May 04·5 min· PV

Humble Administrator's Garden

Thus I observe the measure of contentment, forsaking ambitions like drifting clouds, building a house and planting trees, free and self-possessed. The ponds suffice for fishing, the harvested grain for farming. Watering the garden and selling vegetables provides for daily meals; tending sheep and brewing cheese awaits the seasons' needs. Filial in devotion, brotherly in bonds — this too is the governance of the unskilled.

Essay·苏州·园林

On May 5th, I set out from Xiangcheng District to the Humble Administrator’s Garden. Took Metro Line 2, transferred to Line 6 at Pinghe Road Station, then two more stops and I was there.

On Line 2, I noticed a station name that sounded rather poetic — “Lumu Station”^[1]. The original name was “Lumu” (陆墓, “Lu’s Tomb”), said to be where the cenotaph of the Tang dynasty chancellor Lu Zhi^[2] is located^[3].

I went in the afternoon (still crowded, despite the rain and cooler weather). Booked three days in advance, tickets are 80 RMB, half price for students. You can scan your face or ID card — no need to fumble with a QR code at the gate, which is slightly more convenient than Tiger Hill. The Suzhou Museum is right next door.

The reservation time slot isn’t strictly enforced — I booked 4:30–5:30 PM but got in at 3 PM without any issues.

Like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden, I snapped away — only to realize I’d forgotten to turn off Live Photos 😭. Each one easily 10MB+. I’ll process them later when I have time.

Jianshan Pavilion (Seeing Mountains Hall)

Note

采菊东篱下，悠然见南山。

Plucking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence, leisurely I gaze at the southern hills. — Tao Yuanming

小径四时花，随分逍遥，真闲却，香车风马。
一池千古月，称情欢笑，好商量，酒政茶经。
Flowers bloom all four seasons along the path, freely wandering, truly at leisure, with fragrant carriages and swift horses. One pool holds a thousand years of moonlight, hearty laughter, well-matched, fine rules for wine and tea.