Suzhou gardens are the most outstanding representatives of classical Chinese gardens.
Most of them were privately-owned. The gardens first appeared in the Spring and Autumn
Period, developed in the Song and Yuan dynasties, and flourished in the Ming and Qing
dynasties. By the late Qing Dynasty, Suzhou had got as many as over 170 gardens of
diverse styles, winning it the name "The City of Gardens". Now, over 60 are kept in good
condition, of which more than 10 are open to the public. The Surging Wave Pavilion, the
Lion Grave Garden, the Humble Administrator's Garden are called four most famous gardens
in Suzhou, representing the artiest styles of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties
respectively. Suzhou gardens are assemblies of the residences and gardens, which makes
them a suitable places for living, visiting and appreciating. The architectural principles
of the gardens are demonstration of the lifestyles and social customs of ancient Chinese
people in the south of the Lower Yangtze River. Suzhou gardens are not only a product of
the Chinese history culture, but also a carrier of the traditional Chinese ideology and
culture. In 1997, Suzhou gardens were inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNOSCO