minutes' walk from the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Suzhou Museum.
Nearby
- Classical Gardens of Suzhou 苏州园林 under 10 km
Whole landscapes of rock, water and pavilion folded into a city block - Zhouzhuang 周庄古镇 30 km
Jiangnan's most famous water town, famed for its Twin Bridges and merchant halls
Also within 20 km: Prince Zhong's Mansion (Suzhou Museum) 太平天国忠王府 (under 10 km), Beisi Pagoda (Bao'en Temple) 北寺塔 (under 10 km), Pan Family Mansion (Ligeng Hall) 卫道观前潘宅 (under 10 km), Pingjiang Road Historic District 平江历史街区 (under 10 km), Xuanmiao Temple 玄妙观 (under 10 km), Couple's Retreat Garden 耦园 (under 10 km).
On the map
Open Lion Grove Garden on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it and what else is close, and to add it to a trip.
Open Lion Grove Garden on the map