Gardens are a type of landscape art created by the hands of human beings. Chinese gardens are not only one of China's traditional cultural treasures, but they are also a unique charm of human cultural heritage.

Literati gardens occupy an essential position among Chinese gardens — one of the three major genres of gardens in the world. The reason why literati gardens occupy an important position in classical Chinese gardens, and even in the entire system of traditional Chinese culture and art, lies in their exquisite architecture, exotic flowers and whimsical stones available for the exploration and appreciation of the literati. More significantly, gardens have provided a venue of daily life, academic writings, artistic creation, social gatherings, and other cultural activities for ancient Chinese scholars. Consequently, a wealth of traditional Chinese cultural factors is embedded in the intricate art of landscape architecture. The constant integration and interaction of traditional Chinese culture and gardens have in turn nurtured a unique Chinese garden culture.

Chinese gardens are a critical embodiment of Chinese culture, distinctly exemplifying the ancient Chinese patriarchal system, the cosmology, the personality ideal, and other cultural elements. The evolution of the cultural history of Chinese gardens is in harmony with the overall process of the Chinese cultural history.

This book describes the major genres, the characteristics, and the formation of classical Chinese gardens — as well as the relationship between classical Chinese gardens and classical Chinese culture and arts — in a more succinct, plain language. The publisher believes that this book will certainly provide the reader with an authentic and comprehensive overview of the Chinese garden culture.

Published by SCPG Publishing Corporation and distributed by World Scientific for all markets except China

Contents: Preface: Classical Chinese Gardens Represent the Crystallization of Ancient Chinese Art and CultureMajor Genres, Characteristics and Formation of Classical Chinese Gardens:Traditional Chinese Imperial State and China's Classical Royal GardensThe Formation and Cultural Implications of Chinese Literati GardensOther Genres of Classical Chinese Gardens and Their InteractionsThe Artistic Style and Landscape Elements of Classical Chinese Gardens:The Artistic Style of Classical Chinese GardensThe Landscape Elements of Classical Chinese GardensThe Artistic Techniques and Spatial Structural Principles of Classical Chinese Gardens:The Structural System of the Garden Scape and the Garden SpaceFrom “Observability” to “Visit-ability” — Constructing a Delicate and Rhythmic Garden Space Sequence and Garden Scape SequenceThe “Freehand” Approach and its Conceptualization of Classical Chinese Gardens:The Implication of “Freehand” in Classical Chinese ArtThe “Freehand” Approach in Gardening and the Function of Classical Imagery in Classical Chinese Culture and ArtClassical Chinese Gardens and Classical Chinese Culture and Art:Classical Chinese Gardens and Classical Chinese Literature — The Ubiquitous Beauty of Literary Brilliance in GardeningClassical Chinese Gardens and Classical Chinese Painting — The Promotion and Integration of Plastic ArtsThe Interactions between Classical Chinese Gardens and Related Artistic Genres — The Comprehensive Inclusion of Gardening as a Cultural Art Complex EmbodimentClassical Chinese Gardens and Classical Chinese Philosophy — Constructing Subtle, Elegant, and Profound Spiritual Dimensions through GardeningConclusions: The Potential Inspirations of Classical Chinese GardensRefenenceIndexReadership: Researchers, general readers interested in the Chinese garden culture.Key Features:Describes the major genres, the characteristics, and the formation of classical Chinese gardens, as well as the relationship between classical Chinese gardens and classical Chinese culture and artsIn a more succinct, plain language

Yi Wang