Written by: Saram Maqbool
Posted on: December 07, 2023 | 
| 中文
The Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou, China
To anyone unfamiliar with the history of architecture, a garden may seem like a collection of soft and hard elements that make an outdoor space more pleasant to be in. While that may essentially be true, there's far more that surrounds these often-vast pieces of land, especially the ones that have been interwoven into the urban fabric for centuries.
In Pakistan, many would be familiar with the Mughal gardens in Lahore. The most prominent of these, the Shalimar Bagh, is a set of geometric pathways and divisions that strike a stark contrast with the chaotic order of the nature they embody. But just a little way off stands the ancient kingdom of China, where garden architecture is very different from what the Mughals created.
Xu Garden in Jiangsu, China
Central to the essence of ancient Chinese gardens is the harmonious integration with the natural landscape. Instead of imposing man-made structures onto the environment, these gardens artfully incorporate existing terrain, celebrating the innate beauty of the surroundings. Water features, rocks and plants are seamlessly incorporated into the design, creating a symphony of balance and serenity.
As opposed to straight pathways, Chinese gardens invite visitors to embark on a journey of discovery on winding paths that make their way through various natural elements. Each turn opens into a new visual experience, bringing with it soothing sounds and pleasant scents. The twists and turns evoke a sense of anticipation that makes the experience ever-changing, never creating a dull or monotonous moment. It is through such serpentine pathways that visitors are able to stumble upon hidden corners of the landscape, sometimes finding themselves completely alone and at peace in the midst of mother nature.
The Lingering Garden in Suzhou, China
Practically no part of an ancient Chinese garden is meaningless. Every rock, tree and architectural detail bears symbolic significance. Rocks, resembling mountains, often represent stability and endurance, while carefully chosen flora may convey a philosophical or cultural meaning. The careful placement of these elements transforms the garden into a living canvas, rich with layers of symbolism waiting to be unraveled.
The Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai
It's not just natural elements that turn these gardens into masterful works of art, but graceful pavilions and intricately designed pieces of architecture are also dotted across the landscape. These structures serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, offering shelter, viewpoints and spaces for contemplation. The architectural elements echo traditional Chinese design motifs, reflecting a deep cultural resonance. One of the most interesting elements are the windows adorning the pavilions or walkways. These offer varying views of nature, framing the beauty and harmony of a multitude of elements in geometric shapes.
Like Mughal gardens, Chinese landscapes also rely heavily on the use of water as an element for imbuing tranquility into the land. Streams that move along the winding pathways, small ponds with their own flora, and reflective bodies that add an ethereal layer to the genius of the landscape design are all integral elements of the gardens. The art of bonsai and penjing, the ancient Chinese art of cultivation of miniature trees and landscapes, is another exquisite feature of Chinese gardens. These carefully nurtured living sculptures symbolize the harmony between humanity and nature on a reduced scale, inviting viewers to appreciate the essence of the natural world in a confined space. The care that is given to these compositions is a testament to the nation's culture of respecting nature.
Yu Garden in Shanghai
Among the notable examples of ancient Chinese gardens are the Summer Palace, the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden and the Chengde Imperial Summer Resort. Each of these incorporates most of the same elements, albeit in different ways. The Lingering Garden is perhaps the most interesting. It doesn't draw one's attention right away, as the buildings are not as grand as in other designs. The ingenuity lies in how the land unfolds as you walk through it. It feels like a marriage of poetry and nature, with intricate window frames in winding corridors creating live paintings consisting of delicate rockeries and colorful plants. The garden unfolds like a series of verses, each nook and corner feeling like a stanza in an unspoken poem.
A view framed in the Lingering Garden of Suzhou
The Humble Administrator's Garden is another symphony of colors. The largest among the Suzhou Classical Gardens, it's an orchestra of zig-zagging pathways, unique architecture that became the inspiration for other classical gardens, and clean reflective ponds. The views framed from the different pavilions are all equally intriguing, lending a new perspective to each space they showcase.
The harmony and contrast of elements give Chinese gardens a calming aesthetic
As we wander through these ancient grounds, each garden reveals a unique chapter in China's rich cultural narrative. From the poetic retreats of Suzhou to the imperial splendor of Beijing, these landscapes stand as timeless witnesses to the artistry and philosophy that have shaped Chinese garden design for centuries. In their delicate beauty and enduring symbolism, these gardens invite us to immerse ourselves in a realm where nature and human creativity co-exist in perfect harmony.
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