Guo’s Villa (郭庄), located in Hangzhou, is one of the renowned classical gardens in Zhejiang Province. Covering an area of 9,788 square meters, it features a water surface that occupies 29.3% of its total area. Built in the 33rd year of the Guangxu reign (1907), the villa was originally owned by Song Duanfu, a silk merchant in Hangzhou, hence it was commonly known as Song Villa. During the Republic of China period, it was sold to the Guo family, hailing from Fenyang, leading to its renaming as “Fenyang Villa,” colloquially known as Guo’s Villa.
The villa can be divided into three main sections: the inner pool, the outer pool, and the residential area to the east and south of the inner pool. It stands as one of the most intact private gardens in Hangzhou. With pavilions and terraces by the lakeside, a boat dock, and water features connecting to the West Lake, the villa is adorned with delicate rockeries, creating a picturesque landscape. The “Jingsuge” pavilion within the villa faces the Su Causeway, offering splendid views of the outer lake and earning the title of the “Crown of Classical Gardens of West Lake.”
Guo’s Villa not only incorporates the garden-building techniques of Suzhou gardens but also showcases features with distinct characteristics of Shaoxing. For instance, the villa features two ponds: one with a natural form, adorned with lake stones and meandering corridors, reminiscent of Suzhou gardens and comparable to the elegance of the Master of the Nets Garden; the other, a square pond built with stone slabs, clearly reflects the style of Shaoxing.
The villa is divided into two parts: “Jing Bijiu” (the quiet residence) and “Yijing Tiankai” (a panoramic view). It follows a typical layout of front residence and rear garden. “Jing Bijiu” serves as the residential area, where the owner lives and entertains guests. The interior furnishings exude elegance and antiquity. “Yijing Tiankai” constitutes the garden area, a meticulously crafted water-themed garden. The owner introduced water from the West Lake into the garden, creating a pond named Su Chi, which resembles a mirror. Alongside the pond are various pavilions and terraces, including “Xiangxue Fenchun,” “Chengfeng Yao Yue,” “Liangyi Xuan,” “Shangxinyuemu,” “Jingsuge,” and “Rumu Chunfeng.”
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 0.5 – 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | 10 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0571-87986026 |
Location and Transportation
Guo’s Villa is located at 28 Yanggongdi Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, on the western side of West Lake. To get there, you can take bus 318, West Lake Inner Ring Line, or West Lake Outer Ring Line, and get off at Guozhuang Stop (郭庄站).
