Renowned in the world history of gardens, Chinese gardens enjoy a rich heritage. Imperial gardens existed in the Zhou dynasty over three thousand years ago. China's diverse city gardens have earned a place in the world's three systems of gardens.

Chinese garden architecture includes both grand imperial gardens and delicate private ones. They are all fine combinations of natural beauty and man-made scenery. The running water, hills and stones create an artistic ambience with exquisite layouts of flowers, trees, gardens, bridges, and inscribed boards and scrolls hung on hall pillars.

Chinese gardens can be classified into three types. One is the reflection of practical theories, moral and political emphasis and the sense of social responsibility that are all highly valued by Confucianism.

Another class is the supernatural reflection of the natural and peaceful cultivation advocated by Taoism. Another type of garden is the natural reflection of the owner's emotions aroused by the gardens. The well-known imperial garden, Yuanmingyuan or the old Summer Palace, the ancient Constant Taoist Temple of Sichuan's Qingcheng Mountain and gardens owned by some literati are respective examples of these three types of Chinese gardens.

Unlike Chinese gardens, their western counterparts have a strong emphasis on geometric principles and construction. Chinese gardens incorporate the belief that man is an integral part of nature and therefore give a lot of attention to the natural scenery and the feelings of visitors.

Suzhou Gardens
Included on the World Heritage List in 1997, Suzhou's ancient gardens typify the artistic characteristics of Chinese gardens. The history of Suzhou gardens reaches back more than two thousand years. There are at least ten famous gardens left today. They are usually small gardens with artificial hills, trees decorated with natural Chinese scenery and poetry of the Tang and Song Dynasties. The layouts of the pavilions, ponds and bridges build complete and harmonious scenery despite their small size. Among the most well known Suzhou gardens are the garden of the Surging Waves Pavilion, the Canglang Pavilion, Lion Grove Garden, Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden.

Yuanmingyuan/The Old Summer Palace

The most famous imperial garden in China, the Old Summer Palace in Beijing combines architectural styles of gardens from different parts of China. It also borrows some western architectural styles which make it even more splendid and fascinating. The Old Summer Palace, which is also known as the garden of gardens, also enjoys fame in Europe and has substantially influenced eighteenth century European gardens. Despite its influence, the palace was burned and destroyed in 1860 by British and French armys.