Lou Lim Iok Garden

The Lou Lim Iok Garden hasn’t always been a public park in Macau. From 1904-1925 this 4.4 acre garden was privately owned, slowly having been constructed by a wealthy local merchant before it was gradually sold off when his fortune eventually dwindled. For decades the manicured grounds and meandering waterways of Lou Lim Iok Garden changed hands with rapid succession before the Macau government finally acquired the garden in 1974.  Now it’s a pleasant retreat to escape the bustling city center and to immerse yourself in the tranquility of the perfectly placed pagodas and bamboo shrouded waterfalls.

When visiting Lou Lim Iok Garden it’s impossible to not immediately notice the care and exceptionally intricate design with which it was constructed. Lou Lim Iok is considered to be the only Suzhou garden in all of Macau. This style features a residential dwelling and a garden surrounding it, and when combined, the two create an atmosphere precise in its ability to calm and please those who visit. The main archeological feature of Lou Lim Iok Garden is the Qingcao Hall, a former residence which once housed such visiting dignitaries as Sun Yat-Sen. This is the great Chinese leader who famously paid a visit to Macau in 1915 to mingle with the peninsula’s social and political elite. Like many other historical buildings in Macau, Qingcao Hall delicately blends influences of both Portuguese and Chinese design to create a residence which stands in unique contrast to the Chinese-style landscaping of the peaceful gardens surrounding the beige colored walls.