Traditional Chinese Gardens – An Oriental Wonderland with Scenery at Every Step

traditional Chinese gardens are vivid carriers of Chinese Culture, embodying the ancient philosophy of “harmony between man and nature” and aesthetic pursuits. Their gardening art emphasizes “learning from nature yet surpassing nature”, abandoning symmetrical layouts and adopting winding, virtual-real interlaced designs to create a spatial artistic conception of “seeing the big in the small”.

Jiangnan gardens are outstanding representatives of traditional gardens, among which Suzhou Gardens are listed in the World Cultural Heritage. The Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, Master of the Nets Garden and Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty each have unique features. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is famous for its water scenery, with winding pools and connected corridors, while the Lingering Garden is renowned for its exquisite architectural layout, where halls, pavilions, strange rocks and ancient trees complement each other.

Northern gardens are dominated by imperial gardens, such as the Summer Palace and Chengde Mountain Resort, which combine the grandeur of northern landscapes with the elegance of Jiangnan gardens. The Summer Palace integrates artificial buildings with natural landscapes by virtue of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, presenting royal majesty and ingenuity.

When visiting traditional gardens, pay attention to gardening techniques such as “borrowed scenery”, “framed scenery” and “leaking scenery”. Appreciate the cultural connotation of poems and plaques in pavilions, and experience the ancient people’s elegant taste of life among flowers, plants, mountains and rocks, immersing yourself in the unique charm of Oriental aesthetics.