Lion Grove Garden (Shizilin)

The basics

First laid out in 1342, Lion Grove Garden is one of Suzhou’s most visited classical gardens. Once you’ve bought your ticket, you’ll need to follow the predetermined route to keep in step with other travelers. It’s close to the Humble Administrator’s Garden, which is, alongside the Lingering Garden, the most famous of Suzhou’s gardens, so some Suzhou tours visit both.

While Suzhou offers plenty of accommodation and lots to do, many travelers visit on day trips from Shanghai by bullet train. Joining a tour makes it easy to visit one or more of Suzhou’s scenic canal towns alongside a garden or two: Tongli Water Town and Zhouzhuang Water Town are the best known, and Tongli houses the UNESCO-listed Tuisi Garden (Retreat and Reflection Garden).

Things to know before you go

• The Lion Grove Garden is a must for photographers, fans of garden design, and lovers of Chinese culture.

• The garden covers 2.7 acres (1.1 hectares), so allow 0.5–1.5 hours depending on how many photos you plan to take.

• Narrow, winding pathways mean the Lion Grove Garden isn’t a practical destination for travelers who rely on wheelchairs.

When to get there

A roofed walkway runs around the Lion Grove Garden, meaning you can enjoy its rocks and reflecting pools in all weather and seasons. It’s open daily but you should plan your visit for mid-week and avoid the Golden Week vacations at the start of May and October.

Suzhou’s best classical gardens

The Humble Administrator’s Garden, the largest of Suzhou’s classical gardens, and the Lingering Garden, first laid out by a doctor to help his patients heal, are considered two of China’s top four gardens. Despite the crowds, they’re a must for lovers of garden design. If you’d like a quieter experience, head to the Canglang Pavilion (Blue Wave Pavilion), the oldest of Suzhou’s gardens, which dates back to the early 11th century.

How to get there

Most travelers arrive in Suzhou by bullet train to Suzhou Station, which is about a 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) walk from the garden. Avoid Suzhou North Station, which is 10 miles (15 kilometers) to the north. Tourist bus Y1 runs from Suzhou Station to the Lion Grove Garden and also stops at the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Lingering Garden.