苏州古典园林的历史可上溯至公元前6世纪春秋时吴王的园囿，私家园林最早见于记载的是东晋(4世纪)的辟疆园,历代造园兴盛，名园日多.明清时期,苏州成为中国最繁华的地区，私家园林遍布古城内外.16--18世纪全盛时期,苏州有园林200余处，现在保存尚好的有数十处,并因此使苏州素有"人间天堂"的美誉。
Classical gardens of Suzhou can be traced back to the 6th century BC when the king's garden of spring, first seen in private gardens is recorded in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (4th century) the Pijiang Park, ancient garden flourished, many famous gardens on the Ming and Qing period, Suzhou, China's most prosperous areas, private gardens throughout the city inside and outside the .16 - 18th century heyday, Suzhou gardens are more than 200, and now there are dozens of preservation is still good and, therefore, Suzhou, known as "paradise" in the world. 苏州古典园林宅园合一，可赏，可游，可居，这种建筑形态的形成，是在人口密集和缺乏自然风光的城市中，人类依恋自然，追求与自然和谐相处，美化和完善自身居住环境的一种创造。
Classical Gardens of Suzhou gardens one can enjoy, can travel, and livable, the formation of this architectural form, in densely populated cities and the lack of natural scenery, human attachment to nature, the pursuit of harmony with nature, beautify and improve their own create a living environment.