Description
Book SynopsisWalk with landscape architect and scholar Ron Henderson through seventeen of Suzhou's classical Chinese garden masterpieces. This insightful guide is fully illustrated with newly drawn plans, maps, and original photographs.
Trade Review"Henderson, a talented landscape architect and designer himself, offers a helpful representation and unique tour of this collection of some of China's most famous gardens. . . . He sees the gardens afresh and leads one through, pointing out what is special, what is ordinary, separating the generic from the unique, the lighthearted from the grand. He is sensitive to their subtlety, nuance, wit, seasonality, perfume, sounds, twists and turns, drawing out aspects of their poetic nature. . . . I would love to be in Suzhou on a cool spring day and to set out in the morning with this guide in my pack. . . . to visit these places, to sit in them sipping tea while reading his thoughtful observations and wry comments, turning to his directions for the next path or garden. In this [book] are wisdom, perception, and genuine guidance." * Laurie Olin, University of Pennsylvania *
Table of ContentsPreface
Visiting the Gardens
Map of Suzhou
Introduction
Architecture in the Gardens of Suzhou
THE GARDENS OF SUZHOU
Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Yuan)
Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan)
Lion Grove (Shizilin)
Surging Wave Pavilion (Canglang Ting)
Master of the Nets Garden (Wangshi Yuan)
Garden of Harmony (Yi Yuan)
The Couple's Garden (Ou Yuan)
The Garden of Cultivation (Yi Pu)
The Mountain Villa of Embracing Beauty (Huanxiu Shanzhuang)
The Mountain Villa of Embracing Emerald (Yongcui Shanzhuang)
Crane Garden (He Yuan)
Zigzag Garden (Qu Yuan)
Carefree Garden (Chang Yuan)
GARDENS NEAR SUZHOU
Garden of Retreat and Reflection (Tuisi Yuan), Tongli
Garden of the Peaceful Mind (Jichang Yuan), Wuxi
Garden of Peace and Comfort (Yu Yuan), Shanghai
Garden of Ancient Splendor (Guyi Yuan), Nanxiang
Other Gardens in Suzhou and Region
Comparative Plans
Plants in the Gardens of Suzhou
Stone in the Gardens of Suzhou
Glossary
Suggested Readings
Index
Acknowledgments
