The 16th to 18th centuries（witness）the peak time of Suzhou classical gardens, following the rise of the city as economic center, playing host to around 250 gardens. Some were inevitably lost to time, but some of the more recent kept blossoming. A survey from 2015 to 2018 showed that the city is home to 108 classical gardens, 57 of are in the historical neighborhood of Gusu district.
"Suzhou gardens reveal people's adoration of nature by mixing elements of different natural landscapes their designs," says He Fengchun, director of the Suzhou Institute of Landscape Architecture Design. "They inspire us（pursue）harmony with the world around us." "Visiting a garden is like unrolling a traditional Chinese landscape painting," she further explains. "So, like paintings, ancient Chinese philosophy and morals （hide）in the details of the gardens." In centuries past, Suzhou also （large）directed the development of ancient Chinese landscape gardens as a whole.
Zhu Haijun, director of Suzhou Conservation and Monitoring Center, considers education programs for the young generation as key to（pass）down the intangible heritage for the future. "The future destiny of the classical gardens is in their hands," he says. "We'd like to plant a seed in their hearts so that the gardens can continue to flourish through the（age）."
