DOCSLIB.ORG

Zen out in Suzhou on National Garden Meditation Day, May 3 Achieve Total Relaxation Amidst the Natural Beauty of Suzhou’S Classical Gardens

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Zen out in Suzhou on National Garden Meditation Day, May 3 Achieve Total Relaxation Amidst the Natural Beauty of Suzhou’S Classical Gardens Zen Out in Suzhou on National Garden Meditation Day, May 3 Achieve total relaxation amidst the natural beauty of Suzhou’s classical gardens New York, New York (April 11, 2018) – The divine tranquility of Suzhou’s beautifully manicured classical gardens, nine of which have been collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are must-see sites for any visitor to China. Due to their impeccable preservation, these graceful gardens have seemingly stood still for thousands of years and are the perfect place to unplug and find serenity on National Garden Meditation Day, May 3. Tour packages offer a variety of ways to experience the Zen of Suzhou’s classical gardens. Award-winning tour operator Audley Travel offers custom-designed vacation packages showcasing the best of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site gardens. “Our experienced travel specialists use their personal knowledge from either having lived or traveled extensively in Suzhou and throughout China to create personalized, one-of- a-kind journeys that let them experience this scenic region in a way that other travelers sometimes miss,” said Andrew George, Audley Travel. Suzhou’s Classical Gardens Classical Chinese gardens are created as flawless miniature landscapes and emphasize a profound harmony with nature. Regarded as masterpieces of this genre, Suzhou’s gardens are unique from other gardens around the world as they each contain five main characteristics: water, buildings, flowers, trees, and rocks. Suzhou’s elaborate private gardens, once owned by scholars and wealthy families, date back to the sixth century B.C., but it was not until the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644– 1911) dynasties that Suzhou’s garden art reached its zenith. Today, guests are welcome to visit and wander the paths of the city’s more than 60 preserved gardens, enjoying fragrant flora, rippling ponds, and quiet pavilions along the way. While enjoying the countryside feel and communing with nature, visitors will discover why Suzhou is often referred to as “Heaven on Earth.” Suzhou’s nine UNESCO World Heritage Site Gardens are: 1. The Humble Administrator's Garden - Suzhou’s largest garden is considered the archetype of classical garden design 2. The Lingering Garden - Famous for its striking architecture and vast corridors adorned in ancient inlaid calligraphy 3. The Master-of-Nets Garden - Suzhou’s smallest garden boasts an intricate design and creates the illusion of a much larger space 4. The Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty - Captivates with soaring mountains and cliffs, deep caverns and stone houses 5. The Canglang Pavilion - A flawless union of architecture and nature, it is the oldest garden in Suzhou and home to a mesmerizing forest of weeping willows, viridian bamboo, and other ancient trees 6. The Lion Forest Garden - Full of whimsical rock formations and imposing man- made mountains 7. The Garden of Cultivation - With its mist-cloaked hills, deep springs and placid pools, its beauty is commanding 8. The Couple's Retreat - A romantic oasis set between three restful canals and a bevy of dramatic pavilions and verdant landscaping 9. The Retreat & Reflection Garden - Located in the picturesque water town of Tongli, the garden is notorious for its pavilions that seemingly float atop the pond’s peaceful surface For additional information or to browse tour packages that highlight these gardens in Suzhou and more, visit www.TravelToSuzhou.com. About Suzhou Suzhou, the "Venice of China," is known for its elegant stone bridges, canals, flowing water, and noteworthy architecture. Located in the center of the Yangtze River Delta, approximately 60 miles west of Shanghai, Suzhou is one of the oldest cities in the Yangtze Basin dating back more than 2,500 years. The city boasts the beautifully manicured Classical Gardens of Suzhou, nine of which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each year, millions of tourists travel to Suzhou to experience the destination’s more than 400 attractions, ranging from pagodas and temples to historical districts and world-class museums. As the largest industrial city in China, Suzhou continues to develop, such as the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), which boasts five-star hotels, the iconic Lake Jinji, and Asia’s largest Ferris Wheel. Travel to Suzhou is easily accessible via three convenient area airports with non- stop flights from North America: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) offers bullet train service to Suzhou, which is approximately a 50-mile, 30-minute trip; Pudong International Airport (PVG) is approximately 65 miles from Suzhou, an hour and half drive; and Sunan Shuofang International Airport (WUX) is approximately 14 miles from Suzhou, a 30-minute drive. For more information on Suzhou please visit www.TravelToSuzhou.com, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. # # # Media Contact: Ashley Norman PHG Consulting [email protected] Tel: +1 646 465 9775 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Suzhou Museum
    江 苏 Culture Scenery Gourmet Useful Info © Xie Guanghui Introduction & Map 苏州简介&地图 of SUZHOU Cultural Suzhou is one of the oldest cities in China. Canglang Pavilion, Lion Grove 历史文化 History Garden, Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden are iconic cultural sites built in the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties respectively. Small bridges and running brooks at the ancient towns of Luzhi, Tongli and Humble Administrator's Garden Zhouzhuang spell out exquisiteness for the city. The Tianping Mountain in the southwest Suzhou is one of the four major Being one of then famous landscaped gardens in Suzhou, built in Ming maple viewing attractions in the country. dynasty, this garden is designed base on a waterbody, surrounded by pavilions, rock sculpture, and lush greenery which resemble the Southern Chinese’s fond of appreciating the natural splendours. N LIANYUNGANG Night Tour in Master of the Nets Garden XUZHOU Built since the Southern Song dynasty, the highly notable garden introduced night SUQIAN tour to tourists since year 1990, which is now HUAI'AN highly recommended by UNESCO as one of the must-visit tourist product ones should YANCHENG not miss. During the night tour, tourists will be able to listen to ancient operas and experience themselves the thoughtfully planned landscapes. © Chu Kit YANGZHOU NANJING TAIZHOU Zhouzhuang Water Town NANTONG ZHENJIANG Built since the Northern Song dynasty, the water town now features 60% WUXI CHANGZHOU architecture from the Ming and Qing Beijing dynasties. Canals run through the town SUZHOU and bridges connect the neighbourhood Shanghai Jiangsu from one end to another. Its beautiful Province SHANGHAI sceneries are a testament to the town's fame as the 'Venice of the East'.
    [Show full text]
  • Classical Gardens Adorn the City Nine of Suzhou’S Gardens Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List, Xu Xiao Reports
    Friday, May 1, 2015 CHINA DAILY 2015 Suzhou 18 Suzhou special World Table Tennis Championships Classical gardens adorn the city Nine of Suzhou’s gardens inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage list, Xu Xiao reports. he classical gardens of Suzhou, Liu Shu, an official during Emperor Qian- Jiangsu province, which were for- long’s reign in the Qing Dynasty. After exten- mer private estates, represent the sive renovation, he renamed the estate Cold T highest level of China’s traditional Green Village. gardening and have set a benchmark for In 1873, the garden was bought by retired Chinese classical garden design. Qing Dynasty official Sheng Kang and was The Suzhou gardens, which are renowned renamed Liu Yuan — or Lingering Garden. for their rich landscaping in a limited space, Sheng Kang’s son Sheng Xuanhuai, a span thousands of years. senior official in the ministry of industry Historical documents said locals began to during the late Qing Dynasty who was hon- build gardens when the city, which was then ored by later generations as the “father of known as Gusu, became the capital of the Wu China’s modern industries”, inherited the Kingdom some 2,500 years ago. garden. During his ownership, the garden The local gardening design matured in the became the best known of all Suzhou’s gar- Song Dynasty (960-1279) and flourished in dens. the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) In 1957, Lingering Garden was opened to Dynasties. the public. In 1964, it was listed by the State Today, there are more than 60 well-pre- Council as one of China’s four most famous served classical gardens in Suzhou, 19 of classical gardens.
    [Show full text]
  • Systematic Method for Monitoring and Early-Warning of Garden Heritage Ontology Used in the Suzhou Classical Garden Heritage
    Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management ISSN 1648–6897 / eISSN 1822-4199 2020 Volume 28 Issue 4: 157–173 https://doi.org/10.3846/jeelm.2020.13785 SYSTEMATIC METHOD FOR MONITORING AND EARLY-WARNING OF GARDEN HERITAGE ONTOLOGY USED IN THE SUZHOU CLASSICAL GARDEN HERITAGE Jie ZHAO1, Rikun WEN1*, Wen MEI2 1School of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forest University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, PR of China 2Suzhou World Cultural Heritage Classical Garden Protection and Supervision Center, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR of China Received 05 April 2020; accepted 13 October 2020 Highlights X This article refines monitoring indicators and evaluation standards for garden heritage ontologies. X Quantifies monitoring data of garden heritage ontologies. X Specifies early-warning gradation which can exhibit further damage level for garden heritage. X Constructs garden heritage monitoring and early-warning grading model based on fuzzy cluster analysis. X Obtains early-warning gradation results for architecture, ancient tree, rock, water and furnishing heritage. X Spatial distribution map of early-warning grade was obtained. Abstract. Taking garden heritage ontologies as the object, this paper explores monitoring and early-warning methods of heritage based on fuzzy cluster analysis. A monitoring and early-warning system for garden heritage ontologies is designed and consists of monitoring indexes, a monitoring program, monitoring data collection, application of an early-warning grading evaluation model and conclusion of early-warning grading. Taking the Suzhou classical garden heritage as an ex- ample, it can be concluded that the systematic method can integrate various qualitative and quantitative index values and collectively reflect the overall state of garden heritage ontologies as well as match a heritage monitoring ontology with an early warning grade by calculating the data similarity matrix, membership matrix, fuzzy similarity matrix, fuzzy equivalent matrix and cut matrix.
    [Show full text]
  • This City in China Has the Most Unesco-Recognized Gardens in the World
    This City in China Has the Most Unesco-Recognized Gardens in the World Suzhou has more than 60 gardens dating back to 600 AD, and nine have collective World Heritage status By Jennifer Billock smithsonian.com July 23, 2018 1:31PM The rise of the Tang Dynasty, beginning around 618 A.D. and continuing through the early 900s, saw the formation of myriads of gardens throughout China, particularly in the city of Suzhou. Today, this modern-day suburb of Shanghai is dotted with elaborate and well-preserved classical gardens and zigzagged with canals and bridges that draw comparison to Venice and Amsterdam. The gardens in and around Suzhou are believed to have evolved from the tradition of imperial hunting grounds dating as far back as the 3rd century B.C.—but at the time of their creation many centuries later, the gardens in these parts were not intended for hunting, despite their likely origins; nor were they designed as a quiet place to sit and reflect on the day. Rather, the ability to create and own a lush private garden was considered a symbol of wealth and social status. “They were obviously places of quiet and contemplation, but this interior, introspective enjoyment was coupled with the desire to invite in their colleagues and show off the cleverness of their garden designs and the erudition in naming their gardens’ halls and pavilions and even their choices of poetic couplets sprinkled around the grounds,” Stephen Koss, author of “Beautiful Su: A Social and Cultural History of Suzhou, China,” told Smithsonian.com. The gardens in Suzhou followed a traditionally Chinese style, consisting of endless combinations of four primary elements: water, rocks, plants and structures.
    [Show full text]
  • Itinerary for 2014 Shanghai Tourism Festival with Optional Extension Tours to Suzhou / Hangzhou and Beijing
    P a g e | 1 *** NOTE: SOME PRICES STILL SUBJECT TO MINOR ADJUSTMENT *** Itinerary for 2014 Shanghai Tourism Festival with Optional Extension Tours to Suzhou / Hangzhou and Beijing Note: Blue underlined items are live links that you can follow for more information. Sept 10 Depart U.S. for Shanghai. Cross International Dateline and lose one day. Sept 11 Arrive in Shanghai in late afternoon, where we will be met by our tour guide. Transfer to hotel and check in. Sept 12 Visit People’s Square and Shanghai Museum in the morning. The Museum, located in People’s Square, has a collection of over 120,000 pieces, including bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, furniture, jades, ancient coins, paintings, seals, sculptures, minority art and foreign art. 7:30 PM: Arrive at Shanghai Biyue Middle School and prepare for rehearsal. 10:00 PM: Rehearsal (sorry, can’t tell whether this is beginning or end – I think it’s the end) Meals: B, L, D Sept 13 A chance to sleep in and rest up for the parade! 4:30 PM: Arrive at Shanghai Biyue Middle School and prep for parade 7:30 – 9:30 PM: Opening Ceremony and Grand Parade of Shanghai Tourism Festival Meals: B, L, D Sept 14 Public show (time and location TBD) Visit the Jade Buddha Temple in the morning. After lunch visit Silk Museum for an educational tour of the entire process from growing and feeding the silkworms to collecting the silk threads and the factory production of silk textiles. Night cruise on Huangpu River. From Rose Zhou: “Huangpu River, the Mother River of Shanghai, is also regarded as the symbol of Shanghai.
    [Show full text]
  • A Cluster Analysis Comparison of Classical Chinese Gardens with Modern Chinese Gardens
    ABSTRACT A CLUSTER ANALYSIS COMPARISON OF CLASSICAL CHINESE GARDENS WITH MODERN CHINESE GARDENS By Yiwen Xu Garden designers and scholars are interested in the differences and similarities between traditional design and modern designs. This investigation examines the similarities and differences of classical Chinese gardens and modern Chinese gardens. The comparison is accomplished by ordinating the design elements and basic principles for each garden. Three classical Chinese gardens in Suzhou, China and five modern gardens in Xiamen, China were selected to study. A mathematical method called Cluster Analysis was applied in this research. Seventy-five variables were selected from literature review and site photos. According to the result of Principal Component Analysis, the eigenvalues represent seven meaningful dimensions can be used for analysis. This research focused on studying the first two principal components for the garden comparison. The results indicate that the first principal component can be a way to identify the difference between classical Chinese gardens and modern Chinese gardens. The second principal component indicates the modern gardens can be grouped into two different categories. Keywords: Landscape Architecture, Environmental Design, Historic Gardens, Contemporary Gardens, Horticulture, Historic Preservation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to thank my major advisor Dr. Jon Burley, FASLA, Professor, Michigan State University School of Planning, Design and Construction, for his patient guidance and invaluable assistance through all stages of my work. I am grateful to my other two committee members, Dr. Patricia Machemer and Dr. April Allen, professors in Michigan State University School of Planning, Design and Construction, for all the advices, support and encouragement. I would also like to thank Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • 12 Day 2 for 1 China Odyssey
    12 DAY 2 FOR 1 CHINA ODYSSEY EXPLORE BEIJING, ZHENGZHOU, SHANGHAI & MORE WALK THE GREAT WALL & TOUR THE FORBIDDEN CITY INCLUDES RETURN QANTAS FLIGHTS China draws you in with its magnetic atmosphere and mysterious culture, vibrant city life and serene gardens, iconic landmarks and bustling street life. Experience the contrasting landscapes of 'the land of the dragon' on this amazing 12 day two‐for‐one journey of discovery. Explore Beijing, Zengzhou, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai on this 12 day cultural odyssey. Marvel at the sheer size of Tiananmen Square and the ornate beauty of the Forbidden City. Walk the Great Wall; experience a high speed train trip from Beijing to Zengzhou; slow things down on a visit to Suzhou’s Lingering Garden; then, continue on to buzzing Shanghai. Includes international flights on Qantas Airways, 10 nights four‐star hotel accommodation and breakfast daily. Want to see more? The X’ian Upgrade will take you to the awe‐inspiring Terracotta Warriors & Horses Museum ‐ home to thousands of sculptures that simply have to be seen! Or, on the 18 Day Package with Yangtze River & Hong Kong Extension, discover the highlights of the Yangtze River on a four night cruise. See the Qutang and Wu Gorges, the Ancient Plank Road, and more! 1 ITINERARY 1 Day 1 [12 Day 2 For 1 China Standard Package] Australia – Beijing, China- Today depart from either Sydney, Melbourne, *Brisbane, *Adelaide, *Canberra, *Hobart or *Coolangatta for Beijing. Fly with Qantas Airways. Please note: Sydney customers will fly non‐stop to Beijing while Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, *Canberra, *Hobart or *Coolangatta customers will fly via Sydney.
    [Show full text]
  • Suzhou (China) Heritage Convention
    created intentionally by man as set out in paragraph 39 of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Suzhou (China) Heritage Convention. No 813bis History and Description History The Canglang Pavilion was built on the order of the Northern Song poet Su Sunqin in the early 11th century, on the site of an earlier, destroyed garden. During the Yuan and Ming Dynasties (1279-1644) it became the Mystical Identification Concealment Temple. Over succeeding centuries it was repeatedly restored, a tradition maintained by the People’s Nomination The classical gardens of Suzhou Republic of China (PRC). (extension) The Lion Forest Garden was created by a group of Zen Location Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province Buddhist disciples of the famous Abbot Tianni in 1342, during the Yuan Dynasty, as the Budhi Orthodox Monastery. State Party People’s Republic of China It acquired its present name because of a group of grotesque rocks and a bamboo forest, referring obliquely to a Buddhist Date 6 January 1999 legend. The garden, which attracted scholars and artists, was detached from the temple in the 17th century. Purchased by an industrialist in 1918, it was donated to the state after the foundation of the PRC. Justification by State Party The Garden of Cultivation was laid out during the Ming Dynasty, in the 16th century. Before receiving its present Four of the classical gardens of Suzhou (the Humble name, it was known first as Zui Ying Hall and then the Herb Administrator’s Garden, the Lingering Garden, the Garden of Garden. the Master of the Nets, and the Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty) were inscribed on the World Heritage The origins of the Couple’s Garden Retreat date back to the List in 1997 [under criteria i, ii, iii, iv, and v].
    [Show full text]
  • Tourism Identity in Social Media: the Case of Suzhou, a Chinese Historic City
    J.S. Kim, Y.W. Wang / Transactions of the Association of European Schools of Planning • 2 (2018) 63-80 63 Transactions of the Association of European Schools of Planning • 2 (2018) doi: 10.24306/TrAESOP.2018.01.005 TOURISM IDENTITY IN SOCIAL MEDIA: THE CASE OF SUZHOU, A CHINESE HISTORIC CITY a 1 b Joon Sik Kim , Yi-Wen Wang 2 (Received 15 September 2017; revised version received 11 April 2018; final version accepted 28 June 2018) Abstract In the context of tourism planning and promotion, there is wide acknowledgement that conceptualisations of tourism identity cannot be grounded merely in physical place, but should also encompass a wide range of factors including, for instance, cultural relations, tourist activities, and social networking. There are opportunities in late modern society for relating the identity of a city’s tourism with digitally-presented tourists’ perceptions and activities through social media studies. This research explores multiple research approaches to delineate the digital identity of Suzhou’s tourist destinations, as presented in online user-generated contents. It is hoped that this social media study can provide supplementary information for tourism bureaus and agencies to make informed judgements on effecting pertinent improvements to optimise existing tourism resources and create more enticing environments for tourists. The research follows a case study approach and conducts an empirical study on Suzhou, a Chinese historic city. The analysis of the results show that the social media study is potentially useful in identifying the key characteristics of particular tourist destinations from visitors’ perspectives that may also be helpful for the evaluation of tourists’ experiences.
    [Show full text]
  • Classical Chinese Gardens: Landscapes for Self-Cultivation
    Contemporary Urban Affairs 2018, Volume 2, Number 1, pages 33–44 Classical Chinese Gardens: Landscapes for Self-Cultivation Donia Zhang * Oxford Brookes University, UK A R T I C L E I N F O: A B S T R A C T Article history: This paper examines the design philosophy of classical Suzhou gardens in China, with Received 30 July 2017 regards to their natural and architectural elements on the moral education of the Accepted 07 Augusts 2017 inhabitants. Through studying the metaphorical connotations of garden elements, the Available online 08 Augusts author reflects on their propositions for contemporary environmental ethics, aesthetic 2017 appreciation, and moral education. As such, the article is structured around three Keywords: themes: classical Chinese gardens cultivating environmental ethics, classical Chinese Chinese landscape gardens cultivating appreciation of aesthetics, and classical Chinese gardens architecture; cultivating moral characters. The essay finally suggests that classical Chinese gardens Chinese garden; are landscapes for self-cultivation. Chinese philosophy; Ethics; CONTEMPORARY URBAN AFFAIRS (2018) 2(1), 33-44. DOI: 10.25034/ijcua.2018.3654 Aesthetics; Morality. www.ijcua.com Copyright © 2018 Contemporary Urban Affairs. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction interconnection between gardens and the A garden is a form of art that is related to nature universe from an earlier time. as well as culture. One aspect of their perpetual Historically in China, mountains were viewed as appeal to people is that in a garden, art and connections between heaven and earth, and science, mind and nature, finally intersect. Many water as a reflection of the vast emptiness of the world philosophies or religions regard the planet universe.
    [Show full text]
  • Supplementary Materials: Information of Garden Owners and Others
    Supplementary materials: Information of garden owners and others Name in English dates of birth and death Career and Status in English and Garden name in and Chinese Chinese English and Chinese Shen Chaochu 1649-1702 in charge of the collection, publication — 沈朝初 and translation of articles by the cabinet government 侍讀學士 李明 ？-682 feudal provincial or prefectural — Li Ming governor of Suzhou 蘇州刺史 Wei Yingwu 737-792 feudal provincial or prefectural — 韋應物 governor of Suzhou 蘇州刺史 Bai Juyi 772-846 feudal provincial or prefectural — 白居易 governor of Suzhou 蘇州刺史 Zhang Shicheng 1321-1367 a leader who established a regime at — 張士誠 the end of the Yuan Dynasty 元末明初群雄之一 Ren Hui Tnag Dynasty, details are a district defender Renhui’s Garden 任晦 not available 任晦園 Qian Yuanliao 887-942 the son of Qian Liu (Qian Liu was the South Garden 錢元璙 king of Ng-Yuih Kingdom.) 南園 吳越國王錢鏐的第六子 Qian Wenfen Period of Ng-Yuih the son of Qian Yuanliao East Garden 錢文俸 Kingdom (907-978), 錢元璙的兒子 東園 details are not available Sun Chengyou Period of Ng-Yuih the brother-in-law of Qian Yuanliao Sun Chengyu's 孫承祐 Kingdom , details are not 錢元璙的妻弟 Garden available 孫承祐池舘 Zhu Changwe 1041-1908 a director of book proofreading Le Pu 朱長文 秘书省校书郎 樂圃 Zhu Mian 1075-1126 a minion of Emperor Huizong Tongle Garde 朱勔 宋徽宗的宠臣 同樂園 Zhang Jie 1027-1102 a grand preoeptor Taohuawu Villa 章楶 正一品太師 桃花塢別墅 Su Shunqin 1008-1048 a civil official of subeditor Canglang 蘇舜欽 集賢殿校理 Pavillion 滄浪亭 Cheng Ju 1078-1144 an assistant magistrate of Wujiang Snail Cottage 程俱 County 吳江主簿 蝸盧 Han Shizhong 1090-1151 a general
    [Show full text]
  • Teaching Material Culture and Chinese Gardens at American Colleges
    ASIANetwork Exchange | fall 2012 | volume 20 |1 Teaching Material Culture and Chinese Gardens at American Colleges Han Li Abstract: The paper reflects upon the experience of designing and teaching a course on material culture and Chinese gardens. Involving traditional philosophy, ethics, religion, painting, calligraphy, craft, literature, architecture, and horticulture, a clas- sical Chinese garden can be considered a microcosm of Chinese culture. This essay discusses the textbooks and general organization of the course, particularly focusing on how students study the key elements (rocks, water, plants, and architecture) in building a Chinese garden. Some Chinese literature with representations of gardens that can be used for this class is also introduced. In addition, this essay uses two classical Chinese gardens built in the United States (the Astor Court and the Garden of Flowing Fragrance) to discuss the appropriation of “Chinese-ness” in different geographical, physical, and cultural environments. Finally, some available online resources and technologies that have enhanced student understanding of the subject matter are introduced. Keywords Material culture; Classical Chinese gardens; Suzhou; Yangzhou; Classroom Involving traditional philosophy, ethics, religion, painting, calligraphy, craft, literature, Han Li is currently Assistant architecture, and horticulture, a classical Chinese garden is a microcosm of Chinese culture. Professor in the Department As such, teaching Chinese culture through the lens of traditional Chinese gardens can be of Modern Languages and Literatures at Rhodes College. highly productive. In addition to being admired as works of art, Chinese gardens are at Her research interests include the same time valuable pieces of real estate. They have economic importance and func- seventeenth century Chinese tion socially as status symbols.
    [Show full text]