The imperial families of yesteryear and private families throughout Chinese history have created numerous gardens that have becomeworld renownedfor theirbeauty and design.
Royal Gardens
Royal gardens have been a pet project of many emperors and empresses throughout China's long history. While gardens from the earliest dynasties have faded into history, manyQing-Dynasty (1644–1911) gardensremain. At one time, only members of the royal family and their guests or servants were allowed to experience the beauty of these massive garden complexes, but in modern times, they are open to ordinary people.
The Summer Palace
Beautiful lotus in the Summer Palace在北京市中心的西北角,苏mmer Palace isa well-preserved garden built during the Qing Dynasty. The imperial family spent summers at this garden during the 1800s and early 1900s in order to escape the heat of the Forbidden City complex. The garden featuresairy pavilions,verdant hillsanda central lakethat is ideal for boating.
Chengde Mountain Resort
The Imperial Mountain Resort in Chengde isthe largest royal Chinese gardenin existence. Twice as large as the Summer Palace, this garden espouses the most traditional elements of classic Chinese gardening, and contains features meant to represent famous scenic areas in China. The Manchu emperors would stop at Chengde Mountan Resort on their annual journey north.
Private Gardens
Private gardens in China aremore intimatethan the grand imperial gardens, buttheir simplicity offers a unique form of beauty. These gardens were often used for parties, such as those during the autumn moon festival. One important characteristic of many private Chinese gardens is a rockery.
Suzhou Gardens
The gardens ofSuzhouare well known throughout China. In fact, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee added these gardens to itsWorld Cultural Heritagelist in 1997 and they have been nominated asone of the Top Ten National Landscapes in China. One major characteristic of Suzhou gardens is their use of free styles that incorporate distinct artistic patterns in each garden. Some of the important and most treasured private gardens of the area include:
The Lingering GardenThe Humble Administrator’s Garden:This garden was created in 1509 and features a large water feature at its center. The garden is at its best when the lotus flowers are in bloom in late summer.
李ngering Garden:This garden was built in 1566 and encompasses Ming Dynasty garden styles.
李on Grove Garden:One of the oldest gardens in Suzhou, Lion Grove Garden was built in 1342 and features unusual rock formations hand picked by the original designers.
Master of the Nets Garden:This ancient garden, which is also known asWangshi GardenorFisherman's Garden, was first built in 1180, during the Song Dynasty, and brought to its present glory during the Qing Dynasty in the 1800s and early 1900s.
Itssmall, ornate and intimate designbrings to mind the mysteries of a long-gone era. At night, lanterns are hung in the garden and performances held in different pavilions and halls throughout the garden.
Huanxiu Villa:This Qing-Dynasty-era garden is made up of many man-made hills, a tranquil pool, impressive rockwork and pavilions from which visitors can enjoy the scenery.
Yangzhou Gardens
Yangzhou acts as a communication center between North China and South China, and hosts private gardens that incorporate the most impressive components of each area's characteristic garden styles. The Yangzhou gardens have beendeemed the best in the world by some, and their grandness and elegance remain unparalleled.
Ge Garden
The Ge GardenRockeriesare a prominent feature of Ge Garden (Ge Yuan /ger ywen/), and there are different rock forms arranged to presentthe beauty of each of the four seasons. By following a path around the garden, guests can experience all of the seasons in a single day. Large stalagmites in a bamboo forest represent springtime. Summer is indicated by lake stones around a lotus pool. The autumn view is best seen from atop the Huangshi Rockery. Snow rocks are displayed to bring to mind the beauty of winter.
He Garden
He Garden (He Yuan /her ywen/), which is also known as Jixiao Mountain Villa, features a winding corridor that brings visitors to every corner of the site. Built in the Qing Dynasty, this garden has influences of both traditional Chinese gardens and western architectural and garden styles, making itone of the best east-meets-west gardens in the country.
