From 514 B.C., the King of Wu Kingdom started to build these gardens. From the Tang Dynasty to the Northern Song, it slowly developed, reaching its height in the Ming Dynasty.
At one point, there were almost 300 classical gardens in Suzhou. The construction of the gardens was on the verge of perfection, with a specific division of labor. The famous architect, who designed the Forbidden Palace in Beijing, was hired from Suzhou. There are hints of the classical gardens within the Forbidden Palace. There was also a study on the construction of the gardens and two of the most representative works were written in the Ming Dynasty¡­
It was during the Ming Dynasty that these classical gardens reached their peak.
The Ming Dynasty, from 1368-1644, was a period of restoration and reorganization after Mongol rule, returning China to Chinese rule. This period is known for its strong and complex central government. Likewise, the country also witnessed a boom in wealth and culture, notably in areas like Suzhou.
 Chinese classical gardens have had an international influence. The Japanese modified the concepts and developed a garden also based on natural composition. In the 17th century, Europeans, likewise, tried to build these gardens, even though they had little understanding of the complex aesthetics upon which they were based.