The Lion Forest Garden is located at Yuan Lin Road of the ancient city of Suzhou, covering an area of 1.1 hectares. Serving as a fine specimen of the classical gardens of Suzhou, the Lion Forest Garden was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 2000. It was listed as cultural relics of national importance in 2006.
In the second year of the reign of Zhizheng of Yuan Dynasty (AD1342), disciples of the famous Buddhist Abbot Weize raised money to construct this garden. Because of a range of rockeries here resembling lions and with reference to Lion Peak of Mount Tianmu where the Buddhist Abbot Zhong Feng, teacher of Wei Ze, attained nirvana, the garden got its present name. Qing emperor Kangxi and emperor Qianlong visited this garden several times and even made replicas of it in the Yuan Ming Yuan Garden and Chengde Mountain Resort respectively. Known as “the Kingdom of Rockeries”, the Lion Forest Garden boasts labyrinthine rockeries ranges, artfully made with the upper, middle and lower layers of limestone, totally 21 serene caves and 9 winding stony paths. “Others say that I am living in the metropolis; however, my earthly surrounding produces the illusion of living among mountains”. These are vivid descriptions of the physical features of the garden. Bei Luming, the world –famous architect, once praised it as “ pictures drawing by nature”
Add: No. 23, Luan Lin Road, Suzhou City
Form of contact
Postcode: 215001
Tell : 0512-67773263 (also Fax Number )
Ticket price:
Busy season: 40 Yuan per visitor during April, May, July to October.
Off season: 30 Yuan per visitor during January, February, March, June, November and December.
Opening time:
1st March – 15th October 7:30 – 17:30
16th October – end of February of the next year 7:30 -17:00
The box office will be closed 30 minutes before the garden closes.
Transportation
a, Bus
Take the travelling bus No.1, travelling bus No.2, travelling bus No.5, bus 55, bus 202, bus 309, bus 529, bus 811 or bus 923, get off at Suzhou Museum, the Humble Administrator’s Garden and The Lion Forest Garden station, walk straight about 150 meters towards the south to Shi Lin Si Lane to reach the destination.
Take bus 301 or bus 305, get off at Southern Lion Forest Garden station, walk straight about 200 meters along the Yuan Lin Road to reach the destination or walk about 3 minutes to reach the Humble Administrator’s Garden
b, Rail Transit
Take line 1, exit from Lin Dun Lu station, walk about 100 meters towards the north to transfer travelling bus No.2, travelling bus No.5, bus 55, bus 202, bus 309, bus 529, bus 811 or bus 923, get off at Suzhou Museum, the Humble Administrator’s Garden and The Lion Forest Garden station, walk straight about 150 meters towards the south to Shi Lin Si Lane to reach the destination. Take bus 305, get off at Southern Lion Forest Garden station, walk straight about 200 meters along the Yuan Lin Road to reach the destination.
Notice:
In order to create a harmonious, beautiful, safe and orderly environment for all the tourists, the following notices are based on Scenic Spot Regulations of Suzhou and Administrative Regulations on the Protection of Suzhou Gardens.
First: Tourists should consciously obey the relevant laws and regulations of the state, province as well as municipality, preserve public order, and observe social ethics to be civilized tourists.
Second: Tourists should buy tickets voluntarily and then check it at the entrance to enter the scenic spot under the guidance of signs. Moreover, tourist who enjoy free entry by policy, should show the valid certificate.
Third: Tourists should take good care of flowers, trees and all the public facilities in the scenic spot. No picking flowers and fruits. No climbing and crossing buildings, rockeries and rails. No walking on grass. No scribbling and carving on trees, bamboos and architectures.
Fourth: No smoking. No firing except particular sites and scheduled activities. No private barbecues.
Fifth: Social Security Regulations will be strictly implemented. Lethal weapon and inflammable and explosive goods are prohibited to be taken into the scenic area. No causing disturbances and picking fights. Foreign vehicles, except disabled cars and baby carriages are prohibited from entering the scenic area.
Sixth: Setting up a vendor stand or photo stand to conduct business activities or selling products without permission are all prohibited. Charging tourists for explanation without permission is also prohibited.
Seventh: Dress neatly. No pets. No swimming and fishing except scheduled events. Opening and closing time should be observed.
Eighth: Garden Card for One Year can only be used by the designated holder during daytime and any transferrable behavior is prohibited. Otherwise, the card will be temporarily suspended and such qualification will be cancelled.
Ninth: Advertising and recordings of film and television without permission are prohibited.