Top 10 private gardens in China

（People's Daily Online）  13:23, June 20, 2013  

Garden building is considered a chief component of Chinese culture which creatively shows the natural landscapes in miniature. The Chinese garden has a long history. There are both imperial gardens and private gardens. Here we list 10 most famous private gardens for you reference. If you like Chinese gardens, these are must-see attractions that you should never miss.

Zhuozheng Garden (Humble Administrator's Garden), Suzhou, Jiangsu Province

Zhuozheng Garden was first built in the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Zhengde of Ming Dynasty in 1509. It covers an area of 52,000 square meters. The garden is the best representation of Chinese classical gardens of the Ming Dynasty. Its design is duplicated in many places throughout China, and there is even a replica in the New York Metropolitan Museum.

The garden is divided into three parts - the Eastern Garden, the Western Garden and the Central Garden - with different characteristics. Beautiful pavilions, crystal-clear pools, elegant corridors and bridges form wonderful and harmonious scenery in the garden.

The houses in the residential area are of the typical Suzhou style and now used as exhibition rooms. The middle section is the gem of the whole garden. Of its area one-third is covered by water. Around the lake are trees and buildings.