Wu Yun’s Former Residence Garden

Wu Yun’s Former Residence Garden

Wu Yun’s Former Residence Garden is a protected cultural heritage site under Jiangsu Province.

Wu Yun’s Former Residence Garden is situated between Jintai History Lane and Qingyuan Lane in Suzhou. It was the former home of Wu Yun from Huzhou, who served as an acting provincial judge and acting prefect of Suzhou during the Qing Dynasty. The garden faces south and is divided into eastern and western parts (West Residence and East Residence), standing side by side with individual gates. The West Residence currently retains one route with three courtyards: the entrance hall, sedan hall, and main hall. The southern section of the East Residence has been altered, while the northern section, known as the Listening to Maple Garden, remains intact. The Listening to Maple Garden within Wu Yun’s Former Residence Garden faces south and covers a total floor area of 1,082 square meters. The garden centers around the Listening to Maple Immortal Hall, with Two? Pavilion to the west and the Flavor Dwelling connected in the middle. In front of the Flavor Dwelling stands the Red Leaf Pavilion (currently known as the Frost-Awaiting Pavilion), which is linked via a winding corridor that extends southwest to the Contentment Pavilion. To the southeast lies an artificial hill, which can be climbed via steps to reach the Ink Fragrance Pavilion. The upper level is situated atop the hill, while the lower level is embedded within it — a uniquely ingenious design. North of the pavilion lies the Plain Studio, forming its own enclosed courtyard. In the northern part of the Listening to Maple Immortal Hall garden is a small pond with clear, deep water, surrounded by corridors, waterside pavilions, and half pavilions, adorned with flowers, plants, and rocks. In the northwest corner stands a three-room building with two side wings. In 1982, the Listening to Maple Garden was designated as a Suzhou Municipal Cultural Heritage Site, and in 2006, it was listed as a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Site.

Historical Background:

During the Tongzhi and Guangxu reigns of the Qing Dynasty, Wu Yun, a native of Huzhou who once served as acting prefect of Suzhou, built this residence garden here and named it “Listening to Maple Garden.”

After Wu Yun’s death in 1883 (the ninth year of the Guangxu reign), the garden gradually fell into decline.

In 1910 (the second year of the Xuantong reign), the poet Zhu Zumou once resided in this garden.

In 1928, the garden came under the ownership of the Chen family and underwent some renovations.

After the liberation in 1949, it was successively used by the Teachers’ Further Education School, the Second Middle School, the Pingtan Research Office, and the Pingtan Troupe.

In 1983, the units and residents in the garden were relocated, and the city’s Bureau of Culture began renovation work, investing 148,000 yuan. The project was completed by the end of 1984.

In the spring of 1985, the garden came under the protection and management of the Suzhou Academy of Traditional Chinese Painting. The western residence remained within the original educational district of the former Suzhou No. 2 Middle School.

In August 2003, Suzhou No. 2 Middle School (later renamed No. 2 Senior High School) was merged into Suzhou No. 1 Middle School.

In 2004, Suzhou No. 1 Middle School funded a comprehensive renovation of the three courtyards of the western residence, completing the project in September. The western residence is now under the protection and management of Suzhou No. 1 Middle School.

In 2006, Wu Yun’s Former Residence Garden was announced as part of the sixth batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites by the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government.

Current Condition:

The Listening to Maple Garden covers an area of about 7 mu, including a 1.7-mu inner garden. The garden contains ancient maple trees, hence its name, also known as the Listening to Maple Immortal Hall. The garden features winding paths and is divided into five courtyards of varying sizes. The main hall, the Listening to Maple Immortal Hall, is centrally located, with one courtyard to its north and one to its south. The southern courtyard is lush with plants and flowers, and an artificial hill is piled up in the southeast corner. Structures such as Two? Pavilion, the Flavor Dwelling, the Red Leaf Pavilion, and the Contentment Pavilion are interconnected along the corridors.

To the north of the Listening to Maple Immortal Hall lies an inner pond formed by an artificial hill. To the north of the pond is a waterside pavilion, and to the west is a half pavilion by the water, connected to the corridor. Below it is a masonry seat with brickwork railings. At the southern end of the corridor is a round brick gate, which leads to the tallest structure in the garden — the Tower Hall. The Tower Hall has three stories and three bays, with east and west wing rooms at the front. In front of the Tower Hall is a finely carved brick gate tower inscribed with the words “Listening to Maple and Studying,” showcasing exquisite brick carving craftsmanship. To the east of the hall lies the Plain Studio, formerly Wu Yun’s study room. In front of it is a stacked rockery made of lake stones. A stepped path leads up to the Ink Fragrance Pavilion, with its lower level hidden within the hill and the upper level jutting out from the hilltop. It is separated from other courtyards by flower walls, forming an independent compound with the studio. It has now been integrated with the southern courtyard.

Related Historical Figures and Events:

Wu Yun (1811–1883), a native of Huzhou, Zhejiang, was a scholar known by the courtesy name Shaofu and the pseudonyms Ping Studio, Yuting, and Tuilou, from Guian. During the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, he was appointed as a provincial judge and dispatched to Jiangsu. He held several official positions related to civil administration, earning a good reputation, and eventually rose to the rank of acting provincial judge and acting prefect of Zhenjiang and Suzhou. After leaving office, he settled in the central Suzhou area. After the Taiping Rebellion, he advised the authorities and successfully petitioned for the exemption of hundreds of thousands of dan of taxes in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and initiated major water conservancy projects in the Taihu Lake basin of the two provinces. He was well-versed in epigraphy research, skilled in calligraphy, painting, and seal carving, and had an extensive collection. His residence featured historical texts and artworks, with ancient bronzes and stone drums displayed prominently. Among his most treasured collections were two rare artifacts from the Marquis of Qi and 200 versions of Wang Xizhi’s “Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion.” He authored works such as “The Epigraphic Studies of Two? Pavilion,” “The Collected Inscriptions of the Twenty-One Histories,” “The Catalog of Ancient Seals,” “The Album of Antiquities,” “The Album of Calligraphy,” “The Illustrated Handbook of Bronzes,” and “Letters from Two? Pavilion.” His book “The Epigraphic Studies of Two? Pavilion” is particularly notable for its detailed categorization and insightful commentary.

On June 5, 2006, Wu Yun’s Former Residence Garden was announced as part of the sixth batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites