HERITAGE RECORD · 813

Classical Gardens of Suzhou

苏州古典园林

The official record, selection criteria and sourced cultural context.

World Heritage record

Classical Chinese garden design, which seeks to recreate natural landscapes in miniature, is nowhere better illustrated than in the nine gardens in the historic city of Suzhou. They are generally acknowledged to be masterpieces of the genre. Dating from the 11th-19th century, the gardens reflect the profound metaphysical importance of natural beauty in Chinese culture in their meticulous design.

Open the official UNESCO record ↗

Wikidata reference

QIDQ1144337 ↗

Area11.922 ha

Administrative areaQ42622

WikipediaClassical Gardens of Suzhou ↗

Chinese Wikipedia苏州古典园林 ↗

Imported locally from Wikidata; it does not replace the UNESCO record or editorial copy.

Selection criteria

This property was inscribed under the following World Heritage Convention criteria.

(i)A masterpiece of human creative genius.

(ii)An important interchange of human values in architecture, technology, arts, town planning or landscape design.

(iii)A unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilisation.

(iv)An outstanding example of a building, ensemble or landscape illustrating a significant stage in human history.

Cultural archive

Related poem

When you reach Suzhou, you will see that every household rests beside the river.

杜荀鹤 Du Xunhe · 《送人游吴》 / Seeing a Friend Off to WuOriginal: 君到姑苏见，人家尽枕河。Original work in the public domainSource ↗

Related poem

The moon sets, crows cry, frost fills the sky; by maple and fishing lights, I sleep with sorrow.

张继 Zhang Ji · 《枫桥夜泊》 / A Night Mooring by Maple BridgeOriginal: 月落乌啼霜满天，江枫渔火对愁眠。Original work in the public domainSource ↗

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