Baitang Ecological Botanical Garden

Baitang Ecological Botanical Garden

Baitang Botanical Park is one of the facilities designed to enhance comprehensive urban functions and fully meet the concentrated leisure, vacation, entertainment, and cultural needs of residents in the second and third phases of development on the east bank of Jinji Lake in the Suzhou Industrial Park, as well as those of the general public in Suzhou. It is situated on the north side of the central section of Modern Avenue, the most modern landscape boulevard in the Suzhou Industrial Park, and forms a strategic complement with the nearby “Jinji Lake” and “Sha Lake,” both of which enhance each other’s appeal. The park is encircled by municipal roads, offering convenient and fast access.

The total area of Baitang Botanical Park is approximately 60.5 hectares. Of this, the land area covers 47.3 hectares (with 37 hectares of green space), and the water area spans 13.2 hectares. The concept and preliminary design were completed by the Dutch NITA Landscape Architecture and Planning Bureau. The aim was to create a natural environment through artificial means, forming a diverse ecological setting that includes lakes, valleys, streams, wetlands, woodlands, slopes, and forests—highlighting an urban oasis and embodying the design philosophy that bridges the “urban” and the “wild.”

The entire park is divided from west to east into four main zones: a regular, north-south block-style artificial planting exhibition area; an island ecological nature zone; a lake area; and a mountainous natural ecological forest. Along the east-west main sightseeing route that traverses these four blocks, artificially designed elements such as a premium flower garden and a five-senses garden are arranged, creating a sequence of lines and points that contrast with the more naturalistic background.

The entire park can be roughly divided into three major land areas: west, middle, and east, with the terrain gradually rising from west to east.

West Zone: The terrain here is relatively flat and features the “West Main Entrance of the Park,” the “Comprehensive Service Building (Music Mist Plaza),” another “Comprehensive Service Building,” the “Boat Rental Office,” as well as the starting and ending stations for sightseeing vehicles. These serve as key gathering and dispersal points where park visitors are relatively concentrated.

Middle Zone: This area is bordered by the “Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter” themed sections and the Central Lake. The terrain is higher and more undulating compared to the “West Zone.” This design serves both to partially shield the view of entering visitors and to reflect the characteristics of the seasons and suitable plant growth. The “Boat and Vehicle Repair Facility” is located on “Spring Island,” while the “VIP Reception Room” is situated on “Autumn Island.”

East Zone: This has the highest terrain. A man-made hill was constructed using machinery, with the main peak reaching 14.8 meters and the secondary peak 11 meters in height. The area includes a “Comprehensive Service Building,” another “Comprehensive Service Building,” and a “Mountain Top Tea House.” To evoke the untamed charm of suburban and wild mountain forests, two “artificial streams” were built on the hill—one a “water stream” and the other a “dry stream.” Additionally, three children's playgrounds of varying sizes have been placed at suitable locations on the hill.