I've visited the Humble Administrator's Garden in spring a few years ago, and it left a good impression. This weekend I re-visited it – apparently in peak season, according to the tickets – and, unsurprisingly, it was very crowded. Either way, this one seems to have the most reviews so I’ll focus on other gardens I visited instead. 

Nearby is the Lion Grove Garden. It is significantly smaller than the Humble Administrator’s, but interesting nonetheless. As soon as you enter, you will notice them: the rockeries. A LOT of rockeries. Clearly, they are the major landscaping feature of this garden. Unfortunately, it was impossible to make any good photos of Lion Grove, since it was very crowded, and people tend to stand on each and every rockery that can be climbed on. 

To the south is Canglang Pavilion. Apparently its layout is the oldest of all the Suzhou Gardens. Its elevation seems to vary a lot, and the garden area is partially overgrown. This garden seemed the most compact of the ones I’ve visited. The view across the lake would have been nice, if not for the group of cars parked right next to it. Directly north is the Ke Garden, and while it is not a part of the WHS, I enjoyed it as well. Its flatness and tidiness really contrast with the “wildness” of Canglang Pavilion, and it's not so crowded. It is possible to buy a combined ticket for both gardens at the same stand. 

And finally, the Lovers’ Retreat (or Couple’s Retreat). There were almost no visitors in this one – and that’s in peak season! It is very popular among people getting photographed in traditional costumes. The larger garden zones are to the west and east accordingly, while most of the territory comprises of buildings connected by corridors and paths with the occasional greenery. The Lovers’ Retreat is dominated by buildings by such a degree that it makes me question what even qualifies as a garden at this point. 

While all four of the gardens have the same general style, their structures and features are very different. Thus, I think that all of these are worth visiting. Despite the peak-season crowds, I enjoyed all of the gardens, and would definitely revisit Suzhou to see the others ones I’ve missed.