From imagination sparked by a textbook article to the physical exploration of classical Chinese gardens of the Jiangnan region, this essay documents my personal journey through nine renowned gardens in Wuxi, Suzhou, Yangzhou and Nanjing. Walking along winding bridges and through artificial hills, I experienced the authentic scale and texture of these gardens, gaining insights into the ancient Chinese philosophy of the "Harmony between humans and nature" where painting-like scenery, the elegance of nature, and the philosophy of life are masterfully blended.