Tuisi Garden is the garden that seems to hover on water. It stands in Tongli, the canal town about eighteen kilometres from Suzhou, and it is part of the group of Suzhou classical gardens inscribed by UNESCO. Its name means retreat and reflection, and it comes from a nineteenth-century civil servant who built the garden after being dismissed from his post, as a place to withdraw and think. Where most Suzhou gardens set their buildings around a pond, Tuisi turns the idea around: the halls, pavilions and corridors are built very low, so close to the water that they appear to sit on the surface, and from the entrance the garden looks as if it is floating. The layout is compact, with a house section, a central courtyard and a pond garden, and the whole garden covers well under a hectare. Despite the small size, the design uses covered corridors, a zigzag bridge, rockery, a pavilion and a studio hall to build a strong sense of depth, and the result is among the most admired of the later Qing dynasty gardens. It is much quieter than the big gardens in the city, and many visitors find that a calm half hour here is the highlight of a day in Tongli.
How to see it
The garden is entered in a sequence, beginning with the residential halls, where the family lived and received guests, then moving into the garden proper. Take your time in the central pond area, because the garden is designed to be seen from several fixed points, with each framing a different composition of water, stone and roofline.
Stand at the water’s edge and look back at the buildings, whose low eaves almost touch the surface, and note how the reflections complete the scene. Lattice windows, carved screens and small courtyards carry the eye from one view to the next.
Visiting with Tongli
The garden is within the old town and is normally included in the Tongli entry ticket, so you do not need to buy a separate pass. A good plan is to walk the canals first and visit the garden in the middle of the day, when the light on the water is strong, or to come at the end of the day when the tour groups have left. The garden takes about an hour at a relaxed pace.
Who built it and when
The garden was laid out in the late nineteenth century by a retired civil servant, and its design is credited with using the water-town setting in an unusually inventive way. It is a later garden than the famous Ming examples in the city, and it shows how the tradition was still being developed and refined in its final phase.
Tours
A private customised tour that visits Tongli and the Tuisi Garden is available from local operators and offers a straightforward way to combine the garden with the water town in a single day, including the transport. Compare what is included, such as tickets and lunch, and ask whether the itinerary can be adjusted.
Is it worth it
Yes, if you enjoy gardens, and especially if you already have Tongli in your plans. It is a short stop that adds real depth to a visit and complements the larger gardens in the city. If you have already seen two or three gardens in Suzhou, it is also a fresh variation on the theme, with its water-level design.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through a small garden of low halls and corridors built right at the water’s edge.
Best time
Midday for the light on the water, or the end of the day when the tour groups have left.
How long
About an hour at a relaxed pace.
Tips
Check that it is covered by your Tongli ticket, stand at the water’s edge to see the low eaves and take time at the central pond.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Garden lovers who have seen the big city gardens and want something different.
- Families
- Small and easy, with a pond and bridges, though children may tire of it quickly.
- Couples
- A quiet half hour at the pond, then a canal-side tea in Tongli.
- Pair with
- Tongli’s canals and bridges, and a boat ride.
- Time needed
- About an hour.
Good questions
What does Tuisi mean?+
It means retreat and reflection, and refers to the civil servant who built the garden after leaving his post.
Where is Tuisi Garden?+
It is in the old town of Tongli, about eighteen kilometres from Suzhou.
Is it part of the UNESCO inscription?+
Yes, it belongs to the group of Suzhou classical gardens inscribed by UNESCO.
Is it included in the Tongli ticket?+
The Tongli entry ticket normally covers several sights, including the garden. Confirm at the gate.
What makes it different from the city gardens?+
The buildings sit very low, almost at water level, so the garden appears to float. It is also smaller and much quieter.
