After visiting the Lion Grove Garden four times, I finally figured it out!

📍Address Lion Grove Garden No. 23, Yuanlin Road, Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. 🚇Transportation - Metro: Exit from Exit 4 of Beisita Station on Line 4, walk about 1.5 km. - Bus: Take Tourist Bus 1, 2, or Bus 313 to the "Lion Grove" stop, and you'll arrive right there. - Driving: The scenic area parking lot (No. 23 Yuanlin Road) charges 10 yuan per visit. During peak seasons, parking spaces are limited, so arriving early is recommended. 🏯Introduction Lion Grove Garden is one of the "Four Great Gardens of Suzhou" (alongside the Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, and Canglang Pavilion). It is a representative example of Yuan Dynasty Zen temple gardens, renowned as the "Kingdom of Rockeries." The rockeries in the garden are built from Taihu Lake stones, divided into three levels—upper, middle, and lower—featuring 9 maze paths and 21 cave openings. Emperor Qianlong once got lost here for two hours and inscribed a plaque "True Delight" as a memento. Key highlights: 1. Zen Anecdotes: Named in honor of the monk Zhongfeng (who practiced at Lion Rock on Tianmu Mountain), the garden's Zhi Bai Xuan and Wen Mei Pavilion embody Zen parables. 2. Cultural Relics: The long corridor is embedded with steles by the "Four Masters of the Song Dynasty," including Su Shi and Mi Fu, as well as Wen Tianxiang's "Plum Blossom Poem" stele. 3. Architectural Beauty: The stained-glass windows are hailed as the finest in Suzhou gardens, while the Mandarin Duck Hall (Yan Yu Tang) and the Stone Boat blend Chinese and Western styles. 🗺️Travel Tips 🔥Essential Route (2-3 hours) Yan Yu Tang (main hall with wood carvings) → Nine Lion Peak (pinnacle of Taihu Lake stones) → Yi Feng Zhi Bai Xuan (ancient cypress with Zen meaning) → Rockery Maze (explore caves and paths) → True Delight Pavilion (Emperor Qianlong's plaque) → Lake Center Pavilion (water scenery photography) → Wen Mei Pavilion (plum blossom lattice windows) → Wen Tianxiang Stele Pavilion. 📸Must-Do Experiences - Lion Hunt in the Rockeries: Count the stone lions (legend says Emperor Qianlong claimed there were 500) and find the zodiac-shaped rocks. - Light and Shadow Photography: Reflections at Lake Center Pavilion, the golden roof of True Delight Pavilion, and the crevice light in the rockery maze. - Night Tour Bonus: The garden occasionally opens for night tours during holidays, with lights transforming the rockeries into a dreamlike scene. ⏰Travel Advice 1. Timing: - Peak season (April-October): Opens at 7:30 AM; arrive early to avoid crowds. Off-season tickets are 30 yuan. - A thorough visit takes 3-4 hours; allocate 1 hour for rockery exploration. 2. Gear: - Wear non-slip sports shoes (for safe rockery climbing). - Bring a sun hat and mosquito repellent in summer (shady areas attract mosquitoes). 3. Family Tip: The rockery maze is easy to get lost in—keep children close. 🍽️Food Recommendations - Suzhou Cuisine: Songhelou (Guanqian Street branch) serves sweet and sour crispy squirrel-shaped mandarin fish. - Snacks: - Yaba Shengjian (Lindun Road branch): Crab roe soup dumplings with thin skins and rich broth. - Huang Tian Yuan (Yuanlin Road): Suzhou-style pastries like plum blossom cakes and Ding Sheng cakes. 🏨Accommodation Recommendations - Garden-Style: The Scholar Suzhou (Pingjiangfu), a 5-minute walk away, offers complimentary Pingtan performances. - Republic-Era Mansion: Wenhua Huajiantang Tanhua Mansion (renovated from the Bei family ancestral home), perfect for photography. 🚶♂️Nearby Attractions - Humble Administrator's Garden (5-minute walk): Suzhou's largest classical garden, ideal for combined visits. - Suzhou Museum (adjacent): Designed by I.M. Pei, blending modern architecture with Wu culture. - Pingjiang Road Historic District (1 km): Canals, teahouses, and Suzhou embroidery—experience the slow life of Jiangnan. 💡 Four-Visit Insight: Lion Grove Garden is best savored slowly! Join the free morning guided tour (8:30 AM) for Zen stories, read the steles in the afternoon, and enjoy the rockery's light and shadow in the evening when the crowd thins—only then will you understand Emperor Qianlong's obsession with visiting six times.