Canglang Pavilion



Not only one of the four most renowned Suzhou gardens, Canglang Pavilion is also the oldest existing
garden in the city and a model of Song-dynasty gardens. It was first constructed in the 10th century, and
Su Shunqing, a poet of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), gave it this name, meaning Surging
Wave Pavilion.

During that part of history, a scholar Su Shunqing was demoted and sent to Suzhou. He bought the
garden and built the pavilion in a setting adjacent to water that was on the property that would enhance
the beauty of the garden. The garden was then named Canglang Pavilion in honor of his namesake,
Canglang Wong.

Unlike other gardens, Canglang Pavilion emphasizes the harmony between man made buildings and
the natural environment. Before entering the garden, you can see beautiful scenery composed of a green water pool that is surrounded by a growth
of weeping willows. Long corridor traces the bank of the pond right outside the garden. The rocks, winding corridors and flowery walls are the three
characteristic features of Canglang Pavilion.

The Canglang Pavilion in the shape of a square stands at the top of the mountain and has a parallel couplet from the Song poets on the stone
pillars to heighten artistic conception, reading," The refreshing breeze and the bright moon are priceless, the nearby water and the distant
mountains strike a sentimental note".

In the garden you will see incredible man made rock formations that are divided into two parts. On the eastern side, the earth has been mixed with
natural yellow stones and built in such a manner that it resembles a natural hill. On the western side, exquisite stones from the lake have been
used to create another naturally appearing hill. Both of these rock formations have been planted with green trees and viridian bamboos that add to
the beauty of the scene and create the sensation of walking in a primitive mountain forest. There are also winding corridors with pavilions that link
the hills and pools together. As you walk along these corridors that follows a path alongside the unique stone formations and strategically planted
ancient trees, it seems as if you were walking in a primitive forest. The architectures that have been built in the garden are simply and classically
designed which present a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) style.

Celebrated for the delights of the wilderness of mountain and forest scenery, the Canglang Pavilion is
the oldest among the existing classical gardens of Suzhou.