The Lion Grove Garden is a garden located at 23 Yuanlin Road inDistrict, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. The garden is famous for the large and labyrinthine grotto ofrocks at its center. The name of the garden is derived from the shape of these rocks, which are said to resemble lions. The garden is recognized with other classical gardens in Suzhou as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

　　Built in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) by Monk Tianru and a group of Buddhists of the Zen Sect, in the memory of High Monk Zhongfeng, Lion Grove Gardenhands and renamed several times. It was first given the name of Lion Grove, as the grotesque rocks of its man-made hill resembled lions. Later, in 1342, its name was changed toTemple. Lion Grove Garden was a popular center for Buddhist, as well as literary activities. Many scholars created their paintings or lines after being inspired by the garden.

Covering an area of roughly 1,000 square meters, Lion Grove Garden is certainly famous for its unique Tai Hu stone formations, or rockeries in addition to the ancient lion creations. These odd rocks, some boulder-sized, have all been collected from the bottom of Lake Tai, then stacked atop one another to create a maze of nooks, crannies, caverns, and peaks which, from a distance, give the illusion of miniature mountains. Specially shaped Tai Hu rocks are given prominent placing, such as those that resemble lions. It is the rockeries that define this garden, and therefore it is no wonder that it is also called the Rockery Kingdom.

　　Lion Grove Garden also houses many rare and precious plaques, steles, and paintings, including the paintings “Panoramic View” by Ni Yunlin and “Twelve Scenic Spots in Lion Grove Garden” by Xu Ben, both renowned artists from the Ming Dynasty period. More than 60 rare rubbings of inscriptions of the works of famous calligraphers from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) such as Sushi, Huang Tingjian, Mifu, and Cai Xiangare, can be found on the walls of the passageways of Lion Grove Garden.