The Couple Garden Retreat (Ou Yuan)

The original name was Sheyuan, also called Xiaoyu Lin. Construction started during the Qing dynasty's Yongqian period (1723-1795 A.D.) It was built by Lu Jin, the prefect of Baoning district. In the 13th year of the Tongzhi period (1874 A.D.) it was bought by Shen Bingcheng, the official of Susong. He expanded its area and divided it into a western and eastern part; he changed the name to the Couple's Garden Retreat. The meaning of its name refers to the garden's two parts as well as to that of a couple.

The Couple's Garden Retreat is located in Xiaoxin Qiaoxiang, Loumen Nei, in the north-eastern part of the city. It occupies 0.8 hectare. It has water on three sides, and is rectangular in shape. The classical gardens of Suzhou can be divided into a residential and a garden part. A residence in the middle, with garden on both sides, is special for this garden. One of the gardens makes use of yellow stones, and the other makes use of lake stones, with their own style.

The eastern part of the garden is the most splendid; the landscape's arrangement is based on yellow stone rockeries, with ponds, and flowers and trees added. In order to show high mountains and deep ponds, the buildings are pushed to brinks of the garden, since the garden's area only occupies 0.33 hectare. The rockeries are divided into primary and secondary ones; the primary are located in the east; on top is a stone house; the secondary are found in the west; on top is a platform. Between these two parts is a gorge called "Suigu"with a width of only 1 metre. Both sides are very steep, with the walls stretching down into the pond, adding both steepness and forcefulness. The combination of rockery and water is both soft and strong, expressing the the harmonious beauty of mother nature.