Characterized by rockeries and pavilions surrounded by water, maze-like Lion Grove Garden is one of the most popular of the classical gardens of Suzhou. [Photo/visitsz.com]

Suzhou, a city in east China's Jiangsu province, is famous for its delicate classical gardens. Built between the Northern Song Dynasty and the late Qing Dynasty, the classical gardens of Suzhou feature miniature rocks, hills and elegant pavilions set amidst murmuring waters. Their elegant aesthetics have been imitated by other gardens in China, including some of the imperial gardens. Nine of the best in Suzhou were listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1997 and 2000 successively.

Nineteen of the 69 well preserved gardens are open to the public. Featured among them are some which rival the Summer Palace in Beijing and Chengde Mountain Resort in Hebei province, such the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden.

From the arrangement of rocks to the strategically located pavilions, every part of the classical gardens is meticulously designed. Following the concept of borrowing neighboring scenery to create a harmonious view, the gardens create beautiful scenes in limited spaces for visitors to appreciate from different vantage points.

Inspired by the poetic imagery of ancient Chinese landscape paintings, Suzhou's gardens were built in a similar way -- refined, elegant, and free.

Ye Shengtao, a famous writer and educator and also a local resident, cites the gardens' beautiful architecture and their art of harmoniously joining human and natural elements in his "The Classical Gardens of Suzhou".

The gardens date back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) when Wu State's king He Lv established a capital in 514 BC in today's Suzhou area.

Every year, especially during official holidays, they receive a steady stream of visitors from across the world.

The Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo/asianewsphoto]