Humble Administrator's Garden
Humble Administrator's Garden
4.5
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,337 reviews
Excellent
1,137
Very good
850
Average
284
Poor
49
Terrible
17
Jim
865 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
Among Suzhou’s Ancient Mansions, the Humble Administrator's Garden is the largest and the most famous, it may also attract the most crowd. The Humble Administrator's Garden is next to the Suzhou Museum (free, but you need to reserve at least one week earlier) and the Lion Forest Garden (also needs reservation). We have visited this garden during the Spring Festival of 2024. You will need to secure a reservation several days in advance. You can’t just show up at the garden, as you will be turned away without the reservation. It may take you about 0.5 hour to go through the queues to enter the garden, and once inside the garden, there is a huge crowd everywhere. The Garden adds mist (by dried ice?), which adds a bit to the appeal, otherwise, it is rather similar to the other ancient garden in Suzhou.
Written February 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MattwalesNorthWales
Chengdu, China2,424 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
This is one of the four most important gardens in China. Perfectly preserved and well
maintained. Shows off the ancient Chinese fixation with stone formations and meaning. Great use of water with crisscrossing pathways shaded vantage points and focus on colour. Lovely collection of mature bonsais and plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind in a tranquil space despite the number of people. A highly recommended way to spend a couple of hours.
maintained. Shows off the ancient Chinese fixation with stone formations and meaning. Great use of water with crisscrossing pathways shaded vantage points and focus on colour. Lovely collection of mature bonsais and plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind in a tranquil space despite the number of people. A highly recommended way to spend a couple of hours.
Written April 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roddy P
Johannesburg, South Africa926 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Something very special - a 500 year old garden that has been perfected by multiple owners over the years. Very popular with local people, especially after the end of the lockdowns .. so be prepared for lots of people.
I love the dress up and take photo culture of modern China - all these people in rented traditional dress posing at the spots... of course all of our ancestors would have been covered in rags and worked to death 500 years ago and no one would have been allowed in but the extreme elite ... but while spoil a good photo.
As a foreigner you will need you passport and its RMB 60 to get in - well worth it
I love the dress up and take photo culture of modern China - all these people in rented traditional dress posing at the spots... of course all of our ancestors would have been covered in rags and worked to death 500 years ago and no one would have been allowed in but the extreme elite ... but while spoil a good photo.
As a foreigner you will need you passport and its RMB 60 to get in - well worth it
Written April 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lillia
United States3 contributions
Sep 2021
The Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest and most famous classic garden in Suzhou. Its exquisite beauty, artistic value, and historic significance established the garden, as one of China’s four most famous gardens. It was also listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by the United Nations Educational，Scientific，and Cultural Organization in 1997. Covering an area of 52,000 square meters, the Humble Administrator’s Garden began to built in 1509 AD during the Ming Dynasty and was finished after 16 years of elaborate work.
Written September 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swissfarmboy
Manila, Philippines40 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
The garden is forgettable and appraaches torture when you share it with a crowd befitting the Olymics closing ceremony. There is no serenity nor contemplation there. Some renovation/"beautification" works seem to be done without any love. Suzhou has plenty of parks and they all seem to show more care than this UNESCO WH site garden.
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
I made a visit on a very overcrowded weekday in August. The gardens and buildings seem tired, and overall, you are left with the feeling that the gardens have seen better days. Recommend you go to Hanshan Temple instead. There were less crowds and there is recent restoration of the buildings. You are much more likely to find "inner peace" there.
Written August 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joanne H
London, UK955 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
This was by far the busiest garden I visited in Suzhou - it gets the visitors because it's big, and it's lovely, but it loses a star for me because of the crowds. I was queuing my way around a lot of it and it just wasn't fun. I got there about 10am on a weekday, so it wasn't even that late. Bear in mind that it will be busy.
Foreigners need to go beyond the entrance to the service centre to get a ticket.
Foreigners need to go beyond the entrance to the service centre to get a ticket.
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrbrentharris
Hanoi, Vietnam427 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
This was my 4th garden I've been to in China. By far the largest one I've been to. I came here on a Saturday- bad idea. And it was holiday weekend, even worse idea. The rain did not stop the crowds from pouring in to this place which unfortunately became a distraction. It was a very nice and spread out.
I recommend coming, just not on a holiday weekend.
I recommend coming, just not on a holiday weekend.
Written July 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
King L
Nottingham, UK341 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Not sure how this is ranked only a mere #11, when almost all locals will tell you that it is the first park you ought to visit in Suzhou, along with the Tiger Hill (which is relatively outskirts from the main tourism area).
There is English audio guide available to rent from, but I kind of have to ask a few times before they bring me there (I can speak a bit of Chinese). The area is picturesque with traditional garden, pagoda, and ancient architectural designs. If you aren’t a fan of these, then perhaps it isn’t for you.
There is English audio guide available to rent from, but I kind of have to ask a few times before they bring me there (I can speak a bit of Chinese). The area is picturesque with traditional garden, pagoda, and ancient architectural designs. If you aren’t a fan of these, then perhaps it isn’t for you.
Written June 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelling321
Ningbo, Zhejiang65 contributions
May 2021 • Family
This was by far my favourite garden in Suzhou. We went in the morning (9am) before the garden began to fill up. I loved how it was divided into "sections" we could explore. It's near other places we visited such as the Suzhou Museum and Museum of Folk Customs, so it's a great area to spend the day. Highly recommended.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How do we book tickets online? What is the website?
Written July 17, 2019
I did not buy entrance ticket from website, it is not crowded , you can always get it from their entrance, depending on which way you come from because there are 2 entrances.
Written July 19, 2019
Hi, what would you like to know about this attraction?
Hello, could we buy the tickets as foreign tourists at the parkentrance the same day as well? As I read in the Internet that for foreign Visitors advanced online booking is necessary but can't find an oficial Website in English
Written July 1, 2019
** I bought my ticket last minute.** I did not know I was going there until I saw the place and said Why Not. Tickets are easy to purchase next to the garden.
Written October 14, 2019
Hi, how to reserve in advance for foreign tourist?
Written May 24, 2019
Dear Sir, you don't have to request a reservation. They have general garden hours to serve you usually most days of the week. Hope this helps!
Thanks again for your question,
Sincerely,
Kevin Schooling
Written June 19, 2019
Hi, I will like to know how much time is needed to visit this garden in early Dec?
Written November 5, 2017
I have essentially two days in Suzhou. I am planning to go to Tongli first thing in the morning on day one. After we get back to Suzhou around 1pm, what are the MUST SEE gardens? We have already seen Summer Place and empress's garden in FC and will visit Yu Gardens in Shanghai next week. Which one, two or even three gardens should I visit (note - I will be dragging my husband who hates gardens!). Is Humble the one garden to visit in Suzhou?
Having traveled all over the world and climbed all the sacred mountains in China, is it worthwhile to go to Tiger Hill? After Tongli, should we still walk along the canal on Pingjiang Street? Finally, how impressive is the PANMEN Gate and scenic area?
Thanks for all and any help!
Written October 29, 2016
If your husband doesnt like the gardens much, and if you must visit one garden, I would definitely recommend the Couple's retreat garden. Basically we stumbled upon this "gem" when we went on hunt for a zoo for my kid. Once you enter the couple's retreat garden complex, dont take right, this is where the normal tour bus takes. You can take left and you will see beautiful lake. Walk further and you will see some fishing area, boating area, the entire area seems so beautiful and Europeanish, reminded of one the lakes I visited in Germany. With almost nobody around, we had the garden to ourselves, pretty much. We just loved this place, luckily this hasn't been so touristy or might be we were lucky that day. If you walk on the other side you will reach the Ou Yuan garden, along a beautiful lake and then it goes to the touristic Couples retreat garden. And hey, this was FREE. I highly recommend this if you want to avoid too much people.
However, if you are ok having lots of people around you, you can visit the humble administrator garden, its quite beautiful, but too expensive and crowded.
Have a good trip to Suzhou!
Written October 31, 2016
I have essentially two days in Suzhou. I am planning to go to Tongli first thing in the morning on day one. After we get back to Suzhou around 1pm, what are the MUST SEE gardens? We have already seen Summer Place and empress's garden in FC and will visit Yu Gardens in Shanghai next week. Which one, two or even three gardens should I visit (note - I will be dragging my husband who hates gardens!). Is Humble the one garden to visit in Suzhou?
Having traveled all over the world and climbed all the sacred mountains in China, is it worthwhile to go to Tiger Hill? After Tongli, should we still walk along the canal on Pingjiang Street? Finally, how impressive is the PANMEN Gate and scenic area?
Thanks for all and any help!
Written October 29, 2016
Hi Laura, there are many gardens to see, i liked this garden because you could also see the hose & how they lived & there wer lovely bonsaii's but even the public gardens were beautiful
Written November 1, 2016
Hi, does the unit has washing machine? Also, any free shuttle to popular places?
Written October 6, 2016
This question is posted in the wrong place. This is a traditional Chinese garden and a UNESCO site. There is no "unit" and certainly no washing machine. :-)
Written October 6, 2016
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