Suzhou – Gardens of Myth and Wonder

Suzhou, renowned for its classical gardens, is a perfect destination to immerse children in a world of beauty, tranquility, and tradition. Suzhou’s famous gardens—like the Lingering Garden and the Humble Administrator’s Garden—are masterpieces of Chinese landscape design, where architecture, water, and nature are blended into harmonious spaces that have inspired myths and stories for generations. This blog post introduces families to books, discussion questions, and an interactive activity for a magical experience exploring these gardens.

Book Recommendations

1. “The Secret Garden of Suzhou” by Lin Mei
   Ages: 6-10
   This picture book introduces children to the elegance and charm of Suzhou’s gardens, through a story of two siblings who explore a hidden garden with mythical creatures and whispering trees. It’s a great way to capture the magical atmosphere of Suzhou’s landscapes.
2. “Peach Blossom Garden: A Story of Ancient China” by Chen Liu
   Ages: 8+
   This beautifully illustrated book takes children on a journey to an ancient garden inspired by Suzhou’s classical style. The story brings to life traditional Chinese myths about peace, beauty, and wonder, with detailed images of garden landscapes.
3. “My Day in Suzhou Gardens” by Li Wang
   Ages: 4-8
   Designed as a playful introduction to Suzhou’s gardens, this book follows a young child’s day visiting Suzhou’s iconic spots. Through storytelling and interactive elements, it helps young readers appreciate the balance of nature, water, and architecture that make these gardens special.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think gardens like those in Suzhou are so carefully designed with specific plants, ponds, and buildings?
   • This question encourages children to think about the importance of harmony and design in traditional Chinese gardens.
2. If you could add a mythical creature or feature to a garden, what would it be and why?
   • Encourage creativity by letting children imagine how they might add to the mystical elements of Suzhou’s gardens.
3. What kinds of sounds do you think you would hear in a Suzhou garden, and why are those sounds important?
   • This helps children reflect on the sensory experience of a garden and how nature contributes to peace and relaxation.

Interactive Activity: Create Your Own Mini Suzhou-Inspired Garden

This activity allows families to design a mini-garden inspired by Suzhou’s classical style. You can use a small tray or even a shoebox to create a garden together, bringing Suzhou’s harmony and elegance into your own home.

Instructions

1. Materials Needed: A small tray, sand or small pebbles, a few plants (real or artificial), small stones, water (optional for outdoor play), craft sticks, and paper.
2. Arrange the Garden: Start by laying a foundation with sand or pebbles in the tray. Arrange the small stones to create pathways and add small plants for greenery.
3. Add Water Features: If the garden is for outdoor use, add a small dish of water to represent a pond. For indoor settings, you can use blue paper or create a “pond” from small stones.
4. Decorate with Mini Structures: Use craft sticks or folded paper to create miniature pagodas or pavilions inspired by Suzhou’s architecture.
5. Appreciate Together: Discuss how Suzhou’s gardens balance different elements and take turns explaining the choices each family member made in their miniature garden.

This hands-on activity provides a wonderful way for children to understand the balance of natural elements in Suzhou’s gardens and lets families create their own little piece of China’s heritage right at home.