Royal Gardens explores the development of Chinese imperial gardens, from the Shang dynasty to the Qing dynasty. In ancient China, garden architecture developed from a primitive state to to a highly sophisticated endeavor, with natural beauty reigning as the main theme of garden building. The size and opulence of imperial gardens increased dramatically as time passed. Gardens were conceived as hunting grounds for emperors, but gradually evolved into sanctuaries for rest, relaxation and meditation. Therefore, imperial gardens are generally located in or near seats of Imperial power. As China developed politically and economically, the accumulation of wealth made the building of a great variety of gardens possible. In these gardens, royal families indulged in a variety of activities, such as playing chess, giving banquets, and holding hunting parties. Due to the passing of time and destruction from war, most of the imperial gardens no longer exist today. Some from the Ming and Qing dynasties have been well preserved, and many of those are depicted here, with exquisite photography and detailed descriptions. Royal Gardens includes 131 color photographs, 16 illustrations and figures, and 2 maps, including paintings and drawings of ancient gardens, layout plans of royal summer palaces, and gorgeous photography of the natural beauty of China. Cheng Liyao provides the reader with detailed descriptions of various imperial gardens, offering great insight into an important part of Chinese architecture.

Royal Gardens: Private Gardens of the Imperial Family (Library of Ancient Chinese Architecture)

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Liyao, Cheng

Gardening & Landscape Design

CN Times Beijing Media Time United Publishing Company Limited

Private Gardens traces the origin and evolution of ancient China’s private gardens. In ancient China, private gardens were built for the personal enjoyment of aristocrats, government officials, merchants, and landed gentry. Gardens were also common in the residences of poets, artists, and hermits, providing them with sanctuaries for meditation and relaxation. Modeled after the imperial gardens, private gardens were mostly concentrated in cities and their suburbs, and they emerged in the 5th and 6th centuries. The most spectacular of these private gardens were built in Beijing and in the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Private Gardens includes 148 color photographs, 21 illustrations and figures, 3 charts, and 2 maps, immersing the reader in the gardens of ancient China. Cheng Liyao explores the techniques of landscape architecture, including building rock gardens, placing stones and trees in harmony, and treating water surfaces. Private Gardens details the artistry of these man-made gardens, their layout and design, and explores how landscapes were created and how water was manipulated into forming streams and lakes. This book includes many of the famous gardens existing in China today, illustrating details of their construction, building form, and style. Winding walkways, ornamental windows, and masterfully planned scenery all serve to acquaint the reader with the splendour of the private gardens in China.

Private Gardens: Personal Gardens of Ancient China (Library of Ancient Chinese Architecture)

The imperial gardens were elegant resorts for all forms of entertainment. Rapid developments in Chinese society, the economy and the arts lent great impetus to the construction of elaborate and elegant imperial parks, while the technical virtuosity of the waterways and a preference for exotically formed rockeries produced enchanting and constantly changing man-made worlds. The genre reached its zenith with the uanmingyuan garden, generally accepted as one of the finest of its kind ever created in China.

Ancient Chinese Architecture Series, Imperial Gardens

Arts & Photography

Architecture

Springer

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Books by Liyao, Cheng