Artistic Concept of Chinese Gardens: Part 4

Building Temples, Streets and Taverns

Temples are always an indispensable part of Chinese gardens, especially imperial gardens. On one side, this is because of emperors belief in Buddhism, and on the other side because of the unique views that religious temples create. Sometimes temples could become the major scenes or the center of garden composition. The tranquility and serenity of temple create an unearthly atmosphere.

The Everlasting Blessing Temple and its Lama Tower were built in the Jade Flower Islet in the North Sea Park. The Tower of Buddhist Incense and the Sea of Wisdom Hall in the Summer Palace were built on the south mountainside and ridge of the Longevity Hill. These Buddhist-style structures are the landmark and the center of garden composition of these two imperial gardens because of their outstanding views and unique locations.

To the east of Xu Mi Ling Jing Temple in the middle of the rear part of the Longevity hill in the Summer Place, there stands a temple named Hua Cheng Ge, which is not large in size. Inside the temple, there is a small-scale octagonal glazed tile pagoda. Windbells hung under the eaves of each floor of the pagoda will chime when wind blows over, displaying an unworldly atmosphere.

Contrasting with the building intentions of the above structures, the Shopping Street in the Houxi River in the Summer Palace created a real scene of worldly life for emperors who were isolated from the outside world-shops standing side by side and shop signs swaying in the wind. Though an artificial scene, it displayed garden owners yearning toward busy city life. Walking inside, one as if sees the bustle of the waterside street in Suzhou or hears the songs from the Qin Huai River in Nanjing, which stirs great interests of visitors.

source: Chinese Gardens, published by China International Press