Tingfeng Garden

Tingfeng Garden

Tingfeng Garden is a Suzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Tingfeng Garden is located on Qingyuan Lane and was designated as a Suzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1982.

During the Tongzhi and Guangxu eras of the Qing Dynasty, it was the residence of Hu Zhou-native Yu Yun, who served as the magistrate of Suzhou. The garden was named “Tingfeng Garden” (Garden of Listening to Maple Trees) because of the ancient maple trees swaying within its grounds. Wu Bai remarked: “The residence is not large, but it boasts a modest charm of flowers and trees.” Among small-sized classical gardens, this one stands out for its exquisite and delicate design. Yu Yue once compared the “refinement” of Tingfeng Garden with the “modesty” of his own Qu Garden. Wu Yun was skilled in calligraphy and had a passion for collecting and appreciating ancient bronzes and stones. The garden was filled with books and historical artifacts on the left and right, with bronze ware neatly displayed. The painter Wu Changshuo was closely associated with the owner in his early years and was invited to live in the garden to teach children. This allowed him to study the collected paintings, calligraphy, and bronzes, greatly advancing his artistic skills. After Wu Yun passed away in 1883 (the 19th year of the Guangxu reign), the garden gradually fell into decline. In 1910 (the 2nd year of the Xuantong reign), the poet Zhu Zumou once resided here. In 1928, the garden was acquired by the Chen family and underwent some restoration. After the liberation in 1949, it was successively used as a teachers’ training school, the Second Middle School, a Pingtan (storytelling and ballad singing) research office, and a Pingtan troupe. After 1966, the rockery was demolished, the buildings fell into disrepair, and the plants withered. In 1979, over ten households of Pingtan actors who had returned to the city after being relocated were temporarily housed here. In 1983, the units and residents in the garden were relocated, and the municipal cultural bureau began renovations, which cost 148,000 yuan and were completed by the end of 1984. In the spring of 1985, the National Painting Academy moved in.

Tingfeng Garden is located in the northeastern part of the residence and covers an area of 1,200 square meters. The main hall, “Fengxian Hall” (now renamed “Tingfeng Mountain Hall”), is situated at the center of the garden, with a courtyard to the north and another to the south. The southern courtyard is lush with flowers and trees and features a variety of intriguing rocks. Major structures include the Liangxuan Pavilion (named so because Wu Yun once stored two Qi Hou vessels there), Weidao Residence, Hongye Pavilion (now called Daisuang Pavilion), and Shiran Pavilion. The northern courtyard has a clear pool with a half-pavilion by the water, reflected beautifully by surrounding plants. To the east of the hall is Wu Yun’s study, “Pingzhai.” In front of it is a stacked rockery, and along the stepping path up the hill sits the “Moxiang Pavilion,” whose lower level is hidden within the hill while the upper level juts out prominently from the summit. The study and pavilion form their own courtyard and represent the most refined part of the garden.