New discovery of CityWalk｜Gusu District hides a treasure trove of green forests

Tianxiang Villa is a classic garden villa among Suzhou's Republican-era architecture. Although its history is not long, it has its own unique architectural style and characteristics. It is based on the layout and structural form of Suzhou's traditional mansion gardens, absorbing the northern architectural style while integrating certain features of Western architecture. Its characteristics of combining Chinese and Western elements, and North and South elements, are mainly manifested in the following three aspects: First, in terms of the overall layout, the house is in the west and the garden is in the east. The house is mainly in Western style, while the garden and inner courtyard are in the style of Suzhou classical gardens. Second, as far as the residential part is concerned, the main body of the hall belongs to the Suzhou Xiangshan Gang architectural style, while the main body of the front hall and the back hall belongs to the Western architectural style. Third, as far as individual buildings are concerned, they blend the north and the south, and combine Chinese and Western styles, with Western elements being used in Chinese contexts. For example, the glazed tile roofs of the main hall, front hall and back hall clearly absorb northern architectural elements. The structure of the front hall does not use traditional wooden pillars but a brick-concrete structure to bear the weight. The floor tiles used in the corridors are also imported "Western goods". The walls reflect the Su style, with fine brick veneer, fine brick frame windows and moon-shaped doors. The architecture of the Republic of China, which draws on the strengths of Eastern and Western architectural styles and as well as Northern and Southern architectural styles, is so harmoniously integrated that it can be called a classic. 📍Location: The third floor of the lecture hall building next to the Children's Library of Suzhou Library and Tianxiang House 🕧Opening hours: 9:00-21:00 Closed on Mondays 🚉Transportation: Metro Line 4, Sanyuanfang Station, Exit 3, walk 150 meters